Joel Kassulke went to the synod convention with the intent of learning more about the work of his church body. He returned home with serious thoughts of a change in vocation.

Lieutenant Colonel Kassulke, a lay delegate from Rock of Ages, Kansas City, Kan., has served in the United States Army for 23 years, beginning at age 17. Like many soldiers, his military service has brought about frequent relocations. Every two to three years, he and his family moved and then joined WELS congregations throughout the United States.

But now, Kassulke notes, “this is the first assignment I have where I can reconnect with the church in a different way. God has put us in a place that has allowed me not only to come to this convention, but I think he’s really working on my heart and spirit about second-career ministry.”

During the convention, Kassulke heard numerous speakers and presentations on the need for more called workers. In addition, he wound up serving on the Board for Ministerial Education Floor Committee where there were discussions on the need to recruit more called workers.

All this has led Kassulke to think seriously about training to become a called worker himself, something he says he needs to think through with his family. “Every conversation I had, I could see God’s work in mysterious ways,” he says. “I feel right now that he’s banging me on the head and poking me in the chest and saying, ‘How much more obvious do I need to make this?’ ”

Besides answering the call for additional called workers, Kassulke explained another reason for contemplating a vocational change to service in the public ministry: “One of my sons is thinking of potentially becoming a pastor and the other one a teacher. More and more, I feel like now it’s my job to encourage them in that path as well.”

With one year remaining in his military career, Kassulke had been thinking of relocating his family to a place where his three children could attend an area Lutheran high school. After attending the synod convention, he has added New Ulm, Minn., and Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School to his list. And Martin Luther College could have one or more students named Kassulke in the near future.

For more coverage of the 2025 WELS convention, visit forwardinchrist.net/convention.