August 2026
The LCMS Northern Illinois District is blessed to have a dedicated, faithful staff in place to serve the needs of congregations, schools, ministries, pastors, commissioned workers, lay leaders, and the many others members of our District. For the July and August Ministry Theme topics, we wanted to take time to introduce (or re-introduce) them to you!
We hope you find it helpful to learn a bit more about each of them.
Meet Rev. Dr. Allan R. Buss – District President
Whether visiting a congregation, leading worship, encouraging church workers, or meeting with lay leaders, Allan Buss enjoys being where ministry is happening. Since being elected District President in 2018, he has sought to strengthen relationships across the Northern Illinois District while encouraging congregations, schools, and ministries to faithfully proclaim Christ and serve their communities.
Before serving as District President, Allan spent 28 years in parish ministry. He served St. Peter Lutheran Church
in Gilberts from 1990–2000 and Immanuel Lutheran Church in Belvidere from 2000–2018. Looking back, he describes those years as a tremendous privilege, noting that the people in both congregations shaped him as both a pastor and a person while providing countless opportunities to share the saving love of Jesus.
Long before pastoral ministry, Allan’s first responsibilities were much closer to the ground. Growing up, he helped milk cows and bale hay, experiences that instilled a strong work ethic and an appreciation for faithful, everyday service. Those lessons continue to influence his approach to leadership today.
What Allan enjoys most about serving the District is spending time with God’s people. Visiting congregations, schools, and ministries allows him to witness firsthand the many ways Christ is at work throughout northern Illinois. He is continually encouraged by pastors, commissioned ministers, educators, and lay leaders who faithfully care for one another and boldly share the crucified and risen Savior in the communities where God has planted them. His conviction is simple: God brings His people together, and together we are stronger for His mission.
Family remains one of Allan’s greatest blessings. He and his wife, Marie, have four adult children, two of whom are married. Allan had the joy of officiating at both weddings, and together they are eagerly anticipating the arrival of their first grandchild later this year.
A favorite passage for Allan is Hebrews 12:1–3, which reminds believers to fix their eyes on Jesus and faithfully persevere in the race God has set before them.
When asked who influenced his journey into church work, Allan points first to the faithful pastors and Lutheran teachers who nurtured his faith through both their teaching and their example. He is also deeply grateful for the unwavering support of his wife, Marie, whose wisdom, patience, and gifts have strengthened both his life and ministry. Throughout the years, countless lay men and women in the congregations he served—and now throughout the Northern Illinois District—have continued to shape him into a wiser, more faithful pastor and servant leader.
For Allan, serving as District President is ultimately about pointing people to Christ. Whether encouraging a congregation, supporting a church worker, or celebrating a ministry partnership, his desire is to help the Church remain centered on Jesus Christ as together we confess, praise, and advance His Kingdom.
We are thankful for Allan’s work with the LCMS Northern Illinois District, and we pray for God’s continued blessings on him and his family.
