Part-Time Wellness Officer Added To NID Staff

February 2026

In alignment with the LCMS Northern Illinois District’s Wellness pillar, a part-time Wellness Officer was recently hired to join District staff. The purpose of this position is to lead NID efforts to promote holistic wellness among church workers, lay leaders, congregations, schools, and ministries.

Brandy McCoid, from Christ the Rock in Rockford, Illinois, comes to this position with a passion for wellness. As part of her duties, she will be asked to develop and implement initiatives supporting physical, emotional, financial, and spiritual health, while fostering a culture of care. Some of those key responsibilities include initiatives such as wellness workshops, retreats, and coaching for church workers. She will collaborate in this work with the NID Wellness Committee and the Church Worker Care Team.

Professionally, Brandy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education and English from Concordia Ann Arbor and a Master of Arts degree in Systematic Theology from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. She also is an ACE certified personal trainer, an ACE certified health coach, and additionally hold certifications in CPR/AED First Aid and Mental Health First Aid. She has worked as a PE teacher, Fitness & Wellness Coach, Fitness Instructor, Christian Health Coach, Writing Coach, and Religion Teacher, among other things. She brings her enthusiasm for wellness and her vast experiences to this new role.

Personally, Brandy is married to Rev. James McCoid (Senior Pastor at Christ the Rock, Rockford), and is mom to four children (three of whom are teenagers). She certainly takes her own health and wellness seriously. She shared with NIDnews.org that she has completed a full Ironman, 5 half-Ironmans, 3 marathons, and will compete her first 50K in April. When asked about other interests, she said, “I love podcasts, talking theology with my husband, cheering at my kids’ games and performances, and helping others feel heard and loved.”

Reverend Kris Whitby, Assistant to the President for Mission & Ministry is excited to see the launch of the NID Wellness Officer position and to have Brandy on board. He commented, “… I believe that the value of holding up our church workers and our ministries to care for their well-being as the beloved of Christ will be greatly blessed by having a staff position dedicated to this goal. I am looking forward to seeing how the Wellness Officer will be able to resource ministries for wellness endeavors, plan and host District-wide events and initiatives, and work with our health and wellness partners such as Concordia Plan Services, Grace Place, and Synod’s own Office of National Mission to bring meaningful care to our church workers and the ministries they serve… bringing our Lord’s care in ‘First Article of the Creed” matters of wellness.”

Brandy was also able to share some her thoughts about the importance for wellness, “I firmly believe that managing personal well being allows one to better care for others. Caring starts first with confessing God as our only source of restoration the center of it all, and our wellness flows from His providential care and redemptive act in Christ Jesus. My desire is to help Christians bring Christ’s freedom into their wellness, step by step, so they feel capable of manager their wellness, and in turn serve others with fervor.”

We welcome Brandy to her new position as Wellness Officer and as part of the NID staff! God’s blessings on your new endeavor and your work to further the care for His children!

You can find more information on our webpage: nidlcms.org/church-workers/wellness-officer/.