North Wisconsin District
~ Pastors' Conference Information Page ~
All Available Information such as
Downloadable Conference Information, Registration Form, & Schedule
And Online Registration are located Below
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~Registration is Open~
FALL PASTORAL CONFERENCE
Monday, Oct. 20th - Wednesday, Oct. 22nd
The Lismore Hotel
333 Gibson St.
Eau Claire, WI 54701
(715) 835-8888
"The Current State of the Pro-Life Movement"
About Our Speakers:
Rev. Dr. Aric Fenske
The Rev. Dr. Aric Fenske is a 2011 graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Since that time, he has served as the pastor of two dual parishes in the North Wisconsin District – LCMS, where he has been active in several different pro-life organizations. Dr. Fenske earned his Doctor of Ministry in 2019, again from Concordia Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Marie, have four daughters—Madison, Alexis, Hailee, and Marta—along with two grandsons, James and Rustyn. Dr. Fenske assumed his duties as Executive Director of Lutherans For Life on May 1, 2025
Dcs. Chrissie Gillet
Deaconess Dr. Chrissie Gillet joined Lutherans For Life in April 2017 to serve as the Director of the Word of Hope ministry. An Air Force Veteran, Chrissie served as a staff psychologist during her military career. She is also a certified deaconess in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, offering a profound understanding of both the secular worldview and a Christ-centered identity. Her vocations as a pastor’s wife and mother of a large family fuel her deep compassion for life.
Chrissie leads the Word of Hope ministry with dedication, overseeing marketing, training, media production, public speaking (accompanied by her service dog, Phoebe), and spiritual support. She is known for listening without personal judgment while responding with Christian truth and love, creating a safe, grace-filled space for those in need. Her commitment extends beyond direct care – she actively connects people with pastors, local services, and natural support systems.
Of all her responsibilities at Word of Hope, Chrissie’s two most valued roles are building relationships with other life-affirming organizations and offering spiritual care to those brokenhearted by life issues.
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FALL CONFERENCE INFORMATION
Deadline for Conference reservation:
Monday, Oct. 6th
LOCATION: CONFERENCE COST:
The Lismore Hotel $ 125 - Pastors & Other Church Workers
333 Gibson St. $ 40 - Spouses
Eau Claire, WI 54701 $ 20 - Children (under 3 free)
(715) 835-8888 $ Free - Retired Pastors
https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/eaudtdt-the-lismore-hotel-eau-claire/
CONFERENCE HOUSING OPTIONS:
When making reservations, reference "NWD Pastoral Conference"
** Please provide tax-exempt number at check in. **
Blocks of discounted rooms are available at the following hotel:
A block of discounted rooms is available at The Lismore Hotel for $149/night.
Discounted rate available only until September 30th.
Rooms can be booked online by CLICKING HERE or call (715) 835-8888
The Lismore Hotel Rooms at $149/night
333 Gibson St.
Eau Claire, WI 54701
(715) 835-8888
An Additional block of rooms is available at the nearby sister property:
The Oxbow Hotel for the same rate listed above.
All meals are still included in your registration cost and you are able to participate
in all meals at The Lismore with the group even you are staying at the Oxbow.
The Oxbow Hotel Rooms at $149/night
516 Galloway Street.
Eau Claire, WI 54703
(715) 839-0601
To book a room at the Oxbow Hotel calling 1 (844) 692-6932 reference “NWD Pastoral Conference”
or book online by: CLICKING HERE
If so desired, you may book elsewhere at a cheaper hotel option in the Eau Claire area.
EMERITUS/ RETIREES:
Retired pastors are invited to attend with no registration fee, but are still required to register. Spouses of retired church workers are asked to pay $40 to cover the cost of their meals. Housing for the conference is the responsibility of those who attend.
DEADLINES:
Deadline for conference reservation is Monday, October 6th.
