Rev. Dr. Phil Hirsch, Executive Director of the Domestic Mission Unit of the ELCA, joined us for Holy Week on April 8 as our guest presenter.
Phil was elected by the ELCA Church Council at its November 2018 meeting and started his role February 1, 2019. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, PA, in 1986 and his Master of Divinity degree from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago in 1990. The seminary is one of seven ELCA seminaries. Phil earned his Doctor of Ministry in homiletics from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, in 1997. Prior to serving on the Churchwide staff, he served as a congregational pastor in Virginia and New Jersey and also as the Director of Evangelical Mission for the Metro D.C. Synod. At the beginning of his ministry with the national office, Phil said:
"I am grateful for this opportunity to help serve and lead the church in its mission in the United States. I believe that Jesus Christ is the light of the world and the hope for our broken humanity. I am confident because I know the Holy Spirit always gives us wisdom, power and love far greater than the challenges we face."
