The Mid-South District - LCMS

Celebrating In Style at the Mid-South District

LCMS President, Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison, delivered the evening’s keynote address.
LCMS President, Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison, delivered the evening’s keynote address.

The Mid-South District celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a banquet on October 17 in Little Rock, Arkansas.  Over 200 guests were on hand for the event, which was generously sponsored by Concordia Plan Services, Lutheran Church Extension Fund and Thrivent Financial.

The district was honored to host a very special guest speaker for the evening: LCMS President, Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison.  He connected the observance of the district’s jubilee year to the upcoming 500th anniversary of the Reformation.  President Harrison’s talk reflected on the life of Martin Luther and the defining moments that forged the Lutheran legacy we share today.

 

The district was also blessed to have three past presidents in attendance to take part in the program with current president, Rev. Dr. Roger Paavola.  Rev. David Callies (third president of the district), Rev. Norman Groteluschen (second district president) and Rev. Ken Lampe (fourth district president) each manned the podium for various segments of the program. Throughout the night, speakers were expertly introduced by the banquet emcee, Rev. Paul Donner.

The president and vice presidents of the Mid-South District commemorated the evening through a photo with LCMS President, Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison, the banquet’s special guest speaker. Pictured are (L to R) Rev. Paul Hass, Rev. Dr. Roger Paavola, Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison, Rev. Jim Walter, Rev. Charles Neugebauer and Rev. Rich Elseroad.
The president and vice presidents of the Mid-South District commemorated the evening through a photo with LCMS President, Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison, the banquet’s special guest speaker. Pictured are (L to R) Rev. Paul Hass, Rev. Dr. Roger Paavola, Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison, Rev. Jim Walter, Rev. Charles Neugebauer and Rev. Rich Elseroad.

Guests also enjoyed a brief video about the Mid-South District’s 50-year history.  The district is most grateful to Ted Mahn of LakePointe in Hot Springs, Arkansas for sharing his production talents and time on this project.  LCMS members and congregations across the district are encouraged to visit vimeo.com/midsouthlcms to view and download the nine-minute video.

The gathering of so many Mid-South friends presented an excellent opportunity to invite support for one of the district’s most cherished service organizations, Trinity: HOPE, which provides meals for children, teachers and cooks in Christian schools in Haiti.  Banquet guests responded generously to the gift opportunity, giving just over $3,000 to Trinity: HOPE.

The Mid-South District is thankful for the many guests, sponsors and coordinators who made the 50th Anniversary Banquet such a memorable success.  By providing a grateful nod to the District’s past and a hopeful gaze to its future, the event was a fitting way to conclude the observation of our jubilee year.

Vocalist Erin Bode entertained guests during a pre-banquet hospitality hour.
Vocalist Erin Bode entertained guests during a pre-banquet hospitality hour.
Many banquet guests, like Rev. Carl and Gwen Wenck, stopped by the 50th Anniversary photo booth.
Many banquet guests, like Rev. Carl and Gwen Wenck, stopped by the 50th Anniversary photo booth.