About Higher Things

Mission and Purpose

The mission of Higher Things is to assist parents, congregations, and pastors in cultivating, encouraging and promoting a distinctively Lutheran identity among their youth and young adults.

To fulfill this mission, Higher Things:

• Catechizes youth through instruction in Christian doctrine and life;
• Involves youth in the mission of the Church to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all people;
• Publishes periodicals, literature, curricula, and other resource materials using print media and the internet;
• Organizes conferences, retreats, and seminars to help youth become informed and active members of their congregations;
• Encourages youth to consider vocations of service in the church;
• Establishes networks for congregations to share resources for youth ministry;
• Connects high-school and college youth with faithful Lutheran campus ministries and assists congregations and campus ministries in their service to Lutheran college students.

Higher Things is a Recognized Service Organization (RSO) of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.

Board of Directors

Higher Things is an organization of pastors, teachers and laity that seek to teach the faith to the youth of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.

The Rev. George Borghardt, President
McHenry, IL

Rev. Dr. Carl Fickenscher, Vice-President
Fort Wayne, IN

The Rev. Joel Fritsche, Secretary
Staunton, IL

Mr. Chris Loemker, Treasurer
Saint Louis, MO

The Rev. William Cwirla
Hacienda Heights, CA

The Rev. Brent Kuhlman
Murdock, NE

Mr. Chris Rosebrough
Fischers, IN

Mrs. Sue Pellegrini
Everett, WA

Dr. Matt Phillips
Seward, NE

Executives:

The executives are roll-up-your-sleeves action types who oversee and coordinate the various operations that make up Higher Things: Magazine, Web, Conferences, Christ on Campus, and Leadership Development and Training. They, and the talented people who work with them, are the folks who make Higher Things happen.

Ms. Sandra Ostapowich, Conferences
Fort Wayne, IN

Mrs. Connie Brammeier, Business
Kansas City, MO

The Rev. Mark Buetow, Media
DuQoin, IL