April 2026

“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ…” Ephesians 4:11-12

Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, Indiana and Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri both held Call Day services the last week of April 2026. These Candidate Call and Vicarage and Deaconess Internship Assignment services signal an end to one portion of a student’s education and lead to a new beginning for those students as they begin their direct work in service to the Lord and His people.

We celebrate with those who recently received vicarage and deaconess internships and pastoral and diaconal calls. We are grateful for the men and women at both seminaries preparing to enter into professional church work, and especially those who will soon begin in these new internships and calls. The LCMS Northern Illinois District is one of many districts blessed to have received some of these students in their new placements.

Calls and Assignments to the LCMS Northern Illinois District

From Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN: (services held April 28, 2026)

Call Candidate

William H. Ebel, III, Pastor, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Oak Lawn

Jacob Shepard, Pastor, Zion Lutheran Church, Chebanse

(L-R): NID President Rev. Dr. Allan Buss, LaNe Ebel, William Ebel, Jacob Shepard, Marizza Shepard

From Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO: (services held April 28-29,2026)

Call Candidates

Josiah Sandcork, Pastor, St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Lemont

(L-R): NID President Rev. Dr. Allan Buss, Josiah Sandcork, Amanda Sandcork

 

Both seminaries recognize and celebrate calls throughout the year, although the primary Call Day celebrations are held in April. On Call Day, second-year students receive their assignments for vicarages and deaconess internships and concluding students receive their first calls to ministry. All calls and assignments for service are to churches or ministries within The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS).

We thank God for the blessings received through those serving our congregations.

 

WELLNESS: Promoting and encouraging health and vitality in congregations, schools, ministries, professional workers, and lay-leaders.

Call Days 2026