Eight Concordia Nebraska alumni graduate from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne

On Friday, May 17, 2024, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne conducted commencement exercises, which included eight Concordia University, Nebraska alumni. Concordia Nebraska Professor of Theology Dr. Mark W. Meehl attended the event as a regent. Concordia Nebraska alumni included John Kastner, Aaron Ferguson, Alex Kaldahl, Zachary Staehr, Sam Smith, Chris Warneke, Joseph Greenmyer and Isaiah Armbrecht. All but Armbrecht received their master of divinity degrees. Armbrecht was awarded the master of divinity degree last year and this year earned the master of sacred theology (STM) degree. All have received calls to serve in parishes except Ferguson and Smith. They will remain in Fort Wayne to work toward their master of sacred of theology degrees.  

“As Concordia Nebraska is renewing our emphasis on church work preparation, this is a fine time to note the impactful contributions our graduates will make on behalf of the church,” said Meehl. “And this outstanding list is from only one class of one of our seminaries!” 

Concordia Nebraska alumni have swept the awards for outstanding students in the Biblical languages two years in a row, said Meehl. Last year Isaiah Armbrecht (Hebrew) and Brennan Deforest (Greek) were recognized, and this year John Kastner (Hebrew) and Joseph Greenmyer (Greek) received accolades. 

The churches to which the men have been called include: Isaiah Armbrecht (Our Savior Lutheran Church, Manchester, Iowa), Joseph Greenmyer (Faith Lutheran Church, Parkston, South Dakota, and Saint Peter Lutheran Church, Emery, South Dakota), Alex Kaldahl (Trinity Lutheran Church, Marcus, Iowa, Pilgrim Lutheran Church, Quimby, Iowa, and Trinity Lutheran Church, Hinton, Iowa), John Kastner (Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, Olathe, Kansas), Zachary Staehr (Trinity Lutheran Church, Manilla, Iowa), Christopher Warneke (Redeemer Lutheran Church, Arkansas City, Kansas, and Trinity Lutheran Church, Winfield, Kansas). 

In addition, two of Concordia Nebraska’s African American alums from the late 1970’s and early 1980’s - James Wiggins, Jr. (recently deceased) and his brother Steven - have long served as pastors in The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Their father, Rev. James Wiggins, Sr. received an honorary doctor of divinity degree during the commencement festivities, as well. 

Concordia University, Nebraska, founded in 1894, is a fully accredited, coeducational university of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod located in Seward, Nebraska, which currently serves more than 1,700 students. Concordia offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in an excellent academic and Christ-centered community that equips men and women for lives of learning, service and leadership in the church and world. For more information, visit cune.edu.