Workshops

Curriculum Review, Not Textbook Review

Presenter: Laura Montez
Recommendation: Teachers

Your curriculum is so much more powerful than a textbook! This workshop will dig into all the steps of the curriculum review process so that your school can create a curriculum that works for all students and every teacher. No curriculum background or experience necessary. This workshop will provide an overview and opportunities to begin engaging in the curriculum review process with plenty of resources to guide your journey. If you have experience, this workshop will build on it. Please bring any current curriculum documents that you have for your classes, grade level, or school.

Laura Montez currently serves as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction for Divine Savior Ministries serving all 4 Divine Savior Academy campuses. She earned her bachelor’s degree at Wisconsin Lutheran College, master's from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and ministry certification through Martin Luther College. Over the last 21 years, she has served as the principal at Divine Savior Academy in Delray Beach, FL; in PreK-12 public schools as a teacher, academic dean, assistant principal, and principal; at the college/university level as an educational coordinator, adjunct instructor, and supervisor for graduate students seeking administrative licensure; and as an instructional coach and professional development facilitator.

Beyond the Classroom: Building Student (and your own) Resiliency

Presenter: Tim Biesterfeld
Recommendation: Teachers

This workshop will equip teachers with strategies to foster resiliency skills in their students. Students (and teachers) will undoubtedly face setbacks and challenges in the classroom and outside of it. It is essential for our learners to manage these challenges, deal with setbacks, and develop positive coping mechanisms to persevere through their struggles. We will discuss ways to support our students with their resiliency, while also highlighting the importance of helping our students to find their true identity in Christ.

Tim Biesterfeld serves as the Head of Schools for Divine Savior Ministries. During his time with Divine Savior he has served as a classroom teacher, dean, and principal. He holds degrees from Martin Luther College (BA Education), Florida International University (MS International and Intercultural Education), and Liberty University (PhD Organizational Leadership). Tim lives in Doral, FL with his wife, Erika, and their three children: Ko, Remi, and Kal.

A New Chapter: Introducing PLCs on Our Campus

Presenter: Patrick Cortright
Recommendation: Teachers

A Professional Learning Community (PLC) is a collaborative approach that empowers educators to work together with a shared mission of improving student learning. At its core, a PLC is driven by three big ideas: focus on learning, where student success becomes the priority and learning gaps are addressed proactively; collaborative culture and collective responsibility, emphasizing teamwork and shared accountability for all students; and results orientation, using data to drive decisions and measure progress. This workshop will share what our campus has learned so far as we continue to launch and grow our PLC journey.

Patrick Cortright is the Elementary principal of Divine Savior Academy - Sienna.

Everything you need to know about Mornings with Mommy

Presenter: Tania Kopplin & Amy David
Recommendation: General

This workshop will cover the basics of starting a Mornings with Mommy (MwM) ministry, from where to start to how to share a proposal with your church leadership and congregation. Individuals from the MwM Network will each share their perspective and insights on their MwM ministry. We will allow time at the end for Q & A and an opportunity to "experience" a MwM session.

Amy David, Tania Kopplin, Rachel Smith, Kristin Schneider, Becca Backhaus, Becca Kroll, and Amanda Hall are part of the South Central District Mornings with Mommy Network. We meet once a quarter to share blessings, challenges and ideas for MwM. This Network group has been a support system for each other and to new MwM Directors.

Harvest Strategy: The Heart of our Mission and Core of our Strategy

Presenter: Carlos Leyrer
Recommendation: General

The Great Commission calls us to make disciples of all nations. This applies not only in the church, but everywhere we have the opportunity to share the life changing, soul saving gospel message–including our Lutheran schools. While we can't program the Holy Spirit, there are several things we can do to give him the best product to bless. In this workshop we will explore the Harvest Strategy in our Lutheran schools; how it is at the heart of our mission and the core of our strategy.

Carlos Leyrer has served as Pastor, Superintendent, and now President of Divine Savior Ministries. He is married to his wife Julia and together they have three children: Kingston, Hadley, and Maddox. When not actively involved in ministry he spends his time attending and coaching his children's various athletic endeavors. Carlos enjoys suffering as a Miami Dolphins fan and traveling with his family.

Direction, Not Perfection: A Confessional Lutheran Approach to Spiritual Care

Presenter: Luke Thompson
Recommendation: General

When Jesus promises his disciples “peace,” does he mean it? Can the gospel not only give us an eternal peace in the life to come, but also peace in the tumultuous world we are living in right now? Join us as we explore how to practically apply God’s Word to not only our own lives, but also the lives of our friends, by learning how to redirect our thoughts to the rock-solid truths of God. We’ll spend some time learning what God’s Word has to say about faith  and our emotions. Then, we’ll talk through how to create habits in our lives of realigning our hearts and minds on God’s Word. (This workshop is a continuation of Professor Thompson’s keynote address.)

