Ruth Schaller & Su Hansen

WITH

Ruth Schaller & Su Hanson

DESCRIPTION

In this session, Ruth and Su will highlight how prayer and the power behind it was used throughout Acts by the early Christians and apostles in order to be empowered to proclaim! As they point out examples from Acts, Ruth and Su will also share similar personal prayer experiences throughout their years as seasoned prayer warriors. Finally, they will lead attendees in a discussion on creative ideas of prayer in more modern, digital times and settings.

 

 

BIO

Ruth Schaller
Ruth SchallerIn her 84 years, Ruth has played many roles—first and foremost as a blessed daughter of the King. She has been a wife and widow twice, and a natural, foster, and step-parent. She also has served as a family nurse practitioner, a university instructor, and an editor/author. She has been deeply involved in issues related to health care and developmental disabilities, and in women’s ministries and Mission to the Children in Mexico.

Su Hanson
Su HansenSu and her husband reside in South Carolina. They have raised three children and have four grandchildren, ages 8 through 24. Su is founder of Comforter Ministry, a Christian quilt ministry for women diagnosed with cancer. She served as the director of Comforter Ministry for 17 years. Her love of God’s Word has led her to write faith-based articles, devotions, Bible studies, and topical presentations. She has also served as a speaker and led women’s Bible studies.

Donn Dobberstein

WITH

Rev. Donn Dobberstein

DESCRIPTION

On Holy Thursday, Peter got called out by a servant girl and caved in to fear. Days later, he’s standing as spokesman before a crowd of thousands, boldly saying, “Jesus is Lord and Christ.”

In this breakout, we will track Peter’s journey from fear to boldness and apply it to your journey. What’s holding you back? What does an “emboldened you” look like? What impact could this have on relationships God has directly placed you in? What if there were practical resources to help you on your journey? Empowered by the Spirit and gifted with grace, you can change, just like Peter.

BIO

Since growing up in Lutheran parsonages throughout the Midwest, Donn served mission parishes in Topeka, Kans. and Port Orange, Fla. for twenty-two years. Additionally, he served on the Nebraska District Mission Board and South Atlantic District Evangelism Commission. In 2004, he was appointed to the WELS Commission on Evangelism and served as chairman from 2007-2017. He has presented for the WELS Schools of Outreach, Telling the Next Generation workshops, and past National Conferences on Worship and the Arts. In November 2017, he accepted the call to be director of WELS Discipleship (a merger of adult discipleship and youth and family ministry). Donn is married to Beth, an art teacher in the Palmyra-Eagle, Wis. school district where they live. They have four children.

Steve Hansen

WITH

Steve Hansen

DESCRIPTION

We all experience firsthand the world that we live and work in: a world that does not recognize Jesus as Lord of all creation—a world that does not acknowledge the saving work of Jesus, saving work that has rescued us from our sins and through faith promises eternity with him in heaven. And that is just the beginning. We live in a world that is still governed by the words of our Lord God in Genesis 3 to put hostility between those of the world and those who put their trust in Jesus. And we can sure feel that hostility. It is not easy. It is not fun. And it perplexes us when we try to understand what we may have done wrong to earn such treatment . . . perplexes us until we return to God’s Word and lean on Jesus instead of our own understanding.

In such a world that is openly hostile to Jesus and his followers, how are we to be effective leaders in our vocation, that station in life the Lord has assigned to us? How are we to honor our Lord with our decisions, plans, strategy, and approach when these can turn those we collaborate with against us? We all hold tight to the promise of our place being secure in the kingdom that is coming. But how do we have confidence to lead in our world when so many openly criticize what we stand for?

In this presentation, thoughts and experiences will be shared that will provide some leadership guidance in how to approach such situations and reflections that point us back to Jesus, our strength in time of need. This side of eternity there are no remedies to end such difficulties; however, we can draw lessons from God’s Word and apply them as we put our faith into action in our vocation and life.

BIO

Steve Hansen is a business executive, engineering leader, and technical innovator in the medical and industrial x-ray device industry with the demonstrated ability to generate organizational vision, transform into executable plans, build and inspire team support, and deliver new and exciting commercial products.

Steve has held numerous leadership roles with increasing responsibilities, including President of Nikon X-Tek Systems, Ltd. (UK); Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & Chief Technical Officer (CTO) at Tribogenics, Inc.; Vice President of Research & Development and Chief Operations Officer (COO) at Oraya Therapeutics, Inc.; and Vice President of Research & Development at Xoft microTube. Previously, Steve spent 15 years at GE Medical Systems in various roles of technical and organizational leadership including Manager, Global X-Ray Source Engineering, and Manager, Technical Development—Emerging Markets.

A technical expert in x-ray source design, production, and commercialization, Steve has over 35 U.S. patents related to x-ray source technology and the use of x-radiation in diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Steve holds foundational green-field patents in x-ray generation and has founded a company to grow this technology. Steve has a Master of Science and Bachelor of Science in Materials Engineering from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. He has been awarded the GE Dushman Award and was named the UW–Milwaukee College of Engineering and Applied Science alumni of the year. Steve has numerous performance awards and has publications on electronic thin-films.

Steve is the president of Gloria Dei in Belmont, Calif., and has served as the Arizona-California district lay representative on the WELS Synodical Council since 2012.

Katie Martin & Sarah Proeber

WITH

Katie Martin & Sarah Proeber

DESCRIPTION

Connections. Forged in the early Christian church. Important in today’s Christian church. Learn how connections contribute to our encouragement and position us to share Jesus with others. Hear about a unique approach to women’s ministry in a congregational setting. Learn how to dig into the analytics of your unique women-membership; hear ideas on how to partner that with your congregation’s overall ministry needs; and get strategies to foster deeper, genuine connections by meeting women where they are at in their seasons of life.

BIO

Katie Martin
Katie Martin currently lives in Jefferson, Wis., with her husband, Josh. They have four children (two who have grown and flown), one daughter-in-law, and a rescue dog named Kobe. Katie has followed her pastor husband to Minnesota, Texas, and Germany, where they lived for nine years until 2016. Katie is a former teacher and will graduate in May 2024 with a master’s in clinical mental health counseling. She has written for Forward in Christ and published her first book, Cherished Gifts, in 2013. Her passions are helping families grow in Christ, mental health prevention, writing, and traveling the world.

Sarah Proeber
Sarah ProeberSarah Proeber is currently the digital projects manager for WELS Communication Services. In this role she has helped WELS Women’s Ministry broaden its reach to the women of the synod. Sarah dives deep into analytics and data to help strategize and understand where ministry is going and what women are looking for. Always eager to connect women with each other, Sarah has been active in various congregations, creating ministry opportunities and connections. In addition, she has spearheaded an approach to ministry participation at the planning level, which allows women to get involved as they are able. Attend her breakout to find out more about that. Sarah is also a busy wife and mom of three rambunctious kids. She cannot wait to connect with you!

Angie Scharf

WITH

Angie Scharf

DESCRIPTION

As God’s children, each one of us can take advantage of new experiences by way of interacting with others, new (and sometimes “not-so-new”) programs, as well as furthering our knowledge through continuing education options. Angie will highlight just some of the varied opportunities that are available to empower our WELS laywomen to grow, learn, and serve in our faith.

BIO

Angie Scharf is a member at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in New Ulm, Minn. In addition to the most important title of “God’s redeemed child,” she has had varied vocational titles in her adult life including teacher, mission volunteer, crew administrator, and general manager. Angie currently serves as the Director of Women’s Services at Martin Luther College in New Ulm, where she gets the opportunity to work with and encourage some of our synod’s young adults as they prepare to serve in HIS kingdom.