Eleven LSTC Alumni Lead as Bishops: Guiding the ELCA into the Future

Across the ELCA, the call to bold, faithful leadership is being answered by eleven Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago alumni currently serving as bishops in synods across the country. These leaders, shaped by their theological formation at LSTC, are guiding congregations and communities through a time of deep transformation for the church and the world.

From urban neighborhoods to rural communities, from the Gulf Coast to the Rocky Mountains, LSTC graduates are helping guide the next steps of the ELCA. Their leadership reflects the breadth of the church itself—diverse in context, yet united by a shared commitment to faithful service, theological principles, and a ministry grounded in justice, global awareness, and hope.

In the Rocky Mountain Synod, Bishop Meghan Johnston Aelabouni brings a global perspective to her leadership, rooted in years of service in Jerusalem and across the Middle East. Elected in 2024, she now shepherds a synod that spans Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico, and parts of Texas. Her journey from LSTC to the bishop’s office reflects a lifelong dedication to building bridges across cultures, faiths, and borders.

Further south, the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod is led by Bishop Tracey Breashears Schultz, whose election in 2025 marked a new chapter for one of the ELCA’s most diverse and expansive regions. Schultz’s experience as a parish pastor and synod leader, combined with her doctoral studies at LSTC, inform her bold and compassionate approach to proclaiming the gospel in a rapidly changing context.

In LSTC’s own immediate geographic purview, alum and Bishop Yehiel Curry serves the Metropolitan Chicago Synod, where his work embodies a deep connection to community, global partnerships, and justice. Curry, who was re-elected in 2025 and currently serves as chair of the ELCA Conference of Bishops, began his ministry as a mission developer and continues to lead with energy, creativity, and a commitment to inclusion.

The Midwest is also home to Bishop Stacie Fidlar, serving the Northern Illinois Synod since her election in 2022. In addition to her role as bishop, Fidlar is a dedicated member of the LSTC Board of Directors, where she helps guide the seminary’s mission and future. Her leadership reflects a deep commitment to theological education, community partnerships, and the well-being of both congregations and students.

Bishop Donald Kreiss continues to lead the Southeast Michigan Synod, offering steady pastoral and administrative guidance to congregations navigating both challenge and possibility. His formation at LSTC and years of ministry in Michigan have prepared him to accompany the church with humility and care.

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod recently welcomed Bishop Melissa Stoller, elected in 2025 after years of service in both parish ministry and as director for evangelical mission. Her leadership is shaped by advocacy, global engagement, and her formative years at LSTC, where she deepened her commitment to the intersection of faith and justice.

Across the ELCA, these leaders are joined by fellow LSTC alumni serving in bishop roles, from the Gulf Coast to the Upper Midwest to the nation’s capital. Though their contexts vary, they share a common foundation and passion for leading the church into God’s unfolding future.

LSTC celebrates the service and leadership of its alumni who answer the call to serve as bishops, and the countless others who serve in congregations, chaplaincies, classrooms, and communities around the world. Their collective work reflects the heart of LSTC’s mission: to form leaders who guide the church with courage, wisdom, and hope for our shared world.

LSTC Alumni Serving as ELCA Bishops