by John R. Brooks, ELCA News Service
The Rev. Michael A. Last was elected April 21 to a second six-
year term as bishop of the Western Iowa Synod of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) at the synod assembly April 20-
22 in Sioux City, Iowa. Last, 60, was re-elected with 206 votes
on the fifth ballot for bishop over the Rev. David E. Cox,
interim pastor at Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Humboldt, Iowa.
Last led on the fourth ballot for bishop with 187 votes; Cox
received 102 votes; and the Rev. Dennis A. Meyer, St. Paul
Lutheran Church, Atlantic, Iowa, received 82 votes. There were
42 nominees on the first or nominating ballot. Last's new term
begins July 1. He is not eligible for re-election because the
synod limits its bishop to two six-year terms.
Born in Rock Island, Ill., Last graduated with a bachelor's
degree in 1968 from William Penn College (now William Penn
University), Okaloosa, Iowa, and in 1972 he earned a master of
divinity degree from Northwestern Theological Seminary (now
Luther Seminary), St. Paul, Minn. Luther is one of eight ELCA
seminaries. Ordained in 1972, Last was pastor of four Iowa
congregations before he became assistant to the Rev. Curtis H.
Miller, bishop of the Western Iowa Synod, in 1999. Last was
elected to his first term as synod bishop in 2001.
The ELCA Western Iowa Synod includes 68,347 baptized members in
167 congregations. The synod office is in Storm Lake.
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