SPOUSES AND FAMILIES:
All are invited and welcome but asked to pay $40 for spouse and $20 per child (3 & up) to cover the expense of meals. Thank you for your understanding.
MEALS:
Gemütlichkeit @ DIVE Bar (at The Lismore Hotel) on Monday evening, Breakfast Buffet on Tuesday morning and Wednesday morning, and Banquet on Tuesday evening are included in conference registration. All other meals are on your own.
VENDORS:
Are you looking to have a table display set up during the Pastors Conference?
Please contact Rev. Steve Kline <revkline@shepherdhills.org> (920) 757-5722
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CONFERENCE:
Please direct all questions about the conference to Rev. Matthew Ruesch
<pastor@ourredeemerkingsford.org> (906) 396-7401
Questions ONLY about online registration may be directed to Rev. Larry Yaw:
<pastor.yaw@netnet.net> (920) 822-3511
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Two Easy & Convenient Ways to Register:
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Print off the form & return via mail with a check
to the address on the form (also listed below)*
NWD Fall Pastor Conference Registration
Pastor Robert Hopkins
c/o St. John Lutheran Church
PO Box 9
Cadott, WI 54727
DOWNLOADABLE FORMS AVAILABLE BY CLICKING HERE
Complete & Return with payment to the address on form by Monday, October 6th.
2. Online Registration & Online payment (See Below)**
Register & pay for multiple church workers from the same congregation
Registration is Open
Click the button below to register online
Please register By Monday, October 6th
~ ONLINE REGISTRATION IS OPEN ~
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VENDORS are you looking to have a table display set up during the Pastors Conference?
Please contact Rev. Steve Kline <revkline@shepherdhills.org> (920) 757-5722
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2025 NWD FALL PASTORS’ CONFERENCE
Schedule of Events
The Lismore Hotel
333 Gibson St.,
Eau Claire, WI 54701
Monday, Oct. 2o
11:00 am Registration Opens
12:30 pm Prayer for Noon
1:00 pm Welcome
1:15 pm LFL – Presentation #1
2:00 pm Break
2:15 pm LFL – Presentation #2
3:00 pm District Business
4:00 pm Divine Service
St. Matthew Lutheran Church,
1915 Hogeboom Ave, Eau Claire
Dinner on your own
6:00 pm -10:00 pm
Gemütlichkeit @ DIVE Bar (in The Lismore Hotel)
Tuesday, Oct 21
7:00 am Breakfast Buffet @ The Lismore Hotel (included in registration)
8:30 am Matins
9:15 am LFL – Presentation #3
10:30 am Break
10:45 am LFL – Presentation #4
12:00 pm Prayer for Noon
Lunch on own / Free time
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Banquet @ The Lismore Hotel (included in registration)
Wednesday, Oct 22
7:00 am Breakfast Buffet @ The Lismore Hotel (included in registration)
8:30 am Matins
9:15 am LFL – Presentation #5
10:30 am Break
10:45 am LFL – Presentation #6
11:30 am Conference Business
11:45 am Itinerarium
12:00 pm Depart / Lunch On Own
Handouts from the 2024 Spring Pastors Conference
- Ruesch - YMT Christian Assembly
- Saunders - Compassion Fatigue
- Saunders - Part 1: Luther
- Saunders - Part 2: Luther
- Saunders - Resilience
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Current Pastors Conference Planning Committee Members
The committee is responsible for planning the both the Fall & Spring Pastors Conference of the North Wisconsin District. Terms are for 2 years, with elections taken place at the Fall Conference.
- Rev. Matthew Ruesch (Until Fall 2025)
- Rev. Aric Fenske (Until Fall 2025)
- Rev. Steve Kline (Until Fall 2026)
- Rev. Robert Hopkins (Until Fall 2026)
NWD Pastors Conference Appointed Positions
- Rev. Brian Liermann - Treasurer of the Pastors Conference
- Rev. Larry Yaw - Online Registration / Advisor