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Regional Pastor Conferences
South Region Pastoral Conference
Chairman: Rev. Christopher Antonetti (St. Paul’s, Lockport)
Vice-Chairman: Rev. Benjamin Hayter (Zion, Chebanse)
Secretary: Rev. Cory Estby (Zion, Grant Park)
Registrar/Treasurer: Rev. Brian Mayo (Salem, Homewood)
Program Committee: Rev. Larry Ruger, (St. Paul, Matteson), Rev. Matt Carlson (Our Savior, Joliet), Rev. Roger Drinnon (St. Paul’s, Bourbonnais), Rev. Jackson Scofield (River of Life, Channahon)
2026 Conference Information will be shared when available
East Region Pastoral Conference
Chairman: Rev. David Prentice (Faith, Westchester)
Vice chairman: Rev. Leonard Peyton (St. John, Forest Park)
Treasurer: Rev. Carlos Ortiz-Lugo (Holy Cross, Chicago)
Secretary: Rev. Steve Warren (St. Paul, Chicago)
Registrar: Rev. Michael Duffy (St. Paul, Melrose Park)
Program Committee Members: Rev. Jacob Erhard (St. John, Chicago), Rev. Dr. Edward Naumann (St. Paul, Brookfield), Rev. Matt Zickler (Grace, Western Springs)
2025 Conference
Dates: October 20-22, 2025
Location: DeKoven Center, 600 21st Street, Racine, Wisconsin, 53403
A new addition to the conference activities is a “fireside chat” to be held Monday evening, October 20, 2025.
Rev. Dr. Scott Bruzek
For the conference itself, two speakers are lined up:
Rev. Dr. Scott Bruzek will speak on Beauty in Word, Liturgy, and Eucharist
Rev. Dr. “Ike” Nicholson will lead discussion on urban ministry challenges.
Rev. Daniel Galchutt, the Executive Director of the LCMS Office of National Mission, will be on hand for some added support and discussion opportunity.
Rev. Dr. “Ike” Nicholson
Registration:
Two Nights (meals and Fireside chat) – Single room is $115 / Double room is $95.
One Night Stay (meals) – Single room is $85 / Double room is $65.
Conference only, commuting only (includes meals) – $40
Registration deadline is October 18, 2025.
(If you are in need of a scholarship, contact either Rev. Prentice, pastor.prentice@comcast.net or Rev. Payton, lrpayton@stjohnforestpark.org.)
North/West Region Pastoral Conference
Chairman: Rev. Dr. Chris James (Immanuel, Downers Grove)
Vice chairman: Rev. Matt Hoffman (St. Andrews, Park Ridge)
Treasurer: Rev. Micah Greiner (St. Peter, Arlington Heights)
Registrar: Rev. Matt Conrad (Cross, Yorkville)
Secretary: Rev. Jamie Holt (St. Mark’s, St. Charles)
Program Committee: Rev. Erik Gauss (Cross, Yorkville), Rev. Jorge Mazariegos (Vida y Fe, West Dundee), Rev. Jonathan Petzold (Beautiful Savior, Antioch)
Nominations Committee: Rev. Braun Campbell (Immanuel, Belvidere), Rev, Peter Imlah (St. John’s, Lombard), Rev. Jeremy Latzke (St. John’s, Algonquin)
2025 Conference
Dates: October 14-15, 2025
Location: Lake Lawn Resort, Delavan, WI
Sabbath Rest – Speaker: Rev. Dr. Joel Biermann
Sabbath Rest
“Remember the Sabbath Day.” Often the commandment gets boiled down to, “Go to church and pay attention.” But a closer look at the 3rd commandment quickly moves beyond Sunday morning into all of life. God’s directive calls us to consider essential existential questions like “What does it mean to be human?” and “What’s the point of life?” And this commandment’s place in the Decalogue also makes us think more carefully about the law and its relevance for the Christian life. There is a great deal of significant theology at work in the idea of sabbath—much more than “be sure to take time to relax and re-create.” Digging in to the richness of the sabbath promises to yield some surprising and significant rewards.
Sabbath Rest Raffle
In order to help promote Sabbath Rest, the executive committee of the conference are donating “Sabbath Rest” baskets to be raffled off during the conference. Every paid registration to the conference will receive tickets to enter into the raffle.
Registration Fees:
Pastor (including Emeritus) Registration: $125
All other registrations (Deaconess, Spouse, District Staff, Vendor, Vicar): $150
Vendor Display Table: $100
We’d love to see every pastor attend this conference. Should you be unable to attend due to financial burden, please contact the registrar.
Housing
Please contact Lake Lawn directly at 800-338-5253 to reserve a room for the conference. Please reference the “NID LCMS Group Rate.” Reserve your room by September 12, 2025 to guarantee the following rates:
Double Queen: $119/night
King: $99/night
Queen Loft: $139/night
Queen Loft: $119/night
King Suite: $169/night
Please note – Lake Lawn also charges a $26/night Resort Fee per room. The resort fee is required on all reservations and is in addition to the nightly room rate.
Please contact the registrar, Matt Conrad, at mconrad@hiscross.org or 630-385-8105 if you have any questions or concerns.
Conference locations
DeKoven Center in Racine, Wisconsin, is the site where East Region pastors meet.
South Region pastors set their conference in the scenic Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Illinois.
Lake Lawn Resort in Delavan, Wisconsin, is host location for the North and West Region combined conference.