Planned Giving

Contact Pastor Ele Clay:

Name:(Required)

First Last

Email Address:(Required)

Enter Email Confirm Email

Subject:(Required)

Message:(Required)

Name

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

While working for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Dorie served as a crisis counselor, developing curriculum and teaching peer and crisis support training for federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies. In 2016, Dorie left government work to expand her reach through her training company, Crisis Support Solutions, LLC. During the last seven years, Dorie has developed and delivered training that teaches personnel how to provide care and offer hope to peers overwhelmed by crisis and struggling with stress.

Dorie has Masters in Divinity from McAfee School of Theology (MDiv) at Mercer University and a Masters in Social Work (MSW) from Savannah State University, Savannah, GA in 2005. After entering the candidacy process for Word and Service, Dorie completed a Certificate of Advanced Theological Study (CATS) at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (PLTS) in Berkeley, CA. A candidate for the diaconate, Dorie serving her internship at St. Francis of the City in Houston.

She is currently working with Louisiana leaders to deal with the salt water crisis in New Orleans. Having avoided hurricanes so far this season, she and the Disaster Team are working on disaster mitigation and preparation.

If you need to contact Dorie, she can be reached at dorie@gulfcoastsynod.org.

Chris is passionate about networking and identifying new ways to support individuals and congregations as they grow a deeper, bolder, more consequential faith. Chris maintains the LEAD website, supports LEAD’s signature coaching, and collaborates on the 10 Minute Toolbox.

Contact:

Peggy Hahn serves as the Executive Director for LEAD, aligning passionate leaders, resources, and practices to grow Christian leaders who grow faith communities in our world. Peggy is a frequent speaker and author who is never without a pile of books to read and seeks coaches and mentors for herself in an ongoing quest to learn and grow. Peggy is committed to listening to pastors and leaders of all ages for insight into the ways they are growing in their own faith and what LEAD can do to support them in their development as leaders.

Contact Peggy Hahn:

Name:(Required)

First Last

Email Address:(Required)

Enter Email Confirm Email

Subject:(Required)

Message:(Required)

John Roalson began his work in the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod in May of 2023 as the gift planner with Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest.

John received his undergraduate degree from Texas Lutheran University. Prior to coming to the foundation, John worked in the financial services industry for 20 years. He resides in Katy with his wife, Paula and has two daughters, Hannah & Abigail – all of whom also graduated from Texas Lutheran. John is a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Houston.

John is available to meet with individuals and couples to help them plan legacy gifts that will bless family and loved ones, the ministries of our church, and other non-profit organizations that are important to them. He also works with congregations to assist them in being prepared to receive, celebrate, and steward legacy gifts from members and friends of the congregation. Low-cost, professionally managed investment options for congregations and other ministries are available through Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest and the ELCA Foundation.

I have been an office administrator for 15+ years, with a great amount of time in the health industry. I love making organizations organized and running smoothly.

I have lived in Texas most of my life. My husband Ernie and I have 3 grown daughters and 2 grandchildren. Outside of work I love to work on our small farm, crochet, cook and spend time with family and friends.

Contact Beth Morris:

Name:(Required)

First Last

Email Address:(Required)

Enter Email Confirm Email

Subject:(Required)

Message:(Required)

Comments

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Pastor Escalera and his wife Magda come to us from the New Jersey Synod. He has a bachelor’s degree in finance and a master’s degree in theology from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. He is a trained mission developer who has served congregations in Puerto Rico and New Jersey. In his current call, he is re-developing Temple Lutheran Church, while launching a new Latino ministry, Misión Luterana Reconciliación. He is the police, fire, and EMS chaplain in the town where he serves.

Contact José Luís Escalera:

Name:(Required)

First Last

Email Address:(Required)

Enter Email Confirm Email

Subject:(Required)

Message:(Required)

Prior to serving on Synod Staff, Tracey Breashears Schultz served Zion Lutheran Church in Houston, Texas. Prior to that, she served at MacArthur Park Lutheran Church in San Antonio. A graduate of The University of Arkansas, Tracey received her Masters of Divinity from Wartburg Theological Seminary, and her Doctor of Ministry from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.

