2023 July — Summer News from CTSFW

Summer News from CTSFW

Dr. Don Wiley Granted Tenure and Promotion

The Board of Regents at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW), acted to grant tenure to Dr. Don Wiley and promote him in rank from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Missions. Wiley, who joined the faculty on a full-time basis in 2018, teaches courses in the Master of Divinity and Doctor of Philosophy in Missiology programs and oversees the Spanish track of the Seminary’s SMP program. In addition, he serves as Director of the SMP Program and Chairman of the Department of Pastoral Ministry and Missions. Wiley’s service to the church also includes several years as an LCMS missionary in the Republic of Panamá and twenty years as a pastor in two congregations in California.Dr. Don Wiley, Associate Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Missions, preaches at a symposium for students of the Pastoral Formation for Latin America (FPH) program, held in January 2023 in the Dominican Republic. (Photo: Jana Inglehart)

“Dr. Wiley has been a great blessing to our students and his colleagues who have benefitted from his missionary, parish, and academic experiences as he has served CTSFW in recent years,” said CTSFW Provost Dr. Charles Gieschen. “His skills in Spanish have helped students here and abroad. The faculty rejoices that his many contributions were recognized with tenure and a promotion.”

Student Mission Trip to Riga

In May, a group of CTSFW students traveled to Riga, Latvia, with Dr. Detlev Schulz, Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Mission, to learn about ongoing mission work in Eurasia, with a focus on the Luther Academy in Riga. The tour also encouraged students to prayerfully consider future mission work. Local missionaries Rev. Dr. Quintin and Lindsay Cundiff and Eurasia Volunteer Coordinator Chelsea Irwin organized the tour, which began with some of Latvia’s heavier history hidden in the Rumbula Forest Holocaust Memorial. The tour continued through the streets of Riga, where students visited churches of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia, museums, and the nearby towns of Jurmala and Sigulda.Students from CTSFW departed shortly after 2023 Commencement at CTSFW for an international mission trip to Riga, Latvia.

The tour was made possible by the LCMS Office of International Mission and the Eurasia Region Mission Team in Riga, with administrative and logistical support from Eli James, International Student Coordinator at CTSFW.

Christ Academy Family Institute “Hits the Sweet Spot”

The inaugural Christ Academy Family Institute, the newest Christ Academy offering, was held at CTSFW June 15–17, with a focus on equipping parents with the skills needed to raise Godly families. Indiana District President Dr. Richard Stuckwisch, who attended the event, shared a reflection on the Indiana District website, noting that Rev. Matt Wietfeldt and the CTSFW Admission team “hit the sweet spot their first time at bat with this new effort.” To read Stuckwisch’s entire article, see “Family Catechesis in the Word of God and Prayer.” Dr. Todd Peperkorn, Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Missions, presents a session at the inaugural Christ Academy Family Institute June 16, 2023, at CTSFW. 

2023 Christ Academy High School Sets New Enrollment High

This summer’s Christ Academy High School saw record-breaking attendance with 92 students participating—57 young men in Timothy School and 35 young women in Phoebe School. During the course of the two-week Academy, young men and women take eight different classes in theology taught by CTSFW faculty, and they worship together four times a day. There are also numerous fun activities built into the schedule throughout the two weeks. The next Christ Academy High School will be held June 16–29, 2024.Students gather for the annual group photo at Christ Academy High School June 19. 

Organists Hone Their Skills

CTSFW hosted two organist workshops in June, one for beginners and one for intermediate and advanced learners. “This was by far the youngest group of organists we’ve ever taught,” said Kantor Kevin Hildebrand, who served as an instructor along with Associate Kantor Matthew Machemer and Dean of the Chapel Dr. Paul Grime. “This has great implications for church music now and in the future!”One of the teenage participants in the Beginner Organist Workshop practices the selection she chose for the workshop as several others watch.

LCMS National Convention: July 29–August 3 in Milwaukee, WI

We’re looking forward to seeing alumni and friends at the upcoming Synod convention in Milwaukee. If you’re in the neighborhood, please stop by the joint seminary booth and say hello!

Save the Dates

We have some exciting events coming this fall at CTSFW. To learn more, visit our events page at ctsfw.edu/events.

• Opening of the 178th Academic Year: September 5
• Christ Academy Confirmation Retreat: September 22–24
• Seminary Guild Donation Day: October 10
• Prayerfully Consider Visit: October 12–14
• Christ Academy College: October 27–29
• Luther Hostel: November 1–3
• Good Shepherd Institute Conference: November 5–7