Meet Your Pastoral Counselors

By Lynnette Campbell

In the May 2026 issue of The Joyful Servant we introduced our elected officials. This month we introduce our two Pastoral Counselors.

The counselors are selected by a process which starts with a brainstormed list by the LWML CNH Executive Committee and Board of Directors. This list is sent to the LCMS (Lutheran Church Missouri Synod) CNH President for his review. Each of the Pastors is then contacted and asked if they are willing to serve as a Pastoral Counselor for the LWML CNH district. Those who are willing and able to serve are placed on the ballot at the Biennial District Convention. One is selected to be the new Junior Pastoral Counselor.

We have two Pastoral Counselors. One is the Senior Pastoral Counselor, and the newly elected Pastoral Counselor is the Junior Pastoral Counselor. Unless we have a Pastoral Counselor who is unable to complete his term, the cycle is to have the Junior serve for 2 years and then move to be Senior.

Senior Pastoral Counselor: Rev Aleks von Schmidt

Zion Lutheran Church, San Luis Obispo, CA

Pastor Aleks

I was born in 1973 into a Soviet family and grew up in a Communist society, yet from an early age I felt drawn to something beyond it. By my teenage years, reading the Bible deepened that longing and set me on a path of faith. In 1995, I was baptized in the Lutheran Church and married later that same year. Together with my wife Olga, we have four children.

My journey has been shaped by family, pastoral ministry, and theological study. After years of serving congregations in Russia and earning advanced theological training, my family moved to the United States in 2013, and I transferred my pastoral credentials to the LCMS in 2018. In my spare time, I love books, art museums, and conversations over a cup of strong black hot tea.

Junior Pastoral Counselor: Rev David Jung

Grace Lutheran Church, Visalia, CA

First and foremost, I am a child of God, born of the water of baptism and the Spirit by the merit of Jesus Christ. Secondly, I am the husband of Eunah and the father of four children: Elijah, Kara, Abigail, and Elise. Lastly, I have the privilege of being the pastor of Grace Lutheran Church and School in Visalia.

I truly enjoy pastoral ministry and am passionate about preaching and teaching the Word of God, seeing more people saved by Jesus, and helping them grow in their Christlikeness. When I have time, I enjoy traveling, going fishing, seeing the ocean, and playing music.

Pastor Jung