You will have an opportunity to attend three of the following sessions.
After you read through each session description, write down your first three choices and select them on the registration.
You can help us plan the sessions by knowing your first three choices when you register.
After you read through each session description, write down your first three choices and select them on the registration.
You can help us plan the sessions by knowing your first three choices when you register.
Description of the 8 Breakout Sessions:
1) Taking the Heat at Church - 8 Systems for a Healthy Church - Jeff Gunn
In the furnace of conflict and apathy, true leaders don't just endure the heat—they forge unbreakable health. Join me to master 8 Systems for Church Health: purposeful plans, visionary actions, and gospel hope that ignites spiritual growth. Lead with courage. Build with intention. Law and gospel will do its work with focus and power.
Jeff Gunn - Jeff formerly served for 14 years as a missionary in Zambia, Central Africa, was a high school teacher, coach, and assistant principal at Arizona Lutheran Academy, and subsequently served as Director of Native American Missions for the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS). In 2004, he became the founding pastor at CrossWalk Lutheran Ministries in Phoenix, AZ. He accepted a call to Amazing Love Lutheran Church in the greater Chicagoland area in 2021. He retired from full-time pastoral ministry in 2024. Jeff is a self-described “leadership geek” and enjoys helping pastors, educators and business leaders with organizational leadership. Jeff is married, and he and his wife Julie have 5 children, all married, 14 grandchildren and 1 dog.
2) Courage to Confess: Being a Bold Confessor in a Hostile Culture - Nathan Kassulke
Many of the truths we know from Scripture are considered hateful by our culture. In the eyes of many, confessors of those truths must be hateful. That’s a lot of fire to face by those who called to “speak the truth in love.” In this session, we’ll consider some biblical examples of courage and the meaning of truth and love in our context. We’ll be encouraged to face this particular fire and be the bold confessors God would have us to be—right in our own callings.
Nathan Kassulke - Nathan has been a pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Tucson since his assignment from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in 2005. Over 20 years, his ministry focus moved from youth and campus ministry to a more general congregational oversight. The ministry of Grace transformed from a single location to a four-site ministry. He and his wife Beth have four active children, ranging from elementary school to college. Much of their free time is spent following the kids’ sporting events.
3) Leading Your Family Through the Flames of Moral Injury - Phil Henselin
Using real-life situations, we will explore how Satan uses the pain of trauma to attack, denying the presence of the goodness of God. Expect to leave the session equipped with
1) an understanding of what Moral Injury is,
2) Biblical examples of Moral Injury, and
3) the ability to apply Gospel First-Aid, comfort and hope.
1) an understanding of what Moral Injury is,
2) Biblical examples of Moral Injury, and
3) the ability to apply Gospel First-Aid, comfort and hope.
Phil Henselin - Phil pastored congregations in Mississippi, Connecticut, and Illinois and volunteered as a police and fire chaplain, before being called as Executive Director of Institutional Ministries. Phil's wife Sue, his five children and their spouses, and his eleven grandchildren are precious to his heart. Four of those grandchildren are in heaven. As trauma floods into our lives, God gives courage under fire, teaching us to lift our eyes heavenward to the Author of our faith.
4) Courageous Giving: Stewardship That Takes Faith and Guts – Jeff Weinstein
Many Christian men want to be generous, but fear about money, time, and the future keeps them playing it safe. In this session, we’ll look at what Scripture says about using your time, talents, and treasure in a way that actually costs you something, and why this kind of "sacrificial giving" is a response to the Gospel, not a guilt trip. You’ll walk away with a clearer picture of courageous stewardship in your home, church, and vocation, as well as practical ideas for putting your faith into practice, on purpose.
Jeff Weinstein - My wife, Stephanie, and I live in Tucson AZ. Proud father of three, proud grandfather of five. I serve as Vice-President at Grace Lutheran Church of Southern AZ. I serve as Vice-Chairman at AZ Lutheran Academy of the BOD. I serve on the Governing Board at Redeemer Lutheran School. I serve on the Board at the Child Learning Center of Grace Lutheran Church in Sahuarita. I work as the WELS Coordinator at Arizona Christian School Tuition Organization helping out 9 WELS schools and 50 + WELS churches maximize the tuition tax credit. I love to sing in choir and golf when I get the chance.
5) Aging With Courage: Embracing a New Season of Service – Myrl Wagenknecht
Can a Christian, who has been called by his Lord to a life of service, ever retire?
