Walking Humbly and Confidently with Not-Yet Christians
Rev. Dr. Mike Zeigler will lead a conversation with Rev. Matt Peeples, Pastor Dave McGinley, and Rev. Geordie Denholm.
Presentation Summary
Hope is a nearly universal human condition. A famous philosopher said that the central question of every religion is, “For what may we hope?” Starting with hope can be a common ground for walking with the “spiritual but not religious.” However, two assumptions about Christian Hope can keep us from matching pace with not-yet Christians: (1) that Christian hope is beyond comparison; and (2) that Christian hope is like everyone else’s. Moving past these assumptions, Christians can shed our false certainty and learn to walk humbly and confidently with others in hope.
There is no cost to attend, but please let us know that you’re planning to attend.
About Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler
Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler began serving with LHM as Speaker of The Lutheran Hour in October 2018. Prior to that, he served as pastor of Epiphany Lutheran Church (2014-2018) and assistant pastor at Timothy Lutheran Church (2012-2014), both in St. Louis. Before becoming a pastor, he served as an aircraft maintenance officer in the Air Force. He graduated from the U. S. Air Force Academy in 2001 with a general engineering degree and served 5 years in the Air Force. He left active duty in 2006 to prepare to be a pastor at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, completing a Master of Divinity in 2010 and a Ph.D. in 2014. He continues to serve part-time as an Air Force Reserve officer at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, and as a guest instructor at Concordia Seminary. Michael and his wife, Amy, have four children.
Panelists
Pastor Dave McGinley
Dave McGinley is Senior Pastor at Webster Gardens Lutheran Church in Webster Groves. He loves playing or watching any sport, enjoying a good cup of coffee, and trying to get people to say "Amen." He previously served as Associate Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lisle, IL, where he helped launch a new location on Chicago's West Side, Trinity Galewood. Whether the congregation is large or small, multiethnic or monoethnic, affluent or working class, Dave and his family hold to one conviction: ministry is about people and relationships. He is married to Gretchen, and together they have three children — Malachi, Raelynn, and Romy.
Rev. Geordie Denholm
Geordie Denholm is pastor at Jefferson Avenue Mission. He received his B.A. in Theatre at Concordia University Chicago and worked professionally in the storefront theatre scene for a year after graduation. Geordie heard his personal (and VERY obvious) call to attend seminary. After spending the frist year at Seminary long distance, Geordie married his beautiful wife, Kara, on 07/07/17. They then moved every single year for the first 4 years of marraige. Geordie graduated with his M.Div. at the height of the COVID pandemic, but continued education for a year, recieving both his S.T.M. and first Call in 2021.
Jefferson Avenue Misson is a family of Christ's disciples spreading hope through hospitality, service, and joy. We desire to be a santuary for performers and a place where Christians can humbly listen and engage with art even if uncomfortable. J.A.M. hosts 2 resident theatre companies and works with many other artists and performing companies from across STL.
In his co-vocation, Geordie is Production Manager for Brickworks Theatre Company. He and Kara adopted two dogs during COVID. They enjoy playing board games and TTRPGs. They create theatre together, crochet, and enjoy absobing/discussing art of all kinds: food, music, film, video games, and of course God's creation!
Rev. Matt Peeples
Matt Peeples is a pastor and ministry leader dedicated to church planting, revitalization, and equipping everyday Christians for missional work. He holds a Master of Divinity from Concordia Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from Truman State University.
His church planting journey began in 2010 when he launched The Point in Knoxville, Tennessee, a creative church plant known for its radical hospitality and cultural engagement. Later, he served as Senior Pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in New Jersey, successfully guiding a declining 110-year-old congregation into a thriving, multiplying church recognized nationally by Outreach Magazine.
In 2017, Matt founded The Kairos Network to train pastors, church planters, and believers to share the gospel in a shifting culture. He stepped into full-time leadership of the network in June 2022. Under his direction, the ministry developed a comprehensive church planter training pipeline and launched The Missionary Pathway in September 2022. This practical disciple-making initiative rapidly expanded from just 15 initial participants to over 1,000 individuals across 12 countries.
Currently, Matt serves as the Lead Pastor of Faith Lutheran in Oakville, Missouri, while continuing his work with The Kairos Network through webinars, district partnerships, and speaking engagements. He resides in St. Louis with his wife, Liza, and their three sons.