Mission and Purpose
The mission of Higher Things, Inc. is to assist parents, congregations, and pastors in cultivating and promoting a Lutheran identity among youth through conferences, retreats, publications, and the internet.
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.
Promotional DVD
Are you interested in learning more about Higher Things? Check out our our promotional DVD. The DVD has footage from “The Feast,” our summer conference in 2006, as well as interviews with youth and the Higher Things Staff. Check out our promotional DVD online via Google Video.
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. William M. Cwirla, President
Hacienda Heights, CA
The Rev. Brent Kuhlman, Vice President
Murdock, NE
Mrs. Sandra Ostapowich, Secretary
Loveland, CO
Mr. Ken Schultz, Treasurer
Tomball, TX
The Rev. Joel Fritsche
St. Louis, MO
The Rev. Bruce Keseman
Freeburg, IL
The Rev. David Kind
Minneapolis, MN
Mrs. Sue Pellegrini
Everett, WA
Mr. Jeff Schwarz
Edwardsville, IL
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.
The Rev. George F. Borghardt III, Conferences
Conroe, TX
Mrs. Connie Brammeier Business
Kansas City, MO
The Rev. Mark Buetow, Internet Services
DuQoin, IL
The Rev. Marcus Zill, Christ on Campus
Laramie, WY