Our 2025 Convention theme, God’s Family Together—Joined In His Mission, is the short version of our vision for the Nebraska District: God’s forgiven family walking and working together in God’s mission of making and maturing disciples of Jesus Christ. Our time in Convention will focus on Jesus’ prayer in John 17:21, “that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”
Rev. Dr. Lucas Woodford, president of Minnesota South District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, is unable to join us as keynote presenter. We are grateful that Rev. Dr. Pete and Deb Jurchen, and Dr. Bernard Bull, president of Concordia University, Nebraska, have agreed to present our keynote sessions.
Rev. Dr. Pete and Deb Jurchen will explore the family in two ways. On Friday afternoon, Pete and Deb will unpack some of the complexities of ministering to families; then on Saturday morning, Dr. Jurchen will investigate how the Church family can cultivate a culture of maturing adult discipleship. On Saturday afternoon, Dr. Bull’s keynote asks the question, “How can the LCMS family cultivate communities where God’s Word shapes each generation?” This keynote will explore how congregations and schools can support the family, becoming faithful and flourishing centers of Christ-centered learning and faith formation.
Rev. Dr. Pete Jurchen is Assistant Professor of Lutheran Education and Faith Formation at Concordia University, Nebraska. Prior to serving this call, he served as an editor of Bible and Curriculum resources at Concordia Publishing House and as a parish pastor in both Nebraska and Iowa. He has earned a BSEd from Concordia University, Nebraska; MDiv from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis; MSEd from Drake University; and an EdD in adult learning theory from Lindenwood University.
Pete’s wife, Deb Jurchen, holds a BFA in K-12 Art Education from Concordia University, Nebraska, and an MSE in Family Life Education from Concordia University, Wisconsin & Ann Arbor. She has a background in Lutheran education, having taught all ages Pre-K-12th grade. Deb currently serves as the Director of University Institutes at Concordia University, Nebraska; as adjunct professor in the Family Life Education Graduate program at Concordia University, Nebraska; as well as the Family Life Ministry Consultant for the Nebraska District LCMS. Together, Deb and Pete have five children and reside in Seward, Nebraska.
Dr. Bernard Bull serves as the 11th President of Concordia University, Nebraska. His work focuses on futures and issues in Christian education, education trend analysis, models of educational research and development, and the intersection of education and digital culture. Prior to Concordia University, Nebraska, Bull served as President of Goddard College; Associate Professor of Education and Vice Provost at Concordia University Wisconsin; and as a middle and high school teacher in Lutheran schools in Illinois and Wisconsin. Throughout his career, Bull has taught grades six through doctoral studies in Lutheran schools and universities.
Bull is author, co-author, and editor of a number of books, including: The Pedagogy of Faith; Digitized: Spiritual Implications of Technology; Imagine the Possibilities: Conversations on the Future of Christian Education; Prep Talks: Tales of Challenges & Opportunities in Christian Education; What Really Matters: Critical Issues in Education; Adventures in Self-Directed Learning; and Missional Moonshots: Insights and Inspiration in Educational Innovation. He has served as a consultant and invited speaker to over two-hundred groups and organizations over the past twenty years.