Concordia Seminary’s Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) Program is a four-year distance education program that prepares men for specific pastoral ministries in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS). Students receive academic training in the setting where they will continue to serve following ordination. While taking classes through Concordia Seminary, they work with local pastor-mentors who support them in the program with day-to-day guidance, encouragement and prayer.
Sam Troemel receives a Divine Call to Calvary.
Sam Troemel began the SMP program in the fall of 2018. He has now completed two-and-half years of coursework, as well as all of the normal requirements of the synod prior to ordination (e.g., a theological interview with a faculty member, a ministry interview with the district president). Sam celebrated his ordination day at Calvary on Sunday, January 17, 2021. While he is now officially a rostered pastor within the LCMS, he still has further classes to finish over the year ahead. The layout of the program and the ordination process is meant to emphasize the practical application of the educations being received. Everything that is learned in class, in homework, and in mentor discussions is specifically applied and connected to the real-life ministry that is going on within the student's context.
Pastor Troemel's specific ministry at Calvary focuses on intentionally investing in the discipleship of Christians who are young in the faith. This includes youth but also adults who are young in their faith. Sam provides specific leadership within our Youth & Family Ministry, our Contemporary Worship, and also within our Chapel Worship, as well as the many general ministry needs of the church.
