Rev. John Mehl joins Concordia as director of mission partnerships and church relations

Rev. John Mehl recently joined the Concordia community as the director of mission partnerships and church relations. His role includes developing and nurturing partnerships with churches and districts of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, as well as with national and international missions to encourage mission involvement and opportunities for the campus community.

“It is a privilege and joy to be part of an institution that exists to advance God’s kingdom by preparing servant leaders for engagement in the church and world,” Mehl said.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts in religious studies/humanities from Concordia University in Ann Arbor, Mich., a Master of Divinity from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Mo., and a Doctor of Ministry in missional leadership, also from Concordia Seminary.

Mehl led a rural parish for eight years before serving as a missionary in Russia, Germany and Hong Kong for more than 20 years.

A focus for Mehl at Concordia is to provide mission opportunities for traditional and nontraditional students and faculty, partly by teaching courses about mission work and cultural awareness.

A new course, Special Topics in Missions, will be offered this summer in a combination of online and face-to-face settings. The course will focus on the personal attitudes and skills needed for effective cross-cultural understanding and ministry. A second course, Mission of God, will be offered on Monday evenings in the fall. The course will explore Biblical background, historical periods, current philosophy and best practices of mission outreach.