More than two-thirds of Lutheran Hour Ministries' registered voting members cast ballots in the recent election to fill four seats on the Board of Directors for the International Lutheran Laymen's League/Lutheran Hour Ministries. Michael "Mick" Onnen of Stanton, Nebraska, was elected to a second three-year term while Robert "Bob" Rauscher of Scottsdale, Arizona, Dr. Kurt Senske of Austin, Texas, and Douglas Werth of Arrington, Tennessee, were elected to their first terms on the Board.
• Onnen was general manager of a natural resources district for 41 years and handled administration, budgeting, personnel, planning, and legislative matters. He has served the Lutheran Laymen's League at the international level as president, secretary, regional governor, and committee chair. He also was district president, vice president, and special projects chair, as well as zone president, vice president, and secretary. Married with three children and eight grandchildren, Onnen served several roles in his congregation (including chairman and elder). He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska and was founder/president of the Davenport Community Foundation.
• Rauscher's increasing responsibility with Amoco over 36 years led to group vice president-petroleum products marketing. His executive duties included sales/marketing operations, strategy development/execution, human resources, and more. A member of LHM's National Leadership Council, he served on Boards of Regents for Concordia University Chicago (including Foundation chair) and Concordia College Alabama. He also served on Concordia Seminary's National Leadership Council. Married, with three children, he has been active in LCMS congregations as president, vice president, elder, and call committee chair. Rauscher received a bachelor's degree in marketing from Southeast Missouri State University and completed the Management Program at the University of Pittsburgh.
• Senske is CEO of Upbring (formerly Lutheran Social Services of the South), a multi-faceted, multi-state, social service agency with nearly 1,000 employees. He previously was assistant to the president for Concordia University-Texas after practicing law and serving as a political consultant. He was board chair for Thrivent Financial and InFaith Community Foundation and is completing his second term on the LCMS board. Married (one daughter), Senske completed undergraduate studies in business administration at Concordia University-Austin and Valparaiso University. He holds a law degree from the University of Illinois, earned a Ph.D. at the University of Texas, and has authored five books.
• Werth worked for a leading international manufacturing corporation for 27 years in progressive leadership positions, including four years as chief auditor with global responsibilities and six years in Hong Kong as chief financial officer of the Asia region. He has served on four Lutheran nonprofit boards (including chair for the Hong Kong International School-LCMS) and has 35 years of church leadership experience. A member of LHM's National Leadership Council, he has visited more than 60 countries through work and short-term mission trip experiences. Married (father of four), Werth holds a bachelor's degree in commerce from Washington & Lee University.
Thanks to everyone who participated this year in the election process! Want to vote in 2020? Anyone who gives a gift to LHM between July 1, 2018 and Dec. 31, 2019 and is a member of a congregation of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod or Lutheran Church—Canada will be eligible to register for next year's voting membership. Look for a postcard in the mail in February 2020 with details on how you can register to vote before next spring's March 15 deadline.