People

Rev. Heath Curtis

Rev. Heath R. Curtis is a native Cornhusker who graduated from Concordia University – Nebraska in 2000. After completing his studies at Concordia Seminary (MDiv) and Washington University (MA – Classics), he served a short stint as an assistant pastor in the Chicago suburbs along with a semester as an adjunct professor of theology at Concordia University – Chicago. Prior to being elected as the 15^th President of the Southern Illinois District, he served as Pastor of Trinity – Worden and Zion – Carpenter (2005-25) and Coordinator for Stewardship for the Office of National Mission (2013-25). He is a two-time Illinois State Champion (2015-16) in the revolver division of the International Defensive Pistol Association and a founding member of the Evangelical Lutheran Hunting Club of Saline, Montgomery, and Other Counties. He and his wife Rebekah began their relationship as National Champions (1998) of the National Parliamentary Debate Association and have continued to argue their way through raising eight children (almost always on the same side). Over the years he has also served as an assistant editor for the works of Johann Gerhard and translator for the new series of Luther’s Works (both from CPH). His recent books include Five Things You Can Do to Live a Jesus-Centered Life (CPH);  Stewardship Under the Cross: Stewardship for Confessional Lutheran Parishes (lcms.org/stewardship); Stewardship for the Care of Souls (Lexham Press with co-author Nathan Meador); Telling People What to Think: A Concise Homiletics for Lutheran Parish Pastors (amazon.com); and The Small Town Lutheran Church and Pastor (amazon.com).