2005 LFL Conference Speakers

2005 LFL Conference Speakers

and Workshop Leaders

Our focus is on exalting Christ in life and death!

Scheduled speakers include:

Wesley J. Smith is an award winning author, senior fellow at the Discovery Institute, an attorney for the International Task Force on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide, and a special consultant for the Center for Bioethics and Culture. He has authored or co-authored eleven books. Smith’s most recently published book is Consumer’s Guide to a Brave New World, in which he explores the morality, science, and business aspects of human cloning, stem cell research, and genetic engineering. Smith’s writing and opinion columns have appeared nationally and internationally.

Rev. Todd Wilken served as a parish pastor in The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod for nine years before becoming host of the daily drive-time edition of Issues, Etc., heard in St. Louis on AM 850 KFUO (www.kfuo.org). In September 2001, Wilken became the host of Sunday Night Issues, Etc., heard on about 100 stations nationwide, on XM radio, and on the Internet. Pastor Wilken holds a Master’s of Divinity degree from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Wilken speaks and preaches nationwide. He has written numerous articles and essays and is author of the booklet, Same-Sex Marriage: Facing the Question. He produced the short radio feature, God Isn’t Finished Teaching. He is formerly co-editor of the theological journal Doctrine and Practice and the editor of the Issues, Etc. Journal (www.issuesetc.org).

Rev. Dr. Richard C. Eyer founded the Concordia Bioethics Institute in 1998, at Concordia University, Mequon, Wisconsin, and continues as Director Emeritus. Dr. Eyer served as pastor at Lutheran congregations in Cass City and Taylor, Michigan, from 1965-1974. He was Director of Pastoral Care at Grace Hospital, Detroit, (1974-5) and Columbia Hospital, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, (1976-1994). In 1990 he was awarded the honor of the Dominus Vitae Award by Lutherans For Life. Dr. Eyer is the author of several books, the most recent being They Shall See His Face, and many articles. In retirement Dr. Eyer continues to teach as Emeritus Professor at Concordia University, where he has been a member of the faculty since 1995. He and his wife, Susan, a Deaconess, have two children and three grandchildren.

Carl F. Schroeder is a practicing attorney in Wheaton, Illinois, where he specializes in Civil Trials and Appeals. He has been certified as a Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and has been peer selected to Illinois Law and Leading Attorneys. He received his B.A. from Valparaiso University and his J.D. from Loyola University of Chicago and has written and taught on a variety of legal subjects. He and his wife, Diane, are members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lombard, Illinois, and have four children, ages 15-23.

Rev. Dr. Randall W. Shields grew up on a farm in Kansas. He and his wife, Sharon, have been blessed with four children, now young adults. He currently serves as a chaplain for Lutheran Senior Services, a Recognized Service Organization of the LCMS, based in St. Louis. The mission statement of LSS is “helping older adults live life to the fullest.” His past experiences include parish ministry, teaching ministry, and campus ministry.

Nancy Valko, RN, has been a nurse for 35 years, working mainly in oncology, home health/hospice, hemodialysis and several kinds of ICUs, including trauma. She is currently a full-time nurse in an ICU. Nancy has been interviewed on many radio and television shows including On Main Street, Focus on the Family, and Wisconsin Public Radio. In 2005 she participated in a program on the Terri Schiavo case for Wisconsin Pulic Radio. She currently hosts an internet program (www.highway2health.net). She has provided news analysis and commentary for numerous publications including The National Catholic Register, First Things, National Right to Life News, St. Louis Post Dispatch, Human Life Review, and nursing journals. Nancy is a contributing editor for Voices, the publication of Women for Faith and Family (www.wf-f.org); spokesperson for the National Association of Pro-life Nurses (www.nursesforlife.org); and president of Missouri Nurses for Life.

Dr. Robert W. Weise is Professor of Practical Theology and occupies the endowed Chair of Pastoral Ministry and the Life Sciences (Biomedical Ethics) at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. This unique Chair, funded by Lutheran Charities of St. Louis, focuses on the relationship between the Scriptures, theology, and the life sciences and how they converge in the training and ministering of pastors. From 1973-1978 he was Professor of Clinical Hematology at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, Michigan. He served as parish pastor in Bunker Hill and Springfield, Illinois, from 1982-1992. Dr. Weise is the author of Playing God – Redesigning Life, a Bible study (available from Lutherans For Life). Dr. Weise and his wife, Janice, have five daughters, and five grandchildren. They reside in Edwardsville, Illinois, where they attend Trinity Lutheran Church.

The Rev. James Likens was ordained as a pastor in The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod in 1982. He served at Trinity, Morrill, Nebraska, and Messiah, Indianapolis, Indiana, before becoming Senior Video Producer with the Board for Communication Services (BCS), LCMS, in 1993. In 1997 he became the Assistant Executive Director of the BCS. In 1998 he started his own company, JDL Video Productions, and has an office at Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis. Prior to the ministry, he was a television and newspaper reporter, professional photographer, advertising director, and newspaper owner. In 1998, as part of the dramatic film, LIFE: It’s a ‘CLASS’ Project, he wrote the song God Knew Your Name. He is married to the former Mary Mantia. He has three children and four grandchildren.

Rev. Dr. James I. Lamb, Executive Director of Lutherans For Life.

Ed Szeto, Director of Outreach for Lutherans For Life.