Southwestern Community College

The Center for Renewal is a cooperative ministry of Grand View in Des Moines, Iowa, and the Southeastern Iowa Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.Our mission is to renew the saints and the church so that the light of Christ can be more brightly reflected in the world.The Center began in 2005 out of the shared vision of the president of Grand View and the bishop of the Southeastern Iowa Synod. Bishop Hougen was aware of the lack of in-depth knowledge of both the Bible and of Lutheran theology among the members of congregations, and of the need to foster and support renewal in congregations. President Henning, aware of the University's academic resources and facilities that could be applied to renewal, committed to this partnership with the synod, offering a setting and staff to foster education, dialog, and support for individuals and congregations who wish to pursue renewal.In October 2006, Pastor Dwight DuBois became the first director of the Center. He brings passion, education and expertise in shaping a vision so that the church can be renewed in its call to go into the world with the message of God's remarkable love. He focuses the renewal of the church on three core tasks: rediscovering the ability to discern, proclaim and participate in God's redemptive mission in the world. He believes that the best means by which the church will be renewed lies in allowing room for the Spirit to work and attending to these core tasks.To begin this journey toward renewal, the Center for Renewal promotes discussion, offers events and provides services designed to foster and support renewal in the congregations of our synod" and beyond.An Advisory Board assists in designing the programs and offering support to the staff. The members are: Greg Geier, pastor at St. John Lutheran Church in Preston ; Jennifer Henry, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Clinton ; Myron Herzberg, pastor at Memorial Lutheran Church in Nevada ; Julie Leeper, member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Knoxville ; Chris Olkiewicz, pastor of Windsor Heights Lutheran Church, Windsor Heights ; Kathy Roys, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Grinnell, and Ritva Williams, Professor of New Testament at Augustana College in Rock Island, IL.