Ministry Consultants

The Role of a Ministry Consultant (MC)

Bethesda's Ministry Consultants (MCs) help people with disabilities living in the community become active members in the church. They do this in a variety of ways:

• First, the MC meets with the person who has a disability to make a spiritual life assessment.
• Next, the MC works to match the individual with a congregation. The MC looks not only at routine worship, but also seeks ways for the individual to become part of the congregation’s life through opportunities such as ushering or helping with church dinners.
• Finally, the MC helps the congregation with disability awareness in order to provide a smooth transition when the person with developmental disabilities joins their congregation.
• The MC also provides as much follow-up help as needed.

In addition to working with churches, MCs also reach out to schools and families of people with disabilities. They try to create networks among each of these groups, and between each group, help in educational and informational efforts.

The Results

The true measure of the MC program is the Christian fellowship and faith in God that result for people with disabilites as well as the members of the congregation who welcome them. Congregations’ faith and fellowship are strengthened when they welcome a person with developmental disabilities into parish life.

Read how Trinity Lutheran Church in Lowell, Ind. has included people who have developmental disabilities into their congregation in Not Only Invited, But Involved.

Contact Information

MCs are available to serve you in the following locations. If you don't see a MC listed for your area, please contact Bethesda's Religious Life staff at 1.800.369.4636.

Central California		Southern California
Pamela Martens Ministry Consultant - Central California Region Fresno, CA 559.779.3918 Pamela.Martens@mailblc.org		Rev. Steve Leinhos Religious Life Director - West Coast Unit Lake Forest, CA 949.600.6122 Steve.Leinhos@mailblc.org
Rev. Getabicha Dirassse Ministry Consultant - Northern California Region Redding, CA 530.222.1945 Getabicha.Dirasse@mailblc.org
Colorado		Florida/Georgia
DCE, Susan Hart Ministry Consultant - Rocky Mountain Region Littleton, CO 303.304.9657 Susan.Hart@mailblc.org		Dcs. Lois Diebel Ministry Consultant - Florida/Georgia District Orlando, FL 877.457.5556, ext. 222 Lois.Diebel@mailblc.org
Illinois
DCO, Diane Mueller Ministry Consultant - Central & Southeran Illinois & Eastern Missouri c/o Bethel Lutheran Church Westmont, IL 630.271.9871 Diane.Mueller@mailblc.org		Rev. Philip Gruenbaum Religious Life Director - Midwest Unit Plainfield, IL 815.230.2227 Phil.Gruenbaum@mailblc.org
Indiana
Dcs. Judith Anderson Ministry Consultant - Indiana Fort Wayne, IN 260.452.2283 Judith.Anderson@mailblc.org
Kansas
David Sukolics Ministry Consultant - South Central Region Shawnee Mission, KS 913.906.5024 David.Sukolics@mailblc.org
Michigan/Ohio/New Jersey		Minnesota
Kathy Morris Religious Life Director - Eastern Unit Troy, MI 248.680.1679 Kathleen.Morris@mailblc.org		Dcs. Jeanne Dicke Ministry Consultant - Minnesota/Rhinelander, WI c/o Concordia University St. Paul, MN 612.310.1335 Jeanne.Dicke@mailblc.org
New York
Sandra Rice Resource Developer, Website Content Manager Buffalo, NY 716.631.9212, ext. 112 Sandra.Rice@mailblc.org
Oregon
Michael DeDominick, DCE Ministry Consultant - Pacific Northwest Region Portland, OR 971.230.8905 Michael.DeDomonick@mailblc.org
Texas
Rev. David Cecil Religious Life Director - Southern Unit Cypress, TX 800.220.0423, ext. 4031 David.Cecil@mailblc.org
Wisconsin
Rev. Charles Werth Vice President of Religious Life and Church Relations Watertown, WI 800.383.8743, 920.206.4408 Chuck.Werth@mailblc.org		Pam Bergen Executive Assistant for Mission Advancement Watertown, WI 800.383.8743, 920.206.4410 Pam.Bergen@mailblc.org
Rev. Dennis Kneer Ministry Consultant - Wisconsin 700 Hoffmann Dr Watertown, WI 53094 800.369.4636, ext. 3565 Dennis.Kneer@mailblc.org		Rev. Michael Schempf Chaplain - Watertown Campus Watertown, WI 888.878.8024ext. 3271 Michael.Schempf@mailblc.org
Dcs. Norma Neuhart Chaplaincy Representative Watertown, WI 888.878.8024,ext.3452 Norma.Neuhart@mailblc.org		Charles Schleef Chaplaincy Representative Watertown, WI 888.878.8024,ext.3462 Charles.Schleef@mailblc.org
Lutheran Disabilities Outreach		Church Relations Unit
Rev. Brian Pratt Religious Life Director - LDO Ft. Wayne, IN 260.481.4222 Brian.Pratt@mailblc.org		Megan Hafenstein Public Relations Specialist Watertown, WI 920.206.4426 Megan.Hafenstein@mailblc.org
Lutheran Disabilities Ministry
Don Boden Executive Director Anderson, IN 765.642.9902 Don.Boden@mailblc.org		Linda Boden Program Assistant Anderson, IN 765.642.9902 Linda.Boden@mailblc.org
Dennis Lawson Facility Manager Anderson, IN 765.642.9902 Dennis.Lawson@mailblc.org		Jackie Schaefer Ministry Consultant Anderson, IN 765.642.9902 Jackie.Schaefer@mailblc.org
Ben Stuckey Ministry Consultant Anderson, IN 765.642.9902 Ben.Stuckey@mailblc.org