Before her journey toward ordained ministry, Tracey was a Spanish teacher and a trainer for a medical software company.

Contact The Rev. Tracey Breashears Schultz:

Name:(Required)

First Last

Email Address:(Required)

Enter Email Confirm Email

Subject:(Required)

Message:(Required)

Blog | Twitter | Facebook

Serving as bishop of the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America since 2007 is an honor, a challenge, and a joy. It has given me the opportunity to work with many gifted pastors and committed people of faith. We’re creating communities that make disciples who serve the world in Jesus’ name.

For information updated weekly (sometimes daily) on news, events, ideas, books, schedules, and so on, visit my blog.

Evangelism is one of my passions, and our synod’s highest priority. Evangelism is making fully devoted followers of Christ, who taught love of God and neighbor as the greatest commandments. Every congregation is a mission, and every pastor is a missionary.

Together we plant new congregations, send missionaries, prepare rostered leaders, support companion synods, camps, campus ministries, and more. Our vision is to be a network of growing, Christ-centered, outwardly-focused congregations passing the faith to the next generation.

Biographical Information

Born: August 2, 1961, Columbus, Ohio

Wife: Susan

Children: John and Yuliana

Parents: Warren and Patricia Rinehart

Undergraduate studies: Bachelor of Music in organ performance from Valparaiso University, a Lutheran university in northern Indiana, 1983

Seminary: Masters of Divinity from Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio, 1988.

Calls:

St. Paul Lutheran Church, Davenport, Iowa (1988-1994)
Christ Lutheran Church, Charlotte, North Carolina (1994-1997)
Grace Lutheran Church, Conroe, Texas (1997-2007)
Bishop, Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod (2007-present)

Currently Serving:

Texas Lutheran University Corporation Board
Houston Coalition for Immigration Reform
Board of the Houston Coalition for Mutual Respect

Contact Bishop Michael Rinehart:

Name:(Required)

First Last

Email Address:(Required)

Enter Email Confirm Email

Subject:(Required)

Message:(Required)

Planned Giving

Have you ever wondered what your legacy of faith might look like? Planned Giving can help you leave a legacy that makes a difference in the world by supporting ministries important to you.

Your values that acknowledge God’s work on earth can be extended in your last will and testament through assets named for charity or estate plans through beneficiary designations. In some cases, the opportunity to designate social capital – the taxes your heirs would pay on IRAs and 401Ks – can be redirected to your congregation, synod, and other Lutheran ministries you value and support.

Planned giving is the process of legally declaring your wishes, gifted to ministry from your own assets. Your gift is a lasting witness about what you value.

The redirection for tax advantaged plans can be facilitated by a gift planner, who will only provide counsel that accomplishes the goals you have in mind for family, friends, and the mission of the church at no cost or obligation. Charitable remainder trusts, gift annuities, endowments, and other approved ways to transfer funds left after life may benefit your family as well as ministry.

It takes vision and long-range perspective to plant seeds today that go into effect for future generations. Seeds of generosity – planned giving – make a difference tomorrow. A final stewardship gift is the culmination of lifelong stewardship. We believe every Lutheran has the capacity to leave a gift.

Through Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest (LFSW), the synod has a gift planner who provides services to interested individuals and families. For help, ideas, or information on how you can remember the church and its ministries in your planning documents or to have bring this information to your congregation, please contact LFSW, 800.434.0447.

“

… you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Contact Pastor Ele Clay:

Contact:

Contact Peggy Hahn:

Contact Beth Morris:

Contact José Luís Escalera:

Contact The Rev. Tracey Breashears Schultz:

Biographical Information

Calls:

Currently Serving:

Contact Bishop Michael Rinehart:

Planned Giving

FIND A CONGREGATION

DONATE

EVENTS

Join Our Newsletter