Meier Accepts Center for US Missions Position
Irvine, Calif. (March 2013) – Concordia University Irvine welcomes The Reverend Dr. Peter A. Meier as the new Executive Director of the Center for United States Missions. Meier announced acceptance of the call to serve as full-time Executive Director, beginning July 1, 2013. He currently serves as Assistant to the President for Missions in the Minnesota South District.
With this move, the Center engages a full-time Executive Director, while retaining the Reverend Michael R. Ruhl as Director of Training. Ruhl has served as the Center's Executive Director since 2004, most recently in a part-time capacity. This move positions the Center to best serve the church and its mission, as it seeks to meet a growing need for church planter assessment, training, coaching, and support, and by preparing local congregations and districts to plant new churches. In announcing Meier's call extended by the Concordia University Irvine Board of Regents, President Dr. Kurt J. Krueger said, "We congratulate Peter and wish him God's richest blessings in this new role of service to the Church."
Upon accepting the call, Meier said, “I am humbled to know that God will use me in this way to partner with Him in His mission. I invite you to pray with me that God will bless the Center for US Missions as Pastor Mike Ruhland I serve the Lord and His church in this way, and also that God’s blessings will be generously showered upon Concordia University Irvine.”
More About TheCenter for United States Missions:
The Center for United States Missions was organized in 2000 by LCMS National Missions in partnership with Concordia University Irvine and the North American Mission Executives, the professional organization of LCMS District Mission Executives (NAME). Rev. Dr. Kenneth W. Behnken was the first Director, retiring from that position after Ruhl succeeded him in 2004. Today, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri joins Concordia University Irvine and NAME assupporting partners. Formed to serve districts and congregations in church planting efforts, the Center was known from the earliest days as “the mission training arm of the LCMS,” equipping over 500 church planters since 2000, and assisting with the birth of over 150 new churches in the past five years.
Media Contact:
Lindy Neubauer
Director of Communications
Concordia University Irvine
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949.214.3155