Rev. Kurt Lueneburg
Rev. Daniel Wagenknecht
Patrick Ruehrdanz
Terry Helton
Tuesday, Jan 24
3:15 – 4:30 pm
Inspiring Generosity that Endures Beyond This Life
In the next 20 years, an estimated $84 trillion is poised to move from older Americans to Gen Xers and millennials. A portion of that wealth transfer will occur within our church body. If God’s people smartly plan their legacy, their wealth could provide financial security for loved ones, significantly impact gifts to the Lord, and help sustain and expand Christ’s gospel work through us in our churches, affiliated groups, and areas of ministry.
This breakout session will discuss how we can inspire the generosity thinking of donors, pastors, and church leaders by emphasizing:
- Planning legacy gifts that benefit loved ones and ministry.
- Celebrating and facilitating generous, smart giving now and at end of life.
- Making stewardship/generosity education a priority and encouraging planned giving activities at local churches.
- Telling the story of generosity already happening with donors and within churches that are doing it well.
- Understanding how different generations and groups of donors give.
After 21 years of serving churches in Memphis, Tenn., and Cannon Falls, Minn., and 7 years of serving as a Christian giving counselor in WELS’ Minnesota and Nebraska Districts, in 2012 Rev. Kurt Lueneburg accepted the call to be the director of WELS Ministry of Christian Giving.
Kurt greatly enjoys the opportunity to meet God’s gifted people, hear their faith stories, and help them offer gifts to our Father because of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. He’s privileged to encourage Christian giving through WELS’ team of giving counselors and office personnel and to assist our district presidents and district leaders as they help congregations grow their mission offerings. All to God’s glory and by his grace!
Kurt and his wife, Susan Ann, live in Ixonia, Wis., and worship at St. John’s, Milwaukee, Wis.
After graduating from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in 1994, Rev. Daniel Wagenknecht was assigned to Good Shepherd in Vallejo, Calif., and then served Grace in Yorba Linda, Calif., from 1999–2019. He also served as pastoral conference secretary, District Mission Board chairman, circuit pastor, and Bible camp director. In 2019 he accepted the call to serve as a WELS Christian giving counselor for the South Atlantic and South Central Districts.
As a Christian giving counselor, Daniel works with WELS members who want to support the ongoing work of the synod and its ministries beyond their regular congregational offerings. He is encouraged by their stories of God’s grace; by the reports from our congregations, mission fields, and schools; and by the privilege to continue serving God’s people with the gospel of Jesus Christ in the Word of God.
Daniel and his wife, DeLyn, live in Apopka, Fla., and attend King of Kings in Maitland.
After working 39 years in his secular career at Grainger, Patrick Ruehrdanz became staff ministry certified for WELS ministry. He received a call from WELS Ministry of Christian Giving and started as a WELS Christian giving counselor in May 2023.
Patrick serves the Northern Wisconsin District, where he helps people offer current gifts that immediately fund WELS ministry. He is excited to daily serve the Lord by talking to people about Jesus’ love and helping them better understand the joy of Christian giving. He prays that, if it is the Lord’s will, he can be a part of bringing to fruition the support that benefits many gospel ministries.
Patrick and his wife, Carol, have three grown children and live in Mukwonago, Wis., and attend St. John’s.
Terry Helton began serving as a WELS Christian giving counselor in May 2023. He was previously an agent for what is now Thrivent Financial, where he assisted people with planning. He then worked for about 28 years as vice president in the family business, LJH Ambulance. Meanwhile, he has enjoyed volunteering in different roles at church. Now, as a deferred Christian giving counselor for the Michigan and North Atlantic Districts of WELS, Terry assists people with offering current gifts and deferred expectancies that support Christ’s ministry.
This call allows Terry to use the skills and abilities that the Lord has given him to serve in God’s kingdom. He is excited about working with WELS members and sharing God’s Word with them.
Terry and his wife, Debbie, live in Kenosha, Wis., and attend New Life in Kenosha.
