Welcome Aboard!

During our 2015 delegate meeting on May 11, we welcomed a new member to the TLSP board, Mark Roemke. Here's an introduction to Mark and a bit about our eight returning board members.Mark Roemke is a farmer and an active member of Zion Lutheran Church in Woodburn. Mark's family has deep roots in Lutheran schools. "My grandchildren are the fifth generation to attend Woodburn Lutheran School. I feel it is the utmost importance that we promote and continue to support our schools. I believe that TLSP is a gift, as well as a tool, for our schools to use for spreading the Word and creating excellent academics."Returning board members include:Stephanie Paradine works for the development office at Concordia Lutheran High School and is a member of Concordia on Lake. "I know firsthand The Lutheran Schools Partnership's resources and find them extremely valuable to the future success of our area schools," Stephanie says.Beth Kitson is a financial associate with Thrivent Financial and a member of Zion-Friedheim Lutheran Church in Decatur. Reflecting on her family's involvement with Lutheran schools and the benefits derived, Beth says, "Lutheran Schools continue to keep Christ at the center of it all. Now it is my generation's turn. I'm excited to promote our Lutheran Schools and advance the learning opportunities for our children."Zach Hayden is a small-business owner and member of St. John in Kendallville. Zach is a product of Lutheran schools and finds them even more vital to the Church than ever before. "The world is getting more and more hostile to Christianity, and that is going to make the work Lutheran schools do even more important and more difficult. It's at these times we need to make sure we're standing firm and preparing the next generation of Christian soldiers!"John Weber is assistant principal and director of advancement for Central Lutheran School in New Haven. Lutheran education is in his DNA. He considers Lutheran education to be "vital in our mission to share the Gospel to all" and TLSP "will enhance our ability to fulfill the Great Commission."Heidi Adair is an attorney for Beers Mallers Backs & Salin and an active member of Emmanuel Lutheran in Fort Wayne. Lutheran education, elementary and high school, is "one of the biggest blessings and sources of support to our family," Heidi says.Axel Gruen is principal of St. John-Emmanuel Lutheran School and a member of St. John Lutheran Church (Flatrock). TLSP was part of the draw that brought Axel from the West Coast to rural Indiana. "The added value that TLSP provides to all the Lutheran schools in northeast Indiana is enormous, and I make sure to tell everyone the benefits both the school and I receive from the partnership."Karl Davis is a Navy veteran and formerly worked in various capacities for Raytheon. He's a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne and has been serving as chair of the TLSP board. His fondness for Lutheran schools is centered around those who gained his respect as pastors and teachers: "Men and women like Pastor Edwin Nerger, Gene and Marty Burger, Neil Reincke, Art Pinnow, Linda Knopf ... to name just a few of the many who blessed my life through their devotion to Christ and to Lutheran education," he says.Rev. Douglas Punke is pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne and a strong supporter of Lutheran South Unity School. A U.S. Air Force vet and former college professor of mathematics and computer science at Lyon College in Batesville, Arizona, Douglas didn't have the benefit of a Lutheran education, but learned that a good education is a main ingredient in the recipe for success. More importantly, he says, "I've discovered that good education, coupled with growth 'in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,' is what makes a Lutheran education something of infinite worth."You can see that we have a board that's invested in Lutheran schools in many ways. You can be sure that their efforts will continue the good work that's led TLSP in its endeavors since it was established six years ago.