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John Moldstad Jr., president of WELS’ sister synod the Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS), suddenly and unexpectedly passed away on Jan. 29.
“We know and trust that God in his great wisdom exercises his good and gracious will among us, but we will remain stunned for some time to come as we seek his grace to accept his perfect and beneficial will,” says Glenn Obenberger, who served as ELS vice president under Moldstad.
Born April 6, 1954, Moldstad became ELS president in 2002, after serving calls in parishes in South Dakota, Arizona, and Wisconsin, and as a professor at Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary, Mankato, Minn.
“Our entire synod extends condolences to his wife, Joslyn; to the Moldstad family; and to our brothers and sisters in the ELS,” says WELS President Mark Schroeder. “Pres. Moldstad was my classmate and friend, and he has been the president of our sister synod throughout my time as WELS synod president. He was a strong defender and promoter of confessional Lutheranism and the teachings of the Scriptures. All who knew him would agree that he was a man with a pastor’s heart.”
Obenberger will step in to serve as president of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod until 2022, when Moldstad’s term would have ended.
Volume 108, Number 04
Issue: April 2021
