Rev. Dr. Mary Hinkle Shore
Mary Hinkle Shore is the rector and dean of Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary of Lenoir-Rhyne University. Her vocation has unfolded at the crossroads of parish ministry and theological education. Before moving to Columbia this spring, she was the pastor of Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Brevard, North Carolina for six years. She began ordained ministry in North Dakota, and served on the faculty of Luther Seminary from 1997-2013. Dr. Shore publishes regularly in the fields of New Testament and homiletics, having written for Journal for Preachers, Christian Century, Word & Word, and Working Preacher. She grew up in Ashville, Ohio, and has degrees from Capital University (B.A.), Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and Duke University (Ph.D.).
Following our theme of "Both/And: Embracing The Great Commission & The Great Commandment," Dr. Shore will lead us in deep reflection around Matthew 28:16-20 (the Great Commission) and Matthew 22:35-40 (the Great Commandment).
Andrew Steele
Andrew G. Steele serves as the Director for Global Mission Funding with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, (ELCA) a new role as of February 1, 2019. Previously, he was serving as the Director for ELCA Global Church Sponsorship since April of 2015. In this capacity, Andrew oversees the advancement efforts for ELCA Missionaries, Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) volunteers, Global Ministry projects, and the International Women Leaders initiative. These ministries make up $33 million of the $198 million goal as part of Always Being Made New: The Campaign for the ELCA.
He joined the ELCA in 2013 as the Manager of Donor Relations for The Campaign for the ELCA after serving as a Senior Major Gifts Officer for United Way of Metropolitan Chicago. Previously, he spent a year volunteering in Bloemfontein, South Africa, as an ELCA Young Adult in Global Mission volunteer. He is also founded BLOOM Africa, which works to strengthen communities and empower orphans in Lesotho, Africa. He leads annual cultural immersion trips to Lesotho and South Africa. Andrew graduated from Wittenberg University, with a degree in Sociology. He now serves on Wittenberg University’s Alumni Association Board as well as the Board of Directors for We Raise Foundation (formerly Wheat Ridge Ministries,) and Friends of Lesotho. Andrew is a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Chicago.