Our Staff - PathWay Lutheran Ministries

Our Staff

The Lord has blessed us
with a group of highly
gifted and experienced
business and ministry leaders

who are dedicated
to helping congregations
find the path
God provides for their future

Ron Schirmer

Founder, PathWay Lutheran Ministries

Ron Schirmer is the founder and president of PathWay Lutheran Ministries. Once introduced by Rev. Dr. Guido Merkens as "a great gift to our church," Ron's passion is to help congregations build up the kingdom through prayer, sacrificial giving, and a faith that is shared with others. He has visited countless LCMS congregations in 39 states throughout the years, offering the PathWay experience as a catalyst for achieving the vision God has given his people. Before starting PathWay, Ron was in ministry with Aid Association for Lutherans, and brings his investment and motivational expertise to bear when working with our congregations. By God's grace, he continues to be "a great gift to our church."

Rev. Dr. Charles Keturakat

Pastor Emeritus

Pastor Keturakat (Pastor K to his friends) is the co-founder of PathWay. With Ron Schirmer, he developed our process of bringing stewardship renewal to churches by leading congregations to focus on prayer, Word, and sacrament as the catalysts of spiritual growth. Since 1991, Pastor K has preached and led Bible studies in over 550 congregations and Lutheran high school campaigns in over 35 states. He continues to inspire and energize all our consultants as we emulate his history of unselfish service, dedication, and commitment to Jesus Christ.

Rev. Craig Schultz

Consultant

Pastor Schultz has served in five LCMS congregations during his ministry, and has authored numerous Bible studies and small group resources for the church. During his pastorates, by God's grace, he was priviledged to lead five building programs that were facilitated through capital campaigns. In addition, he helped initiate two pre-school programs and two day care centers. He brings this wealth of experience and personal insight to the PathWay campaigns which are blessed to have him as a consultant.

Rev. Ernest Smith

Guest preacher

Pastor Smith has been in the ministry of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod for fifty years. He has served as a missionary in New Guinea, chaplain in the United States Army, and as pastor of congregations in O'Neill, Nebraska, Baltimore, Maryland, and Columbus, Nebraska. He retired from parish ministry in 1991, and since then has been in ministry with PathWay as a preacher, teacher, and Bible Study facilitator. Our congregations love having him in their midst, as they are blessed by depth of his wisdom, love for the Lord, and endearing good humor.

Rev. Peter Alexander

Consultant

Pastor Alexander is a consultant specializing in training and program development for PathWay with particular focus on working with Lutheran schools. In addition to fourteen years of parish ministry experience, he has served in campus, intentional interim, and educational ministry settings. Pastor Alexander has a keen interest in the relationship of theology and culture, and focuses on reading people with the Gospel by understanding and working within their culture and world-view. Congregations who are blessed to work with him experience a renewal of their commitment to making an impact upon their community with the gospel.

Mr. Al Bartels

Consultant

Working with "the movers and shakers of the congregation" is what consultant Al Bartels finds most rewarding about the PathWay experience. Al has made a career of working with God's people as a church musician and soloist. He utilized his Master's Degree in Music Education by teaching public school music education for twenty-three years, in addition to owning his own business. Al's greatest asset to congregations is his ability to train members to carry out the goals of their PathWay campaign in a way that brings God's vision to reality.

Jill Roehl

Consultant

Jill Roehl is a part-time consultant for Pathway Lutheran Ministries. In the nine years she has been a part of the ministry Jill has been instrumental in the development of our training materials and calendar timelines. She is often a member of our dynamic Retreat team that first gathers with a congregation’s newly-formed Campaign Committee. Jill holds a degree in Elementary education from Baylor University and currently lives with her family in Winchester, CA.

Mary Schirmer

Administration

Mary Schirmer is the co-founder and vice president of Pathway Lutheran Ministries. Since starting Pathway with Ron over fifteen years ago, she has played an integral part in the development and growth of the ministry. Mary serves as office manager, head of the cross ministry and campaign coordinator for all Pathway campaigns.