Rev. Harold Hagedorn, in a letter to the Board for Home Missions (BHM) July 1, announced his intent to retire from his position as administrator in advance of the board's next meeting September 24 and 25. Hagedorn says he is retiring from Home Missions to move on to other parish ministry opportunities.

Hagedorn says he is convinced now is the time to step away as the BHM looks to restructure the administrator position with an emphasis on counseling and training others at the synod and district level who then have direct contact with congregations—a direction he supports. "Recognizing that these activities will involve engaging many in assisting and accomplishing these goals, it seems good to transition now," he writes. "It will be good to have new eyes, new gifts, new skills, and new focus in the BHM pastoral administrator position."

During his 24 years of service as administrator of the BHM, the number of WELS congregations within the United States has had a net gain of more than 70—much of the increase is due directly to new mission starts. "Pastor Hagedorn has served faithfully as the face of Home Missions," says President Mark Schroeder. "The Lord has blessed our synod through his obvious zeal for missions and love for souls. The entire synod is thankful for his faithful and dedicated service."

Hagedorn writes, "I give thanks for the opportunity that the Lord our God provided me to serve in Home Missions." He adds that he and his wife, Kathie, "join in the prayer that the Lord God may continue to use and bless the labors in his name though Home Missions to help gather and equip many in Christ."

A call for nominations from the BHM to replace Hagedorn will be sent synodwide in the near future.