OFFICIAL NOTICE

The 22nd Regular Convention
Mid-South District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Memphis, Tennessee

Thursday, June 12 (mid-afternoon) to Saturday, June 14, 2025 (mid-afternoon)

The Hilton Hotel — 939 Ridgelake Blvd., Memphis, TN 38120; Phone: 901-684-6664

Theme: “Christ: The Church’s One Foundation” – 1 Corinthians 3:10-11

Opening Service with Holy Communion
Thursday, June 12, 2025, at 7:30 p.m.
Christ the King Lutheran Church, 5296 Park Avenue, Memphis, TN 38119
Preacher: The Reverend Peter K. Lange, First Vice-President,
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Agenda: 2025 Convention Agenda

2025 CONVENTION WORKBOOK – Revised 5.22.2025

The Workbook for the 2025 Mid-South District Convention is available to view, download and print. After opening the PDF file, you may use the bookmarks/document outline feature to easily navigate the document.

NOTE: The Convention Workbook was revised/updated on 5.22.2025 to include the following new overtures –

REGIONAL CIRCUIT MEETINGS FOR DELEGATES

The following circuit meetings have been scheduled for Convention Delegates to attend. At these informative sessions, President Paavola will review the District Convention process, workbook overtures and answer any questions Delegates may have. Delegates may contact Missy Washburn in the District Office to select their preferred meeting:

KNOXVILLE, TN – MAY 7, 2025
Grace Lutheran Church
9076 Middlebrook Pike / Knoxville, TN 37923
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

JACKSONVILLE, AR – MAY 15, 2025
Hope Lutheran Church
1904 McArthur Drive / Jacksonville, AR 72076
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

NASHVILLE, TN – MAY 27, 2025
Our Savior Lutheran Church
5110 Franklin Road / Nashville, TN 37220
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

FORT SMITH, AR – JUNE 2, 2025
First Lutheran Church
1115 North D Street / Fort Smith, AR 72901
7:00 p.m.– 9:00 p.m.

MEMPHIS, TN – JUNE 5, 2025
Mid-South District Office
1675 Wynne Road / Cordova, TN 38016
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Slate of Candidates

The candidates for positions to be elected at the 2025 Mid-South District Convention are listed below. NOTE that an asterisk (*) indicates an incumbent candidate:

District President Candidates

The Rev. Dr. Roger Paavola*
The Rev. Curtis Hoover
The Rev. Eric Longman
The Rev. Lane Reuter
The Rev. Clayton Sellers
The Rev. Joshua Willadsen

Regional Vice-Presidents: Region 1

The Rev. Joshua Willadsen*
The Rev. Gerald Heinecke
The Rev. Kevin McReynolds

Regional Vice-Presidents: Region 2

The Rev. Kevin Conger*

Regional Vice-Presidents: Region 3

The Rev. Andrew Abraham
The Rev. Curtis Hoover
The Rev. David McMinn
Rev. Phillip Young

Regional Vice-Presidents: Region 4

The Rev. David Graves
The Rev. Derek Roberts
The Rev. Donald Welmer

District Secretary

The Rev. Larry Peters*
The Rev. Jonathan Beyer
The Rev. Wille Grills
The Rev. Eric Rudsenske

