NADCE Board of Directors


Dr. Thad Warren is Chair of the NADCE Board and the Chair/Professor of Human and  Social Science at Concordia University Nebraska, He enjoys hanging with his family, teaching others about Jesus’ and attempting to train his dog Murphy.


Maria Devenport is the Chair Elect   of the NADCE Board and recently moved to Fort Collins, CO to serve   at Redeemer Lutheran. She would adopt every old grumpy dachshund if her husband would let her.


Jim Lohman is the Board Secretary and recently retired as Associate Director for LCMS Youth Ministry. Jim enjoys time with his family and friends especially when it’s around the dining room table sharing a meal he has prepared.


Dave Timmerman is the Board Treasurer, After 18 years serving in two parishes with his wife following him, Dave now serves as a Sr. Congregational Connector with Lutheran Hour Ministries.   He loves to read and BBQ.  Dave is married to his high school sweetheart, and they have a teenage daughter.


Kayla McGowan is a member at large who serves as DCE at Our Savior Lutheran Church and School in Aiea, Hawaii. Before moving to the islands she called St. Louis home. She is a 2016 graduate of Concordia University Chicago and a 2022 graduate of Concordia University Irvine. You'll often find her with a cup of green tea in hand. 

Hailey Jo Miller is a member at large who serves as DCE of Student Ministries at Memorial Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She is a 2011 graduate of Concordia University Nebraska. She loves dancing around the house with her three daughters and dreams of being a sourdough aficionado. 

Katie Morgan is a member at large who was born and raised in Brighton, CO. and attended Concordia University Nebraska. She has served at two different churches in Kansas and currently serves at Family of Christ Lutheran in Colorado Springs, CO.  She enjoys working with children and their big people as their journey in the relationship with Jesus. She loves going on walks with her dog Cruze, cooking for others, and watching movies.

Audrey Duensing-Werner a member at large and the Director of Family Life at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Houston, TX.  Just for fun Audrey loves to throw and plan parties.  She is an artist at heart and loves all things wonky.


Jolene Siebarth is a member at large who currently serves as DCE to Youth at Immanuel Lutheran Church ins St. Charles, MO.  She is a graduate of Concordia River Forest (CURF!) and has served in multiple congregations in Missouri.  Jolene loves all things Michigan and has a goal to visit all 50 states and 7 continents. She enjoys travel, visiting family and friends and seeing how many photos she can have on her iPhone.  


Dr. Bill Karpenko  is a member at large and has been a Youth Worker in Western New York, Japan, Nigeria, and Chicago,  two-time Professor and DCE Director, as well as founder of KINDLE. Most notably he was once a high-rolling cabbie in Chi-town but now has retired to a quieter life in Minnesota.

NADCE Support Team


Michaela Seeliger is the Editor of the NADCE Quarterly and serves at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Wichita Falls, TX, where she works in children's, youth, family, and education ministries. However, her very first job was working on her grandparents' Christmas tree farm!

Associate Editor of the NADCE Quarterly is currently vacant. 

Emily Phoenix serves with NADCE, assisting with membership maintenance. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Theology and Dir. of Christian Education certificate from Concordia University Nebraska in 2008. She currently resides in Baltimore with her husband, Jack and serves with KINDLE. Jack and Emily's Halloween costumes always highlight Emily's red hair. 


 The National Association of Directors of Christian Education is a 

Registered Service Organization (RSO) of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS)  and 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

 505 S. Kirkwood Rd. St. Louis, MO 63122

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