Glenn serves in the Minnesota South District LCMS as a Gift Planning Counselor with the LCMS Foundation.

The LCMS Foundation focuses on “Linking Christians with Giving Opportunities” by assisting congregational members with their Lifetime Plan for Giving to provide for their families and the ministries they care about today, tomorrow and forever.

Career Highlights:

·        Enjoyed 12 plus years as a graphic artist and project manager

·        Volunteer Editing Manager of The Torch, a quarterly newspaper for the Minnesota District of Lutheran Hour Ministries

·        Established the first gift planning partnership for the LCMS Foundation in 1979

·        Worked with several thousand families and individuals in their current and future giving through direct, deferred and estate gifts

·        Enabling couples and individuals to give more than $150 million to the ministries of their choosing

Q & A 

How many years have you been a development professional?

I was trained as a development professional with Lutheran Hour Ministries in 1978. I joined the staff of the LCMS Foundation in October 1979 to establish their first gift planning partnership with the Minnesota South District and Concordia University, St. Paul, MN, now totaling 28 years.

What led you to being a development professional?

I have a passion to serve people who want to experience the joy of giving.

How does your faith guide you in your work?

My faith in Jesus as my Savior gives me the strength and ability to be a witness and to serve others.

What has been the biggest challenge for you as a development professional?

Being able to handle the rejection that comes with fund development and to keep a positive attitude.

What is the most essential quality of a good development professional?

Honesty and integrity

Who has been a mentor for you and why?

I have had several people in my life that I looked up to as mentors. All of them have shared wisdom and experiences with me, encouraged me when I was doubtful, and challenged me when I was over confident.

How many years have you been a member of ALDE?

I joined ALDE a year or two after the association was organized.

Describe an ALDE experience that has been particularly noteworthy, fun, uplifting, educational, etc.

The annual education conference is the most noteworthy and uplifting ALDE experience for me. I usually bring my wife with me so she can tour some of the cities we normally would not travel to on our own. The other area of the ALDE experience I enjoy is the opportunity to be involved as a leader, especially in the area of education.

What is a favorite book you have read recently and why?

Clown – The Life of Emmet Kelly. I enjoy reading about people who have the ability to make people laugh. I am also a collector of clowns, especially Emmet Kelly.

What three things do you like to do besides working?

-running/walking

-collectibles and antiques

-volunteering time to professional associations like ALDE and

Minnesota Planned Giving Council