2026 Men's Retreat

 Rev. Peter Bender

Topic: "The Image of God, Marriage, and Family"

Rev. Peter C. Bender serves at Peace Lutheran Church and Academy in Sussex, Wisconsin. He is the founder of the Concordia Catechetical Academy, a Recognized Service Organization of the LCMS, dedicated to the promotion of faithful Lutheran catechesis. Pastor Bender is a frequent speaker at pastoral and lay conferences in our synod and overseas, a regular guest on Issues Etc., and serves on the LCMS Board for National Mission. Peter and wife, Beth, have been blessed with four married sons, and nine grandchildren. He is an avid Cubs fan.

Rev. Dr. Thomas Pietsch

Topic: "Recovering Christian Brotherhood in a Lonely Age"

Rev. Dr. Thomas Pietsch has served as a parish pastor and as a seminary lecturer in Adelaide, Australia. He currently teaches in the theology department at Concordia University Wisconsin and has an interest in patristics, contemporary theology, novels and film. Dr. Pietsch and wife Chelsea have three children.

Rev. Ralph Tausz

Topic: "Becoming the Husband Your Family Needs" (Breakout)

Rev. Ralph Tausz is the pastor of The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Apostles in Melrose Park, Illinois and Hope Lutheran Church in Hillside, Illinois. A Milwaukee native, he attended Martin Luther High School in Greendale, Wisconsin. He and his wife Amy have been blessed with five children, and one daughter-in-law.

Rev. Jack Gilbert

Topic: "Fraternal Conversation on Dating" (Breakout)

Rev. Jack Gilbert serves at St. John’s Lutheran Church & School in Racine, Wisconsin. He graduated from Concordia Seminary St. Louis (2009). Pastor Gilbert helps plan and hosts the Bugenhagen Conference, a gathering created to help pastors hone their craft and excel in all facets of the ministry. Pastor Gilbert and wife, Jenny, have been blessed with four daughters. He enjoys spending time with family, reading, watching movies, cheering on the Cubs and Bears, and playing cards.

Rev. Brian Rohde

Topic: "Act Like Men"

Rev. Brian Rohde serves at Trinity Lutheran Church in Wautoma, Wisconsin. He is a second career pastor, having first worked in carpentry and custom cabinet making for 20 years. He attended Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota, followed by Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne (2004). Pastor Rohde has been married to his bride, Diann, of 42 years, and has been richly blessed with seven sons, a daughter, one son-in-law, five daughters-in-law, and 12 grandchildren. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with family, hunting, fishing, and woodworking.

Rev. Michael Larson

Topic: "Overcoming Laziness: Rising Against the Sin of Sloth"

Rev. Michael Larson serves at Luther Memorial Chapel in Shorewood, Wisconsin, and provides spiritual care for Milwaukee-area university students, and local internationals. He graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne (2011), first serving at St. Paul’s in Wittenberg, Wisconsin. Pastor Larson serves as chaplain (Capt.) in the Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, teaching USAF core values and moral leadership. Michael and wife, Kristina, have been blessed with six children, and four foster children (two being reunited with family). He enjoys running, bowhunting, and vinyl record collecting.