Meet Our Team

Executive Board

The Executive Board is comprised of the elected Conference Officers which include a chair, vice-chair, and secretary, an appointed conference treasurer, chairperson of Faith and Life Committee, Trustee Committee, and Church Planting and Renewal Committee and the District Minister.

The Executive Board is the administrative governing body of the Conference when the District Ministries Council is not in session and shall generally carry out the duties of the District Ministries Council in the interim. It provides leadership for Conference vision, direction, and oversight.

Members of the CD Executive Board are:

• Lynn Schneider, Chair, Huron, SD
• Jesse Swiers, Vice-Chair, Callaway, MN
• Melissa Hanna, Secretary, Omaha, NE
• Richard Walter, Treasurer, Bridgewater, SD
• Daniel Rodriguez, Ex-Officio-District Minister, Omaha, NE
• Dan Strutz, Faith and Life Chair, Yale, SD
• Joh Quiring, Trustee Chair, Hampton, NE
• Christian Kohs, Church Planting and Renewal Chair, Owatoanna, MN

District Ministries Council

The District Ministries Council Members include the district minister, elected conference officers, and appointed treasurer, all members of Faith and Life, Trustee, and Church Planting and Renewal Committees.

Faith and Life Committee

The Central District Faith and Life Committee watches over the spiritual welfare of the churches and advises and aids them when serious questions relating to doctrine, conflict, and church polity arise. The Faith and Life Committee licenses and ordains pastors based on the request of local churches and the qualifications of individuals seeking credentialing.

The Faith and Life Committee coordinates ongoing theological training for pastors and churches. Another function is to plan Pastor’s Retreats to provide fellowship and enrichment to pastors of the Central District.

Members of the Faith and Life Committee are:

• Dan Strutz, Chair, Yale, SD
• Stephen Stout, Omaha, NE
• Anthony Lind, Huron, SD
• John Langer, Gettysburg, SD
• Samuel Hailemariam, Avon, IN
• Melissa Hanna, Secretary, Omaha, NE

Trustee Committee

The Trustee Committee conducts all legal business and financial matters of the Conference in harmony with the mission and vision of the churches of the Central District.

Members of the Trustee Committee are:

• John Quiring, Chair, Hampton, NE
• Eden Baer, Vice-Chair, Rochert, MN
• Jedrey Baumann, Fort Pierre, SD
• Phil Hamburger, Seneca, SD
• Susanna Strutz, Mountain Lake, MN

Church Planting and Renewal Committee

Church Planting and Renewal Committee seeks opportunities for new church plants and is responsible for the general supervision of all church planting and church renewal works of the Conference. They guide and aid in the nurture and training of church plants and renewals to become self-sustaining, missionally minded, and discipleship oriented.

Members of the Church Planting and Renewal Committee are:

• Christian Kohs, Chair, Owatonna, MN
• Scott Crook, Gettysburg, SD
• Hunegnaw Bekele, Sioux Falls, SD
• Mike Wall, Omaha, NE
• Mike Andrews, Wolf Point, MT

Youth Committee

The Youth Committee promotes activities that creates deeper spiritual life, unifies Conference young people, and better acquaints them with the work and aim of the Conference.

Members of the Youth Committee are:

• Jon Annin, Chair, Omaha, NE
• Jon Petersen, Rapid City, SD
• Amber Davidson, Ogema, MN
• Abby Giwojna, Rapid City, SD