LAMPa’s Policy Council welcomes the Rev. D. Michael Bennethum as a representative from Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod. Bennethum recently retired as the Director for Evangelical Mission in the synod. Over his 43 years of ordained ministry he has served congregations in Pennsylvania and Georgia as well as on the synod and ELCA Churchwide staff. He is the author of “LISTEN! GOD IS CALLING!”, a book in the Lutheran Voices series that deals with connecting faith and daily life. He and his wife, Diane, are the parents of two adult daughters. They live in the Borough of St. Lawrence (outside of Reading), where Mike serves on the Borough Council and as a public library trustee.

Upon joining the policy council, Bennethum shared that he is passionate about addressing the challenges created by the economic disparities in our society – such as generational poverty, food insecurity, and access to quality affordable housing. Bennethum added that he is also deeply concerned about the degradation of the environment and recent attempts to impede voting access for vulnerable segments of the population.

Bennethum has supported LAMPa’s ministry throughout his tenure with the synod and the ELCA, LAMPa Director Tracey DePasquale said. “We are grateful and honored that he has felt called to continue to use his gifts in this work, even as he retires.  His experience and devotion will help us extend our witness as we strive to be church together for the sake of the world God loves.”