From the President: 18,000 Miles and Counting

Dear Friends in Christ,

As I write this note I’m settled into my office here in Fort Wayne, during the longest stretch of days at home, by far, this quarter. Since my installation on September 8, I’ve spent most of my time on the road, traveling from Rosebud, Alabama, to three of our Concordia University Schools to the California coast to Germany, with a few trips to St. Louis in between. Along the way I’ve met great supporters and been able to share with everyone I meet the eternal value of the work of our seminary in forming pastors and deaconesses for faithful service to church and world.

Much as I’ve benefited from being on the road, it’s been great, too, to be back here on campus, taking in events like last week’s fantastic Good Shepherd Institute, interacting with faculty and staff, and hosting Colloquium Fratrum gatherings for students in my office. Those sessions with students, in fact, have quickly become one of the things I most look forward to when I’m here on campus.

That’s because of the uniqueness of what happens on our campus. You can only imagine the ways in which our students grow and are transformed by living in the rhythm of our Christ-centered community. It’s intense. And we like it that way, because it’s only in that way that the Word of Christ comes to dwell richly in our students. Spend a day here and you’ll see what I mean.

Among the blessings I’ll count this coming Thanksgiving are God’s grace in maintaining our seminary and your prayers and support for what we do here. Thank you.

May the Lord grant all of you a happy and blessed Thanksgiving!

In Christ,

Jon S. Bruss
President
Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne

SEPTEMBER

Sunday, September 22: President Bruss attended the Dr. Rosa J. Young Memorial Celebration in Rosebud, Alabama, where attendees gathered to remember and celebrate the service of Lutheran educator Dr. Rosa J. Young.

OCTOBER

Dr. Bruss and Dr. Tim Puls, Director of Alumni and Church Relations and Advancement Officer at CTSFW, were able to squeeze in a few minutes of California sunshine between a Lilly Foundation training seminar and meeting with several dear CTSFW supporters.

Dr. Bruss and Dr. Thomas Egger, President of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, traveled to Wittenberg, Germany, in late October to meet with other Lutheran leaders at the International Church Relations Conference. (Pictured at the top of the email are conference participants with CTSFW ties.)

Snapped by Dr. Bruss at the International Church Relations Conference in Germany: A statue of Philipp Melanchthon (one of his favorite theologians).

NOVEMBER

The Boards of Regents from CTSFW and CSL met in St. Louis November 7–8 for their annual joint board meeting. Among the topics of discussion: Opportunities for the seminaries to collaborate.

CTSFW hosted the Third Annual Commencement of the International Lutheran Council’s Lutheran Leadership Development Program. Bishop Yohana Ernest Nzelu (South East of Lake Victoria Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania) received a Certificate of Theology in Lutheran Leadership for completing the program.

ON THE RADAR

We’re looking forward to Symposia Week at CTSFW January 21–24, 2025. Register before November 30 to get an early bird discount. Learn more and register at ctsfw.edu/symposia.REGISTER FOR SYMPOSIA