Does age have anything to do with retiring? What's with this "65?"
We will explore Biblical purpose and strength for men in their 60s, 70s, and beyond.
Does age have anything to do with retiring? What's with this "65?"
We will explore Biblical purpose and strength for men in their 60s, 70s, and beyond.
Myrl Wagenknecht - I grew up in Glendale, Arizona, and went to school in Watertown and Mequon, Wisconsin.
I spent my active ministry in Alabama and Texas. In retirement, I moved to Sun City, Arizona.
Did I really retire?
I spent my active ministry in Alabama and Texas. In retirement, I moved to Sun City, Arizona.
Did I really retire?
6) From Apathy to Action: Inspiring Outreach in Lukewarm Congregations – Mark Parsons
Many Christian men desire to share their faith but struggle to take that first step. In this engaging session, you’ll learn how to move from hesitation to courage—igniting a heart for personal and congregational outreach without guilt or gimmicks. Using Jesus’ encounter with the woman at the well (John 4), we’ll see how to naturally blend law and gospel in everyday conversations. Together, we’ll identify the “wells of Samaria” in our own communities—places where people are thirsty for the living water we’ve been given. You’ll hear real-life stories of simple yet powerful witnessing moments and have the chance to discuss the fears and obstacles that often hold us back. By the end, you’ll be equipped to craft your own personal witness of who Jesus is and what he means to you. Leave encouraged and ready to boldly bring the message of Christ to the people already in your path.
Mark Parsons - Mark serves as the Executive Director and Lead Missionary of Truth in Love Ministry (TILM) as they empower Christians to witness and proclaim Christ to Mormons. He is passionate about reaching the lost and equipping Christians to share the good news of Jesus by connecting law and gospel to real life. Before joining TILM in 2020, Mark pastored congregations in Florida and Wisconsin and spent a decade developing creative ministry resources through Bread for Beggars. He enjoys reading, running, hiking, and camping with his family, finding refreshment in the outdoors that prepares him to keep pointing people to the rest found in Jesus.
7) From "Textbook" To "Book of Life:" A New Look at an Old Book - Peter Zaferos
Okay, there are eight breakout sessions, and one is on Luther's Small Catechism. That's the one I'll skip because "I already know it." Do you? Could you quickly review the whole Catechism in 10 minutes? How about in 30 seconds? How long does it take to teach the Catechism anyway? This breakout session will change the way you look at Luther's Small Catechism. It's not a textbook for elementary school kids. It's the most helpful teaching tool ever developed. It continually teaches you the truth, and is priceless as it helps you teach the truth to the next generation.
Pete Zaferos - Pete has served as a home missionary and campus pastor in Laramie, WY, as pastor of Mt. Olive Lutheran in Suamico, WI, and as president of the Bay Area Life Center in Green Bay, WI. For the past year and a half he has served as pastor at Pilgrim Lutheran Church and School in Mesa, AZ. Pete and his wife Melissa have been married for almost 20 years and have been blessed with 7 children.
(8) Truth & Lies - The Battle Within and Without - Eric Landwehr
(Two-part session for all men, but especially good for young men)
In Session One we will answer the following questions: What is truth? Why does God talk so much about truth? Why does the devil use lies? What are the most common lies we deal with in our own hearts and minds? What are the most common lies of our society?
In Session Two we will discuss several different frameworks, tools, and strategies we can use to help us stay aligned with God's truth and battling against the lies. Participants will, Lord-willing, leave these sessions with a better understanding of truth and its importance in the life of a Christian man. They will also have developed written plans to help them fight against the lies and to embrace the truth of God.
In Session Two we will discuss several different frameworks, tools, and strategies we can use to help us stay aligned with God's truth and battling against the lies. Participants will, Lord-willing, leave these sessions with a better understanding of truth and its importance in the life of a Christian man. They will also have developed written plans to help them fight against the lies and to embrace the truth of God.
Dr. Erik Landwehr - Erik has been a WELS minister and teacher for almost 30 years. He has served in St. Lucia, Caribbean and Miami, Florida; he is currently a teacher and staff minister on the San Carlos Apache reservation in Arizona. Much of his ministry has been centered on helping youth (especially young men) to grow to be whom God has created and called them to be. Dr. Landwehr enjoys all the outdoorsy things that Arizona has to offer. He and his wife, Staci, have raised three boys - now ages 25, 23 and 18.