Board of Directors

President—Pastor Paul G. Sieveking
Rev. Sieveking continues to serve as Iowa District West president, a position he has held since 2000. Before that, he served at Redeemer, Sioux City, and St. Paul, Ireton. He graduated from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, in 1976 and has served in Iowa District West for 35 years. He previously served as second vice president, as circuit counselor, and as a member of District Commission on Constitutions. He also has served as chairman of LCMS North American Mission Advisory Group, member of LCMS “Mission Forward 21st Century” Task Force, chairman of LCMS Council of Presidents Placement Committee, and as member/chair of various Synod committees.

First Vice President—Pastor Steven Turner
Rev. Turner serves as senior pastor of Trinity, Algona. He previously served the dual parish at Marcus/Quimby. He graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, in 1985 and has been in Iowa District West for 25 years. He has served as second vice president since 2000 and as a member of Iowa District West Board of Directors since 1994. Other service includes chairman of Iowa District West Committee on Lay Ministry; chairman of Rural Ministry Task Force; chairman of the district Stewardship Committee; Floor Committee chairman for 1991 district convention; pastoral delegate to 1989, 1998, and 2004 Synod conventions; and president/member of LFS of Iowa Board of Directors.

Second Vice President—Pastor Roger Carlisle
Rev. Carlisle serves as pastor of  Peace, Wall Lake where he began his ordained ministry. He graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, in 1983 and has been in Iowa District West for 28 years. He has served as a member of Iowa District West Board of Directors from 1994-2000 as Chairman of the Board of Youth Services. Other service includes staff at District Confirmand Retreat and Junior High Retreat; District Reconciler; District Nomination Committee; chairman of District Student Recruitment Committee; Sac City Circuit Counselor; pastoral delegate to 1989 and 2007 Synod conventions, serving as a member of Synod Floor Committee on Program and Finance in 2007; and other various District ad hoc committees.

Secretary—Pastor Albert Buelow
Rev. Buelow is retired and resides in West Des Moines. He previously served at Trinity, Odebolt and Concordia University, Bronxville, N.Y. He graduated from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, in 1960, earned a master of sacred theology degree in 1961, and has been in Iowa District West for 35 years. He also serves as Iowa District West archivist. He previously served as zone LWML pastoral counselor and on numerous synodical boards and committees.

Treasurer—James A. Christensen
Jim is a member of Our Savior, Denison, and has served his congregation as elder, council president, treasurer, and stewardship chairman. He is employed as a certified public accountant and chief financial officer of Professional Computer Systems Company. He has served as treasurer of Iowa District West since 1997 and as a member of the district’s Stewardship Committee and the Endowment and Legacy Committee.

Chairman—Lee Dreyer
Lee is a member of St. Paul, Fort Dodge, and has served his congregation as president, elder, and finance chairman.  He serves on the district Stewardship Committee.  Lee is an Insurance Agent with Farm Bureau.

Chairman, Christian Education Committee—Pastor David Loeschen
Rev. Loeschen is pastor of Our Savior, Denison. He previously served parishes in Nebraska. He graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, in 1985 and has been in Iowa District West for 12 years. He serves as District Student Financial Aid director. He also has served on the district’s Junior High Youth Gathering Committee, as LLL and LWML pastoral adviser, and as chairman of Constitution Handbook Committee (in Nebraska).

Chairman, Missions Committee—Pastor Max Phillips
Rev. Phillips serves as pastor of Christ, Bouton, and as President of Qwest Communications-Iowa and South Dakota.  He has served the district on the Single Adult Ministry Committee, Men’s Ministry Task Force, and “Message Sent” committee.  Prior to his ordination in 2006, he served as congregation president, chairman of elders, and chairman for campus ministry.

Chairman, Human Care Committee—Linda Bettin
Linda is a member of Faith, Early, and has served as a Sunday school teacher and music director. She is employed as a physician assistant at McCrary Rost Clinic, Lake City and Lake View. She has been involved in family practice for the past 20 years. Her husband, Charles, serves as pastor of Faith, Early.

Chairman, Stewardship Committee—Pastor Phill Andreasen
Pastor Phill Andreasen has served as senior pastor of Immanuel, Spirit Lake since 1995.  He previously served parishes in Williamsburg, Iowa, Milford Center, Ohio and Garrison, Iowa.  Since graduating from Concordia Theological Seminary of Springfield, Illinois in 1975 he has had the privilege to serve as Circuit Counselor in two different circuits, as Student Aid and Recruitment Chairman of the Iowa District East, as a member of the Mission Committee of Iowa District East, as chairman of the Education Committee of Iowa District West, and as a member of the Commission on Church Growth of the LCMS.

Chairman, Youth Services Committee—Pastor Steve Hayden
Rev. Hayden serves as pastor of Mount Calvary, Indianola. He previously served St. John, Germantown, as well as in parishes in Illinois and Nebraska. He graduated from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, in 1986 and has been in Iowa District West for 15 years. He also serves as assistant for youth events. He previously served as Circuit Counselor, Cub Weeks staff, Youth Gathering Committee member and dean, and Rural Ministry Committee member.

Ordained Minister-At-Large—Pastor Larry Lemke
Rev. Lemke serves as pastor of St. Paul, Aurelia. He previously served Dow City/Buck Grove as a vicar before being certified by the Synod’s Colloquy Committee in 1990 and has been in Iowa District West for 22 years. He serves on the Iowa District West Nominating Committee and has served as a Circuit Counselor.

Commissioned Minister-At-Large—Brian L'Heureux
Brian serves as principal at Zion Lutheran School, Denison. He previously served in West Point, NE as Principal. Brian graduated from Concordia University in 1996 where he accepted his first Call to Cincinnati, OH. Brian has been in the Districts of Ohio, Michigan, Nebraska, and now Iowa District West. He began his service to IDW through being on a task force committee for stewardship. Brian has been in the District for four years.

Lay Member-At-Large—Kevin Clausen
Kevin is a member of Trinity, Mallard.  He has served his congregation as vice president, elder, and Sunday school treasurer.  He has a B.S. from Iowa State University and farms in the Mallard area.

Lay Member-At-Large—Garry Gruhn
Garry is a member of Trinity, Manilla, and has served as treasurer, chairman of evangelism, and Bible class teacher.  He has a B.S. in Business Administration and is self-employed