
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
The Workbook for the 2025 Mid-South District Convention is now available to view, download and print. After opening the PDF file, you may use the bookmarks/document outline feature to easily navigate the document.
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
2025 Ballot for District President
2025 Ballot District Regional Vice President Region 1
2025 Ballot District Regional Vice President Region 2
2025 Ballot District Regional Vice President Region 3
2025 Ballot District Regional Vice President Region 4
2025 Ballot District Secretary 2025 Member-Congregation
2025 Ballot Synod Nominations Committee Ordained or Commissioned 2025 Member Congregation
2025 Ballot District Nominations Committee Ordained 2025 Member Congregation
2025 Ballot District Nominations Committee Commissioned 2025 Member Congregation
2025 Ballot – District Nominations Committee Lay 2025 Member Congregation
2025 Ballot Circuit Visitor Chattanooga
2025 Ballot Circuit Visitor Fayetteville
2025 Ballot Circuit Visitor Fort Smith
2025 Ballot Circuit Visitor Johnson City
2025 Ballot Circuit Visitor Jonesboro
2025 Ballot Circuit Visitor Knoxville
2025 Ballot Circuit Visitor Little Rock North
2025 Ballot Circuit Visitor Little Rock South
2025 Ballot Circuit Visitor Memphis
2025 Ballot Circuit Visitor Middle Tennessee
2025 Ballot Circuit Visitor Nashville
2025 Ballot Circuit Visitor Paducah
2025 Ballot Circuit Visitor Stuttgart
2025 BOD Commissioned Member Congregation
2025 BOD Lay Member Congregation
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])
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