Dale Jaech

My route to the ministry has been "non-traditional." I grew up a member of the Wisconsin Synod, and attended Martin Luther Academy in the 1960s with the intent of entering the service of the church; but my life took another path when I enlisted in the Navy during the Viet Nam War. During my military service, I traveled extensively around the world and worked as a gunner, a navigator, and as a chemical dependency counselor. Naval service included spending several years in Orlando, Florida; but mostly I was stationed in San Diego, California, where I first joined the Evangelical Lutheran Synod. I met my wife, Rebecca in San Diego. We left the Navy, without retiring, in 1993 and returned to my family home in Wisconsin. From there we moved to Oregon in 1999, where Reformation Lutheran in Hillsboro became our church home.

My wife Rebecca and our pastor at Reformation Lutheran encouraged me to study for the ministry. In 2003, at 52 years of age, I earned a BA in theological studies from Concordia University in Portland OR, and then entered Bethany Seminary. Becky and I have six grandchildren and family members spread from Ohio to Wisconsin, Colorado, California and Oregon. I vicared at Bethany Lutheran Church in Port Orchard, Washington, and am awaiting a call.

Michael Muehlenhardt

I am a second career student. I farmed for many years in the Belle Plaine and Green Isle, Minnesota areas, but always desired to be in the ministry. We discontinued our farming operation in 2001 and moved to Mankato so that I could resume my education at Bethany Lutheran College.

My family is composed of myself, my wife Brenda, and our four daughters. Our oldest daughter is married and they live in Omaha, Nebraska. Our second daughter graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee and has begun teaching second grade at Bloomington Lutheran Elementary in Bloomington, Minnesota. Our two younger daughters are students at Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School in New Ulm. During our stay in Mankato, Brenda was the church secretary at Mt Olive. I vicared at St. Paul's Lutheran in North Mankato, Minnesota, and have been assigned to Christ Lutheran Church in Klamath Falls, Oregon.

Returning to college in my forties has been both challenging and rewarding. I am honored to have the opportunity to study the Scriptures in greater depth, and I look forward to the future when the Lord will use my talents and experiences to serve Him in His kingdom.

Daniel Oberer

I was born on April 7, 1973. I lived in Green Bay, Wisconsin, until I went to the University of Wisconsin in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and graduated in 1995 with a business major and a history minor. After graduating, I went into business with my parents and built up a manufacturing company outside of Green Bay.

In September, 2000, I married Jody Schneider, the daughter of the late Glenn Schneider, a pastor in the Wisconsin Ev. Lutheran Synod. We have two children: a boy named Seth Daniel and a girl named Ella Kareeca.

Before I met Jody I was active in an ELCA congregation in Green Bay. A study of Scripture led me in January 2001 to become a confirmed member of St. Mark Lutheran Church (WELS) in Green Bay. As a member I became involved with visiting shut-ins, holding home bible studies, and taught myself Greek. This led me to desire to prepare myself to serve the Lord in the public ministry.

In 2003 I attended Bethany Lutheran College to finish my language courses and started classes at Bethany Seminary the same year. I served my vicarage at Heritage Lutheran Church in Apple Valley, Minnesota, and have been called by the Board for Home Missions to do exploratory work in Farmington, Minnesota.

Andrew Schmidt

I am originally from Appleton, Wisconsin, where I lived for twenty years. Both my father and mother work in Appleton. I have a younger sister who recently graduated from BLC and a brother who attends UW Steven's Point.

I attended Lutheran elementary school and Fox Valley Lutheran High School in Appleton. I began college at Martin Lutheran College in New Ulm, Minnesota and later graduated from Bethany Lutheran College in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a liberal arts concentration in religion and in ancient and medieval studies.

My wife Jennifer was raised in a parsonage. We have a son named Austin and two daughters named Mackenzie and Madeline.

After our marriage, I worked for a title company. While at that job, I desired to return to college and study for the ministry. I vicared at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Albert Lea, Minnesota, and was called to Peace Lutheran Church, Lakeland, Florida. I do not think that there is a greater calling on all the earth than the one of being a parish pastor.