St. Luke Member Named LHF Executive Director

Rev. James Fandrey, who with his wife, Ruth, is a member at St. Luke, has been called as the executive director of the Lutheran Heritage Foundation (LHF). LHF is one of St. Luke's mission partners for 2009.

Rev. Fandrey's installation service took place at St. Luke on Jan. 11. Rev. Dr. William Hoesman, president of the Michigan District LCMS, performed the rite of installation, while Rev. Steve Bagnall was liturgist. Rev. Dr. James Hoke, a retired missionary and U.S. Army chaplain, gave the sermon.

The Fandreys joined St. Luke in 2008. Prior to accepting the call to LHF, Rev. Fandrey served as a parish pastor to churches in Nebraska, Minnesota and Illinois. He also was a Nebraska District vice president and a member of the LCMS Board of Directors. Rev. Fandrey began his service at LHF in December 2006, directing work in church relations.

Over the past three years, St. Luke has sponsored several LHF mission projects (click here to learn about our 2009 projects). "When St. Luke members give their offerings to LHF, they're helping people all around the world to better understand God's Word in their own languages," said St. Luke pastor, Rev. Bert Thompson. "We're pleased to welcome Jim and Ruth to St. Luke, and we're very happy to have yet another tie to LHF."

To learn more about the Lutheran Heritage Foundation, visit their website at www.LHFmissions.org.

Photo: The Rev. James E. Fandrey and his wife, Ruth.