June 2026
And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” (Isaiah 6:8)
Each year, new graduates from our two Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod seminaries complete their advanced studies toward pastoral ministry. They have answered a call from the Lord—moving away home and family, perhaps leaving a career. Each of them definitely experiencing a shift to their life’s path. Now, having finished those studies, they anticipate another change—moving into congregational life and a new community and beginning to shepherd those they have been called to serve.
The LCMS Northern Illinois District has been blessed to learn we will be welcoming three pastoral candidates to our District, two from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri and one from Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, Indiana.
Josiah Sandcork is pastor-elect of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lemont, Illinois. William Ebel is pastor-elect of St.
Paul Lutheran Church in Oak Lawn, Illinois. Jacob Shepard is pastor-elect of Zion Lutheran Church in Chebanse, Illinois. NIDnews.org was able to ask these three men about their call to ministry, their seminary experience, and what they anticipate most about their new calls. Some highlights of their responses are below:
What is your “call to ministry” story? In other words, what brought you to the seminary?
“…I was always drawn to the Word of God for comfort and guidance. I was blessed to attend Lutheran schools all the way from grade school through college…despite this great comfort and joy that I took in God’s Word, I never wanted to be a pastor…I strongly resisted the idea of going to Seminary, even though I was encourage by friends and family alike. I planned to follow in my parents’ steps by getting an education degree majoring in Physical Education and Health.” Yet, the tugging remained. At one point, when speaking with a recruiter from Concordia Seminary St. Louis with questions and hesitation, he was told, “Keep saying ‘no’ to God and see what happens.” During his senior year of college, he called his fiancee (who also had previous hesitations about the idea of seminary) to tell her he intended to apply for enrollment for classes beginning in Fall 2022, and she said told him she always knew he was going be become a pastor. She had already told her family she knew they would be going to end up at Seminary. Josiah Sandcork—pastor-elect, St. Matthew, Lemont
“God worked through my faithful parents, teachers, and pastors to bring me to the seminary. These people catechized me, raised me in the one true faith, and encouraged me to seek the Office of the Holy Ministry. At the beginning of college, the Lord led me to a greater appreciation of the spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus that I had received through them. From that point on, I desired to become a pastor so that I could publicly teach others about Jesus and care for their souls with His Word and Sacraments. In this way, the Lord led me to the seminary.” William Ebel—pastor-elect, St. Paul, Oak Lawn
What are some highlights of your education at the seminary?
“One of the highlights for me are the friends that I made. These are brothers for whom I will always be grateful. Another highlight for me is the professor-students relationship. At the state university I attended, there was very little sense of cordiality or friendliness between the faculty and the students outside of the classroom. It is very obvious that the faculty at CTSFW don’t just care about your academic performance, but care about your soul as well.” Jacob Shepard—pastor-elect, Zion, Chebanse
“Seminary was filled with all kinds of highlights, from listening to professors’ lectures to working on the grounds crew and getting to take care of our beautiful campus to playing Preacher basketball and intramural. I loved making new friends and discussing life, theology, and just enjoying time socializing in God’s wonderful creation with friends and family.” Josiah Sandcork—pastor-elect, St. Matthew, Lemont
Tell us about the Call Day experience. What emotions were you feeling?
“Above all, I would say that I felt gratitude to the Lord for calling me to serve as a pastor in His Church. The Office of the Holy Ministry is not something that is earned, but given. By the grace of God, I have been divinely called to shepherd His people. On Call Night, I had the privilege of meeting some congregational representatives from St. Paul’s in Oak Lawn. Their excitement to receive me as their pastor only increased my gratitude, and I look forward to humbly serving the flock Christ Jesus bought with His blood on the cross.” William Ebel—pastor-elect, St. Paul, Oak Lawn
“Call Day was very surreal for me. I was not stressed about the day, as some of my cohort were. I was pretty calm; I trusted that the Holy Spirit would work through Dr. Pulse to call me wherever he willed. However, once I walked up the steps and heard my name called, it all of a sudden became very real to me that what I had been preparing for has finally arrived. It was a very joyous and surreal experience.” Jacob Shepard—pastor-elect, Zion, Chebanse
What do you anticipate most about your new call?
“We can’t wait to meet the people, hear their stories, laugh, cray, and share the love of Christ with one another.” Josiah Sandcork—pastor-elect, St. Matthew, Lemont
“One of the responsibilities I look forward to as a new pastor is Bible study. God’s Word is living and active. It is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, training, and consoling. It bears witness to Christ Jesus our Savior, that we would believe in Him and have eternal life. I cannot wait to read through the Scriptures with others, teaching the ways in which these Spirit-inspired writings point us to Christ, while also continuing to learn from them myself.” William Ebel—pastor-elect, St. Paul, Oak Lawn
“I most look forward to getting to know the people of God and bringing the Jesus, whether it is through the preached Word, the administration of the Sacraments, or through a word of comfort to one who needs it.” Jacob Shepard—pastor-elect, Zion, Chebanse
We pray for continued blessings on these men and their families as they make the transition to their new homes and new congregations. We look forward to their service to our Lord in their local communities and here in the NID!
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