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.
Development DVD
Are you interested in learning more about Higher Things? Check out our our promotional Higher Things DVD! The DVD has footage from “The Feast,” our last summer conference, as well as interviews with youth and the Higher Things executives. See first hand the great services that Higher Things has to offer and why we “Dare to be Lutheran.” Our Development DVD is available online via Google Video, click here to view it.
For more information on Higher Things, or to receive a copy of our promotional DVD, contact Rev. Joel Fritsche at fritsche@higherthings.org.
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, Vice President
Hacienda Heights, CA
Mrs. Sandra Ostapowich, Secretary
Loveland, CO
Mrs. Lynn Fredericksen, Treasurer
Pleasant Prairie, WI
The Rev. Joel Fritsche
St. Louis, MO
The Rev. Bruce Keseman
Freeburg, IL
The Rev. Brent Kuhlman
Murdock, NE
The Rev. Larry Nichols
Smithfield, RI
Mr. Mark Pfundstein
Washington, D.C.
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
Mrs. Carolyn Cockey, Publications
Glenwood Springs, CO
Mr. Landon Reed, Retreats
Tomball, TX
The Rev. Marcus Zill, Christ on Campus
Laramie, WY