NEWS FROM
LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF

January 27, 2010

For more information contact Emily Sollie at esollie@lwr.org or 410-230-2802.

In this news release:

1. Lutheran World Relief Board of Directors Names the Rev. Richard Nelson Chair, Welcomes Emried Cole to Board

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Lutheran World Relief Board of Directors Names the Rev. Richard Nelson Chair, Welcomes Emried Cole to Board

Baltimore, January 27, 2010 — At their meeting here this week, Lutheran World Relief’s board of directors elected the Rev. Richard A. Nelson as the next chair of the board. New board member Emried Cole, elected at the board’s September meeting to fill a vacant seat, attended his first LWR board meeting.

Nelson, senior pastor of the 2,000-member Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, joined LWR’s board in 2008. He has served in parish ministry for 30 years, serving five parishes in five synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He has assumed synodical leadership positions including Executive Committee for the Council and has also served as adjunct faculty for Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. He holds degrees from California Lutheran University and Luther Seminary. Nelson will replace Kirk Betts as board chair. Betts served on the board for 12 years and has reached the end of his term eligibility.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to follow in the footsteps of such a gifted and passionate leader as Kirk Betts,” Nelson said. “I have enjoyed working with and learning from him, and I look forward to working intensely with LWR in this important and life-changing ministry.”

Cole is vice president of seminary advancement at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg and president of the Gettysburg Seminary Endowment Foundation. He joined the seminary in 2005 following a 35-year legal career including positions as vice president for law and risk management of an operating division of CSX Transportation, and as a partner in the Baltimore office of Venable LLP.  His volunteer service includes serving as board chair of Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries and board of trustees chair for the Board of Pensions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He also serves on the boards of Diakon, Lutheran Volunteer Corps and the Lutheran Deaconess Association. He holds degrees from Emory University and Harvard University.

“LWR, its people and the wonderful work they do throughout the world bringing God’s love to people in need in tangible ways have inspired me for many years,” Cole said. “The opportunity to contribute more deeply and directly to this miraculous ministry through board service is truly a blessing.” 

“My deepest thanks to Kirk Betts for 12 years of dedicated service,” said John Nunes, LWR’s president and CEO. “I’m thrilled to congratulate Rick on his new leadership role at LWR, and to welcome Emried to the board. Each brings unique gifts and talents to LWR, and their gracious service is a blessing to this organization.”

WHO IS LWR? Lutheran World Relief, an international nonprofit organization, works to end poverty and injustice by empowering some of the world's most impoverished communities to help themselves. With partners in 35 countries, LWR seeks to promote sustainable development with justice and dignity by helping communities bring about change for healthy, safe and secure lives; engage in Fair Trade; promote peace and reconciliation; and respond to emergencies. LWR is headquartered in Baltimore, Md. and has worked in international development and relief since 1945.

Lutheran World Relief is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), individuals and parish groups in international relief, development, advocacy and social responsibility.