Luke Thompson (M.Div theology, M.A. philosophy) taught philosophy courses at Wisconsin Lutheran College and Bethany Lutheran College before becoming a pastor in WELS. He served eight years in Ottawa, ON, Canada, at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran, where he ministered to government workers, South Sudanese immigrants and the university students of University of Ottawa and Carleton University. For over twenty years, he has worked with and helped to start campus ministries, presenting internationally on apologetics, philosophy, and devotional practices. His most recent divine call is to Martin Luther College, where he teaches theology, history, and philosophy, leads a “film and philosophy” club, a Great Books club, and regularly leads workshops on spiritual care. He is author of “Your Life Has Meaning” (a study on Ecclesiastes and philosophy) (NPH) and co-author of “Quick to Listen” (NPH).

Emotional Intelligence for Ministry Leaders: Cultivating Stronger Connections and Impactful Leadership

Presenter: Adam Burkhard
Recommendation: General

Discover how emotional intelligence (EQ) can transform your ministry leadership. This presentation equips you with the essential EQ skills of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management to strengthen connections, improve communication, and maximize your impact. Learn practical strategies to lead with compassion and clarity, creating healthier and more effective ministry teams that truly connect with your congregation and community. Whether you're looking to deepen your leadership abilities or address specific and complex social and relational issues among your ministry teams, this session provides the tools you need to face these challenges with tact, empathy, and confidence.

Dr. Adam Burkhard serves as a licensed pharmacist and benefits consultant at Mercer where Emotional Intelligence (EQ) plays a key role in building and maintaining internal and external relationships. He also has the privilege of serving as both congregational President and Personal Member Ministry Coordinator at Divine Savior Church - Sienna. In these roles, Dr. Burkhard aims to practice techniques associated with high EQ to better support his pastors, fellow ministry partners, and the mission of the church. He earned his Bachelors of Science in Chemistry from Texas A&M University and later his Doctor of Pharmacy from The University of Texas at Austin (Gig 'em AND Hook 'em!). In his spare time, Dr. Burkhard enjoys investing in his church, cultivating deeper relationships with family and friends, mentoring pharmacy students, caring for his two cats and miniature dachshund, running along the Buffalo Bayou, collecting Legos, and exploring the many fine coffee and dining establishments that Houston has to offer. His favorite Bible passage is 1 Corinthians 15:10, "By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect."

God's Beautiful Plan for Three Lives

Presenter: Becca Backhaus
Recommendation: General

Many times things happen and we are confused as to why. Here is a story of love and adoption, where God brought three lives together in a surprising way. How does God use the challenging things in our lives? How can we look for blessings through our struggles?

Becca is a mom of four sweet adult children. She has taught multiple grades in Lutheran schools and also in public schools. She currently volunteers at church and works part time organizing and cleaning homes. She's looking forward to the birth of their first two grandchildren and having her parents move from Arizona and live just 10 minutes away.

Be Prepared!

Presenter: Mike Geiger
Recommendation: General

John Wooden of college basketball fame would tell his players, "When opportunity comes, it's too late to prepare." Have you found yourself in an opportunity to have a spiritual conversation and share Jesus, but were not ready or prepared? Let's take a step together and prepare to give a reason for the hope you have...so when the opportunity comes (or you create it), you are prepared!

Pastor Mike has had a variety of outreach opportunities from starting a church in North Carolina to reviving a church in Georgetown, Texas. These experiences have provided him with opportunities to engage people and the questions they have. He desires to make spiritual conversations with people easier to have so the gospel reaches more hearts.

From Organ to Electric Guitar: Navigating Worship Music Selections

Presenter: Kristen Cortright
Recommendation: General

Whether your congregation thrives on traditional hymns, embraces contemporary worship, or uses a blend of both, selecting the right music can create a more meaningful and inclusive worship experience for your members and your mission field. In this workshop, we’ll explore key principles and practical resources for selecting music and cultivating musicians and instrumentalists. There will also be time for examples and discussions tailored to your church's unique needs and style. Although all are welcome to attend, worship leaders, pastors, church music planners, and musicians may benefit the most from the presentation content.

Kristen Cortright holds a degree in education from Martin Luther College, specializing in church music and secondary math. She has had the privilege of serving as music coordinator at two churches; currently at Divine Savior Church - Sienna. Kristen is married to Patrick, Principal at Divine Savior Academy, and they have two high school-aged children, Elijah and Jillian. As a family, the Cortrights enjoy exploring and appreciating God's beautiful creation together.

Wired for Worship: Practical Tech for Gospel Impact

Presenter: Alec Bergmann & Kevin Boushek
Recommendation: General

Every week pastors, musicians, staff ministers, and lay people invest time and energy to proclaim the beautiful gospel truth of sins forgiven in Jesus. The gospel always remains the heart of worship, but what function and role does modern technology serve? This workshop will discuss the implementation of modern tech tools to support the proclamation of the gospel in worship, create meaningful service opportunities for God’s people, and carry the good news further outside our walls and into our world. We will share lessons learned, resources available, and provide practical and immediate applications for participants.

