On July 1, Rev. Earle Treptow assumed his new role as the Nebraska District president. Treptow was elected at the district convention on June 15. Rev. Joel Frank, Nebraska District president for the past 20 years, has retired.

Frank says it was a privilege to serve as district president all those years. "In a very small way," he notes, "God used me to bring about his plan for ministry and service. At some point I was able to visit all the congregations in the district. I did a lot of traveling, met a lot of people, and made many memories along the way."

The district president oversees doctrine and practice in his district. Among his responsibilities are providing candidates for call lists within his district. All district presidents also serve on the Conference of Presidents, which oversees the doctrine and practice of the synod.

"I accepted the call extended by the district," says Treptow, "not because I felt prepared but because I know the Lord's promise. He promises to equip those whom he calls into service. He never fails to keep a promise, so I am confident that he has prepared me to take up these important duties and responsibilities."

Treptow will continue to serve as pastor at Zion, Denver, Colo. Brett Krause, a 2010 seminary graduate, has been assigned to serve as an associate at Zion to help Treptow as he takes on his new responsibilities as district president.

WELS is separated into 12 districts. The Nebraska District includes 89 congregations in Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, Utah, and portions of Wyoming, New Mexico, South Dakota, Missouri, and Iowa.