Alum Rev. Brady Finnern gives thanks for time at Concordia Nebraska, looks forward to serving at LCMS Youth Gathering

Seward, NE (07/17/2025) — Rev. Brady Finnern ALND '99 has always had family connections to Concordia University, Nebraska. He visited the university prior to his senior year in high school during a family trip to Kansas. He was drawn to the small town, the kind people and the university's Christ-centered focus. Although circumstances led him to leave the university after one year to earn an exercise science and coaching degree from Gustavus Adolphus College, he said Concordia Nebraska he has a great fondness for Concordia Nebraska. One of his daughters attends the university currently and the other plans to attend in fall 2025.

Finnern also has a master of divinity from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. He will serve as one of the hosts for the nightly Mass events at this year's 2025 The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Youth Gathering, which will take place in New Orleans July 19-23, 2025.

"I am honored to be one of the hosts for the nightly Mass events with Ms. Shelly Schwalm and Mr. Tanner Olson," he explained. "This will be the fifth youth gathering I have attended, but the first time being involved in the planning teams. A major portion of our time will be introducing the theme "Endure" from Hebrews 12 and applying the truth of Christ's joyful enduring of the cross for sinners like us. Each night we will have amazing speakers, music and the joy of being with more than 20,000 other Christians from around the world. I am probably the most excited to assist with the Divine Service on the last day where thousands of people will hear the Word and receive the body and blood of Christ."

Finnern said he still keeps in touch with many of the friends he made during his time in Seward.

"Although I only attended Concordia Nebraska for a year, I met a lot of people who were pursuing church work," he explained. "I was humbled by their understanding of God's Word and willingness to serve the Lord. By their witness, I desired to grow in the Word and serve Him as well. I thank God for those connections and still keep in touch with many of them."

He said many of his professors had a profound impact on him during his time on campus, as well.

"Each professor was a witness of how to fulfill one's vocations as a Christian: teaching, family and serving others. To be a professor at Concordia Nebraska was not just a job, it was a lifestyle," he said. "They went above and beyond for us because their Lord had served them first. Their witness still motivates me to prayerfully consider how I can go above and beyond as a husband, father, son, pastor and track coach."

Following his graduation from seminary, Finnern served parishes in Wisconsin and Minnesota. In 2022, he was elected District President of the Minnesota North District.

"My main task is to visit, oversee and encourage the 196 congregations, 26 schools and over 200 called workers throughout the northern part of Minnesota. Since I am still relatively new to the job, I am learning how to best serve God's people," he said. "The challenges are great: shrinking numbers in worship, pastoral shortages, financial struggles and an overall malaise in society toward the Word. Yet, the blessings abound as I see how the Lord continues to sustain the Church in His promise of forgiveness, life and salvation in Christ alone."

Finnern said most of his time is spent visiting the churches, schools and church workers for the sake of the Gospel. Visits are done mostly for encouragement through Word and prayer but may also involve addressing conflicts and struggles in the Church."

"We live in a broken world. Pray for your congregation, pastors and district president as they walk together in the strength of the Lord," he said. "[One of the best parts of my job is] visiting the faithful members of congregations and learning their stories of faith. I meet people who have been at their church for 84, 90 and even 100 years. They love their church because they love the Lord, the Word and the other members. I am humbled by their steadfast faith in Christ and how much I need to step it up in all my vocations."

Finnern and his wife of 21 years, Amy, have four children: Kajsa (19 and freshman at Concordia Nebraska), Averil (18 and attending Concordia Nebraska in fall 2025), Elias (16) and Xavia (14).

Amy is an elementary special education teacher. When Finnern isn't serving his district, you'll find him coaching high school track (shotput and discus), hosting a podcast to study the Book of Concord (Concord Matters on KFUO Radio) or cheering for Minnesota sports teams.

Finnern reiterated that everything at Concordia Nebraska is focused on God's Word and that this focus had a profound impact on him.

"Everything at Concordia Nebraska is saturated with the Word, prayer and fellowship with other Christians. To serve in His Church requires everything to be grounded in the living and active Word of God," he said. "Much of what I learned was by watching and listening to others live out their faith. I was shocked when I would meet 18-year-old classmates who wanted to serve as a pastor, teacher, DCE or in other ways. I had always figured it was an older person's job. I closely listened to their stories, saw their work and was excited to do the same."

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