Alec Bergmann is in his 7th year of teaching 5th grade at Divine Savior Academy-Sienna and has been serving as Divine Savior Church's A/V Tech Lead for the last five years. He has a Masters in Educational Leadership from Martin Luther College. Alec is married to his wife, Kendra, and they have a one year old son, Carsen.

Kevin Boushek has served as a pastor for 12 years – currently as the Pastor of Worship and Outreach at Divine Savior Church-Sienna, which recently was blessed with a new worship space. He enjoys the discovery of technology that can be utilized well for worship and outreach. His beautiful wife, Ashley, serves as a 1st grade teacher at Divine Savior Academy. His son, Aidan (10), is excited to begin his baseball season, and his daughter, Emma (5), loves demonstrating her C-V-C reading skills.

Helpful Apps for Ministry Impact & Efficiency

Presenter: Ben Kratz
Recommendation: General

This workshop will take a look at several different webapps that you can use to help organize and communicate with your people: set up a Bible reading program, track all your church council or ladies group communication in one place, track follow-up visits with new contact, and more. There will also be time to share some of the apps you have found helpful in your ministry setting and collaborate with others in attendance at the workshop.

Ben Kratz has served as the pastor at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Birmingham, Alabama, since he was assigned there in 2003. He and his beautiful bride, Emily, have seven children.

Church Finances: Basics and Best Practices

Presenter: Jim Schroeter
Recommendation: General

 A presentation and discussion to assist congregations in establishing and maintaining sound financial controls and practices. Designed primarily for small, young, rebuilding, or mission congregations.

Jim Schroeter holds a BBA in Accounting with over 45 years of experience in the corporate finance arena. He has held various church leadership positions including Treasurer and Financial Secretary. He is currently serving as Financial Secretary at Divine Peace - Garland.

Growing into the Psalms

Presenter: Brad Wordell
Recommendation: Pastor

With some foods and some drinks it takes time to develop a taste for them. The Psalms are like that. As we read, discuss, ponder, pray, and sing the Psalms they change us. They grow on us because we grow into them. They become our daily food, and we become what we eat. Participants in this workshop will learn strategies for using and enjoying the Psalms.

Brad and his wife Andrea are blessed with five grown children, two of whom are married. In early January their first grandchild, Elijah David Wilson, was born. In 1992 Brad was assigned to serve as pastor at St. Paul's in Lake Mills, Wisconsin. In 1999 the family moved to Japan for gospel ministry in the Tokyo area. In 2015 Brad accepted the call to serve at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary as professor of the Old Testament and member of the Pastoral Studies Institute team. Since 2022, Brad serves as the seminary's director of continuing education.

God’s Good and Gracious Design for Male and Female – Encouragement and Guidance

Presenter: Don Tollefson
Recommendation: Pastors

In a world confused and challenged to live out our God-given callings, God instructs and reminds us in the Scriptures of His good and gracious design for both male and female. Embracing his Word, we seek to honor his will with the freedom given in Christ which neither ignores his will nor binds consciences where he does not. Discussion will view applications of the principle that may vary in various situations, while seeking to retain the unchanging principle God has given in his Word.

Don Tollefson, retired in 2022, served as parish pastor in New Jersey for nearly forty years and as District President of the North Atlantic District for ten. He currently serves as part-time ministry administrator at The Mission in Willis. He and his wife Deb retired in the area to be close to family.

The Book of Lamentations

Presenter: Ben Kratz
Recommendation: Pastors

Life can crush our hearts. When engulfed in darkness, when its bitterness feels almost tangible, God does not invite us to simply pray, "Yes, Lord. Whatever you say." He wants us to speak our mind. Pour out our heart. Even challenge and question him. We will see how the book of Lamentations gives us and the people we serve a framework for working through the sorrow and tragedies of life.

Ben Kratz has served as the pastor at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Birmingham, Alabama, since he was assigned there in 2003. He and his beautiful bride, Emily, have seven children.

Simple, Straightforward Preaching

Presenter: Nathan Buege
Recommendation: Pastors

How can preachers lean towards simple, but not boring? How can preachers use straightforward language with a focus that benefits the listener? This workshop for pastors will explore the topic of simple, straightforward preaching, and how that focus can help their listeners grow closer to Jesus.

Nathan Buege has served as pastor of Victory of the Lamb, Katy, Texas, for 22 years since graduating from Seminary. He and his wife Amy have been married for 26 years. They have four children - Abby (married to Ben Hillmer), Ethan, Marissa and Daniel. He enjoys hiking in the mountains, relaxing at the beach, and watching various sporting events.

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