Mid-South District Board of Directors – Commissioned Minister: Regions 1 & 2

Mr. Aaron Jackson
Ms. Jacquelyn Magnuson

Mid-South District Board of Directors – Commissioned Minister: Regions 3 & 4

Mr. Matthew Fischer
Ms. Jessica Irwin
Mr. David Topp

Mid-South District Board of Directors – Lay: Region 1

Mr. Jeffrey Pittman*
Mr. Lou Martinelli

Mid-South District Board of Directors – Lay: Region 2

Ms. Karilyn Brown*
Mr. Keith D’Atrio

Mid-South District Board of Directors – Lay: Region 3

Ms. Amanda Cordray
Mr. Tim Hanusa
Mr. Gregg Lynch
Mr. Ken Priest

Mid-South District Board of Directors – Lay: Region 4

Mr. Dustin Heidel
Mr. Levi Nunnink

Mid-South District Nominations Committee – Ordained:
Regions 1 & 2

The Rev. David Vandercook*
The Rev. Eric Longman

Mid-South District Nominations Committee – Ordained:
Regions 3 & 4

The Rev. Derek Roberts*
The Rev. Gregory Bauch
The Rev. Terry Tieman

Mid-South District Nominations Committee – Commissioned:
Regions 1 & 2

Ms. Jacquelyn Magnuson

Mid-South District Nominations Committee – Commissioned:
Regions 3 & 4

Ms. Jessica Irwin*
Ms. Amy Kurtz

Mid-South District Nominations Committee – Lay: Regions 1 & 2

Mr. Jeff Roper*
Mr. Lou Martinelli

Mid-South District Nominations Committee – Lay: Regions 3 & 4

Ms. Heidi Davidson*
Mr. Tom Bathe
Mr. Ed Mell
Mr. James Mountjoy

Synod Nominations Committee – Ordained/Commissioned

The Rev. David McMinn
The Rev. Stewart Marshall
The Rev. Derek Roberts
The Rev. Jon David Zischke

* Denotes Incumbent

Initial Nominations Report

The Initial Nominations Report (March 15, 2025) is prepared by Mid-South District Secretary, Rev. Larry A. Peters. Please note that the following is not a final ballot, but simply a report of those nominated:

Initial Nominations Report – 3/15/25 (updated to reflect consents and declinations to date)

Overtures

Overtures must be submitted by March 15, 2025 to the Mid-South District President, Rev. Dr. Roger Paavola (Mid-South District – LCMS / 1675 Wynne Road / Cordova, TN 38016).

Sample Overture Template (with logo)

Convention Registration

Pastor Delegate Registration Letter
Delegate Registration Card PASTOR

Lay Delegate Registration Letter
Delegate Registration Card LAY

Advisory Delegate Registration Letter
Delegate Registration Card ADVISORY

EXHIBITOR INFORMATION

Exhibitor Letter
Exhibitor Agreement Form 2025
Meals and Lodging Guests

NOTICE TO ALL CONGREGATIONS

Remember that although you may download these forms, they must be filled out on paper, signed, and returned to the appropriate mailing address. Please pay special attention to the deadlines and note that your window to submit names of nominees expires February 12, 2025.

To be eligible, all nominations must be postmarked BY February 11, 2025.

Please remember the following deadlines to submit nomination ballots and convention resolutions:

Member Congregations
2025 Convention Nomination Letter
For Your Reference

Individual Rostered
2025 Convention Nomination Letter Rostered Workers
For Your Reference

2025 Ballot District Secretary 2025 Individual Member
2025 Ballot District Nominations Committee Ordained 2025 Individual Worker
2025 Ballot District Nominations Committee Commissioned 2025 Individual Worker
2025 Ballot District Nominations Committee Lay 2025 Individual Worker
2025 BOD Commissioned Individual Worker
2025 BOD Lay Individual Worker
2025 Ballot Synod Nominations Committee Ordained or Commissioned 2025 Individual Worker

NOMINATION BALLOTS FOR DISTRICT PRESIDENT
NOMINATION BALLOTS FOR DISTRICT REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENTS
NOMINATION BALLOTS FOR BOARD OF DIRECTORS (Commissioned and Lay)

Deadline: February 11, 2025
To be sent to the Mid-South District Secretary
Rev. Larry Peters
Mid-South District – LCMS
1675 Wynne Road, Cordova, TN 38016

NOMINATION BALLOTS FOR DISTRICT SECRETARY
NOMINATION BALLOTS FOR DISTRICT NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE

Deadline: February 11, 2025
To be sent to the District Nominations Committee c/o Mid-South District President
Rev. Dr. Roger Paavola
Mid-South District – LCMS
1675 Wynne Road, Cordova, TN 38016

REPORTS, MEMORIALS AND OVERTURES TO BE PRESENTED TO THE DISTRICT CONVENTION
Deadline: March 15, 2025
To be sent to the Mid-South District President
Rev. Dr. Roger Paavola
Mid-South District – LCMS
1675 Wynne Road, Cordova, TN 38016

NOMINATION BALLOTS FOR CIRCUIT VISITORS

Deadline: One day before the Circuit Forum
To be sent to Each Congregation’s Respective Circuit Visitor
(Each Circuit Forum will be held at the District Convention or as scheduled by the individual Circuit
per Synod Bylaw 5.2.2 [a])

OFFICIAL NOTICE

The 22nd Regular ConventionMid-South District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri SynodMemphis, Tennessee

Slate of Candidates

Initial Nominations Report

Overtures

Convention Registration

NOTICE TO ALL CONGREGATIONS

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Mid-South District

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The 22nd Regular Convention
Mid-South District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Memphis, Tennessee