Lutherhostel Week 1

Mark Allan Powell Biography Mark is a Professor of New Testament at Trinity Lutheran Seminary and an internationally known biblical scholar. He is editor of the HarperCollins Bible Dictionary and author of more than 30 books on the Bible and religion, including the widely used textbook, Introducing the New Testament (Baker Academic). He has also written in the areas of spiritual formation (Loving Jesus), stewardship (Giving To God), and homiletics (What Do They Hear?- Bridging the Gap between Pulpit and Pew). Powell’s DVD’s: How Lutherans Understand the Bible have received widespread use throughout the ELCA and were excerpted for inclusion in the Lutheran Study Bible (Augsburg Fortress). An ecumenical, global scholar, Powell has for served for many years as the only Protestant on the Executive Committee of the Catholic Biblical Association, and he has taught at seminaries in Estonia, Russia, and Tanzania.

Tom Witt has been a keyboardist, worship leader, songleader and worship planner for over 20 years. He is well known for his spirited and rhythmic skills at the piano. He has developed a deep interest in eclectic congregational song that builds up the body of Christ for the work of mercy, peace, justice, and inclusion in the world – from Gospel to Taizé and Iona, and from 4-part African song to traditional European hymnody. In his work with Bread for the Journey ensemble, he has spent a good amount of time helping dominant-culture worshippers learn and appreciate singing songs of faith gathered from the Body of Christ around the world, including diverse communities in North America. Along with Mary Preus, Susan Briehl, Marty Haugen and Ben Stewart, he has been part of the Living Liturgy teaching team, which from 1999-2012 provided workshops and retreats on worship renewal. He co-founded Bread for the Journey, and served as worship planner and global consultant for the ELCA’s Global Mission Unit from 1989 to 2007. In 1998-99 Tom served as musician-in-residence at the ecumenical retreat center Holden Village. Abroad, he has been musician at events in Ethiopia and Palestine, and in southern Africa. Together Mary and Tom continue to lead workshops and training sessions across the country for musicians, clergy, and other worship planners. Mary Preus is first, a song leader and second, a singer, teacher, worship leader and choir director. A colleague once said of Mary, “She could teach a stone to sing.” Mary has been working in neighborhood businesses, community arts endeavors, and progressive Christian peace and justice communities for twenty-five years. Mary can sing in several different languages and has led singing around the world. In addition to her work as artistic director of Minnesota Community SINGS, Mary has worked as the music director and song leader at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Minneapolis since 1991. She is also the worship and music coordina