Michigan Lutheran Seminary, WELS: Habemus Papam!

Rev. Joel Petermann has accepted the call to serve as president of Michigan Lutheran Seminary (MLS), Saginaw, Mich. MLS is one of four three two WELS preparatory high schools operated by the synod. The MLS president has many responsibilities, including leading the school in its mission to train students for the public ministry of the gospel and to encourage them to attend Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn., upon graduation.

Petermann currently serves as pastor at St. Paul, Amherst, N.H., and president of the North Atlantic District. He will continue in those roles on a limited basis as he gradually transitions into his new position. After the North Atlantic District elects a new president this summer, Petermann will complete the transition and assume the role of school president full time.

A 1986 graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis., Petermann has experience as a preparatory school and college instructor, a home missionary, and a parish pastor. Although Petermann will miss many aspects of parish ministry, he is looking forward to “encouraging young people to consider the glorious and joyous ministry of the gospel of Jesus.”

The position of MLS president has been vacant since September 2010, but Rev. George Ferch, chairman of MLS’s Governing Board, reports that the vacancy has been capably filled by Dr. William Zeiger, vice president of MLS.