Contributors

Rev. Matthew C. Harrison

Rev. Matthew C. Harrison is the 13th person to serve as president of the 2.4-million-member Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Based in St. Louis, the Missouri Synod is the second-largest Lutheran church body in North America.

Upon his election, Harrison asked for prayers and said he would “work as hard as I possibly can for unity around the clear and compelling Word of God and nothing else.”

Before becoming president, Harrison served for nine years as the executive director of LCMS World Relief and Human Care.

Rev. Herbert C. Mueller Jr.

Rev. Herbert C. Mueller Jr. is serving as first vice-president, and member of the praesidium, of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), a position he was elected to in 2010.

Previously, Mueller served as president of the LCMS Southern Illinois District from 1994 to 2010.

Dr. Raymond L. Hartwig

Dr. Raymond L. Hartwig is serving as secretary of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), a position he first elected to in 1998.

Previously, Hartwig served as president of the LCMS South Dakota District from 1988 to 1998.

Rev. Jon D. Vieker

Rev. Jon D. Vieker is the senior assistant to Rev. Matthew C. Harrison, president of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS).

Prior to joining the president’s staff in September 2010, Vieker served as assistant director for the LCMS Commission on Worship, a position he began in November 1998.

Barbara A. Below

Barbara A. Below is serving as assistant to Rev. Matthew C. Harrison, president of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS).  Below is the first woman to serve on the executive-level staff for an LCMS president.

Prior to joining the president’s staff in September 2010, Below, a licensed clinical social worker, served for six years as director of social ministry organizations for LCMS World Relief and Human Care, the disaster relief and mercy ministry of the Synod.

Dr. Albert B. Collver

Dr. Albert B. Collver III is serving as the director of church relations-assistant to Rev. Matthew C. Harrison, president of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS).

Prior to joining the president’s staff in September 2010, Collver was the executive pastoral assistant for LCMS World Relief and Human Care, the disaster relief and mercy ministry of the Synod, for four years.

Rev. Gregory K. Williamson

Rev. Gregory K. Williamson is serving his first three-year term as the chief mission officer of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. In this position, he is responsible to the LCMS President for the mission, ministry and programmatic functions of the Synod’s national office—serving as the President’s liaison to the Synod’s corporate entities; working closely with the Synod’s chief financial officer and chief administrative officer in carrying out their respective responsibilities; supervising the work of the Office of National Mission, Office of International Mission, fund development and communications departments; and providing leadership, coordination and oversight for pre-seminary, seminary and post-seminary education and advocacy for pastoral education and health within the Synod.

Prior to serving as Chief Mission Officer, Williamson served as command chaplain for United Nations Command (UNC), Combined Forces Command (CFC), and United States Forces Korea Command (USFK) at the U.S. Army Garrison-Yongsan, Seoul, where he advised the UNC/CFC/USFK commander on matters of religion, morale, morals and quality of life. He also coordinated policy and activities with Army, Navy and Air Force chaplains, and with staff and command chaplains at Combatant Commands and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.