July Ministry Theme: Meet the Staff – Lois Stewart

July 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.

If you have attended a school chapel, educator conference, professional development event, or Call Committee meeting within the Northern Illinois District, chances are you have crossed paths with Lois Stewart.

For the past eight and a half years, Lois has served as the District’s Mission Facilitator for Schools, supporting commissioned church workers, contracted teachers, youth leaders, and school ministries throughout northern Illinois. Her work includes visiting schools, leading chapel services, assisting Call Committees, developing and presenting professional development opportunities, and planning conferences that encourage and equip educators for ministry.

Before joining the District staff, Lois served as a teaching principal, an experience that gave her firsthand knowledge of both the joys and challenges facing Lutheran schools. That background continues to shape her work as she partners with educators and school leaders across the District.

What Lois enjoys most about her role is the opportunity to walk alongside church workers and educators, offering support, encouragement, and resources as they serve God’s people. Whether visiting a school, leading a workshop, or simply being present to listen, she values the relationships she builds and the opportunity to provide assistance where it is needed most.

Lois and her husband, Ron, have been married for 18 years. Ron works in commercial real estate, annuities, life insurance, and a variety of business ventures. Together they enjoy the blessings God has provided through family, work, and ministry.

A favorite Bible passage for Lois is Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” These verses have served as a foundation throughout her life, reminding her that true security is found in trusting God’s guidance and direction. She believes that every step of her journey has been shaped by the Lord’s faithful leading and that His wisdom continues to provide strength and confidence each day.

Lois traces her call to church work back to two influential teachers from her childhood. Her second-grade teacher, Mrs. Matz, and her fourth-grade teacher, Mr. Giordano, demonstrated what it looked like to love students while allowing Jesus to guide their work. Their example inspired Lois to pursue a vocation where she could share Christ’s love with children every day. She is also grateful for the encouragement of her family, who recognized her passion for education and supported her calling to serve in Lutheran schools.

For Lois, education is about much more than academics. It is an opportunity to nurture faith, encourage growth, and help students, teachers, and families experience the love of Christ. Through her work with schools across the District, she continues to support and equip those who are faithfully sharing that message every day.

We are thankful for Lois’s work with the LCMS Northern Illinois District, and we pray for God’s continued blessings on her and her family.