Rev. Dr. Terry Tieman, President & Director of DISCIPLESHIP
Terry Tieman began his career in ministry as a pastor in Michigan and Arkansas after graduating from seminary in 1983. He then served for 13 years as Mission Executive of the Mid-South District of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). In 2009, Terry became the Executive Director of Transforming Churches Network (TCN), helping churches become more effective in reaching their communities with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. TCN’s transformation process—which is based on Biblical principles and was developed through worldwide research on effective mission movements and pilot projects—has successfully changed hundreds of churches from the inside out. Terry continues to gain front-line experience as Pastor at Grace Celebration Lutheran Church in Memphis, Tennessee, where he has served since 2018. He is also the author of several books, including Hinges: Opening Your Church’s Doors to the Community, Catching Vision, Skill Builders, and People of Passion. Terry’s most recent work has led to the development of Seasons of Discovery, a step-wise church transformation process. Through EMERGE 29:11, Terry’s valuable knowledge is helping more ministries succeed in their efforts to “…go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).
Paul Reaves, Director of GENEROSITY
Paul Reaves has a heart—and gift—for helping ministries navigate financial terrain. For nearly 33 years, he was part of the leadership team of the Mid-South District of the LCMS, serving as Business Manager in the 1990s, Church Planting Facilitator in the 2000s, and Development Officer in the 2010s (to mid-2024). He also served the ministries, workers and members of the three-state Mid-South region as District Vice President for Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) for just under 30 years, as well as eight years for the LCMS’s Southern Illinois District. Paul is known for his passion to connect people, ministry and resources. As Director of Generosity for EMERGE 29:11, Paul shares key insights gained through his many years of experience in ministry funding and building donor relationships.
EMERGE 29:11 Board of Directors
EMERGE 29:11 is blessed to have the spiritual, organizational, and leadership counsel of the following distinguished Board of Directors:
Rev. Dr. Dale Meyer, President Emeritus and Professor Emeritus of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis
Rev. William Diekelman, Former First Vice-President of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) and Former President of the LCMS Oklahoma District
Rev. Dr. Larry Tieman, Sr. Pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church & School in Crystal Lake, Illinois
Rev. Rich Elseroad, Pastor Emeritus of Grace Lutheran Church in Knoxville, Tennessee
Mr. Dave Graf, Attorney with Forvis Mazars Consulting in Little Rock, Arkansas
Mr. Mathew Pitsch, Deputy Secretary of State and Chief Financial Officer for the State of Arkansas
Dale Meyer is a son of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Chicago Heights, Illinois. A 1973 graduate of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, he has served 12 years in parish ministry (St. Salvator, Venedy and St. Peter, New Memphis, Illinois, Holy Cross, Collinsville, Illinois, and various vacancies in the Southern Illinois District). For 12 years he was Speaker on The Lutheran Hour, where he also hosted a syndicated television show, “On Main Street.” He spent 22 years on the faculty of Concordia Seminary, the last 15 as president. He retired in 2020. He currently is writing the Concordia Commentary on 1 Peter, along with other writing and speaking engagements.
He lives in Collinsville, Illinois, with his wife of 52 years, Diane nee Ermler, who taught at Bloom Township High School. They have two grown daughters, Elizabeth (Darren) Pittman who is a director at Concordia Publishing House and Catharine (Charles) Bailey of Tillotson Advisors, a political consultancy group. They have five grandsons, Christian, Connor and Nicholas Pittman, and Andrew and Jacob Bailey. Both families, we are grateful to say, are active in the Lutheran churches.
Rich Elseroad is Emeritus Pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Knoxville, Tennessee. He is a graduate of Valparaiso University and Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. In his first call, he planted Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Gardendale, Alabama where he remained for 14 years. In 1993, he came to Grace where he would serve as Senior Pastor for 30 years. Pastor Elseroad has always championed evangelism and adult confirmation. He has served in a variety of offices and in the Mid-South District as Evangelism Board Chairman and as District Vice President. He is the father of four adult children and the grandfather of four granddaughters with a grandson coming in 2025. His beloved wife, Susie, died in December of 2022.