After years of preparation and a Call Day [1] filled with joy, 97 Concordia Seminary, St. Louis students received their first calls to pastoral and diaconal ministry and assignments as vicars and deaconess interns.
First calls to serve as pastors, deaconesses, chaplains and missionaries in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod [2] (LCMS) were announced at a 7 p.m. service in which Rev. Brady Finnern [3], president of the LCMS Minnesota North District, delivered the sermon.
“As the Lord has purchased the church with His own blood (Acts 20:28), we give thanks to Him for answering the prayers of His people and once again sending laborers into His harvest (Matt. 9:38),” said Finnern. “In a weary world that hungers for truth and cries out for mercy, our gracious God continues to provide faithful servants to proclaim His saving Word. We celebrate with our new workers and their families as we witness the Good Shepherd sending undershepherds to preach the Gospel of Christ and workers of mercy to serve in His kingdom.”
The pastoral students receiving calls included 28 Master of Divinity (M.Div.) [4] students, three Residential Alternate Route (RAR) [5] students, three Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology (EIIT) [6] students and three Cross-cultural Ministry Center (CMC) [7] students. Four residential Deaconess Studies Program (DCS) students and two EIIT-DCS students also received calls. One deaconess student has a placement pending.
Earlier today, 50 M.Div. and two RAR students who will serve as vicars and two residential Deaconess Studies students who will serve as interns received their one-year assignments at a 3 p.m. worship service. One deaconess student has an assignment pending. The vicarage and deaconess internship assignments provide students the opportunity for in-service education.
During the vicarage and deaconess internship assignment service, Rev. Joel Shaltanis [8], father of second-year seminarian Ambrose Shaltanis and pastor at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Plano, Texas, preached.
“Through the prophet Jeremiah, God promised Israel, ‘I will set shepherds over them who will care for them.’ That is still His intention. Good shepherds love the sheep and are not like the hired hands. But here is the thing: you actually have to love them. You cannot fake it,” said Shaltanis. “The sheep you serve are not your sheep; they are the Lord’s, and you are His servant, called to a life of service. … As Jesus told His disciples, ‘whoever would be great among you must be your servant … even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many’ (Matt. 20:26–28 ESV).”
All calls and assignments will be served in LCMS congregations and ministries. A complete list of assignments and placements, including an interactive map [9] and photos, can be found at csl.edu/call-day [1].
Calls and assignments were shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, in real time during both services, and many people shared their celebratory comments and photos with the hashtag #CallDay2026.
“Call Day fills us with a holy awe,” said Seminary President Dr. Thomas J. Egger [10]. “The living God is calling workers for His harvest. He has given them glorious news to proclaim: Christ is risen! He is living! Come find mercy and eternal life in Him! We thank God for each one receiving a call, and we will be praying for them.”
While April 28 marked the campus’ primary annual Call Day celebration, the Seminary recognizes and celebrates additional calls throughout the year.
Those who are interested in attending the Seminary are encouraged to visit csl.edu/admissions [11] or contact Enrollment at 800-822-9545 or [email protected] [12].
About Concordia Seminary
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis provides Gospel-centered graduate-level theological education for pastors, missionaries, deaconesses, scholars and other leaders in the name of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) [13]. To learn more, visit csl.edu [14].