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MAP Training Celebrates 11 Years


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MAP Training – Mission Applied Practice celebrated its 11th year as a cooperative project of the West Coast Districts to educate and orient our newest pastors to both the ministry and the unique missionary context of our three Districts. This training is designed to closely connect our pastors with all three West Coast staffs and to provide them with a stronger support network.

MAP is an intentional extension of the LCMS PALS program (Post-Seminary Applied Learning). Over the past three years, we have worked closely with Rev. Jonathon Manor from LCMS PALS to better align our New Pastor Training with the rest of the Synod. The CNH District office has consistently hosted this event.


Pictured are most of the MAP leadership team debriefing after two and a half days of training and orientation for sixteen of our newest pastors from the three Districts: CNH, NOW, and PSD. This program intentionally includes our newest SMP pastors, CMC-trained pastors, and residential seminary pastors—together each year for up to three years of structured formation. In addition, all three Districts collaborate to provide professional coaching, mentor meetings, and a reading list.


Plans are also underway to develop a couples’ gathering to better engage the wives of our new pastors.


The newest CNH pastors who participated this year were:

  • Corey Chang – Hope, Daly City (CMC)

  • Kanagasabai Umashankar – Messiah, Ewa Beach (CMC)

  • Kevin Hempe – Our Savior, Pacifica (CTSFW)

  • Jason Iwen – Zion, Winnemucca (CTSFW)

  • Nathan Linehan – First, Yuba City (CMC)

  • Marsh Hamburger – Holy Cross, Rocklin (CTSFW)

  • Jonathan Zoch – Trinity, Gardnerville (CSL)


Leaders pictured around the table (left to right): Rev. Paul Ferguson – Mission Executive, CNH; Mr. Jon Niederbrach – Operations, PSD; Rev. Jim Henkel – Congregational Ministry Executive, PSD; President Mike Gibson – PSD; President Mike Von Behren – NOW.


Not pictured but participating: President Mike Lange – CNH; Mr. Dust Kunkel – NOW; Rev. Ted Moeller – NOW; Rev. Jonathon Manor – LCMS.

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