Keynote Speakers

Gemechis Buba

The Reverend Doctor Gemechis Desta Buba currently serves as Assistant to the Bishop for Mission for the North American Lutheran Church.  He is originally from Ethiopia and now lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with his wife and three children. 

Dr. Buba received a Bachelor of Theology with high distinction from Mekane Yesus Theological Seminary, where he served as a professor for two years.  After working on a Masters of Theology in Church History in the Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology, he moved to the United States for further studies.  In 2003 he received his Masters of Divinity and Masters of Arts in Christian Education from the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, GA.  In May, 2006, Dr. Buba earned a Doctorate Degree from Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, GA, specializing in missional leadership. 

Dr. Buba was ordained in 2001. He has served as a seminary professor, mission developer, senior pastor, vice president of the Southeastern Black Lutheran Pastors’ Conference, assistant to the bishop of Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod (ELCA), director of African National Ministries (ELCA), and president of the worldwide Union of Oromo Evangelical Churches. He was pastor of St. Stephen Evangelical Lutheran Church and the African/Oromo Lutheran Church in Atlanta, GA.

In addition to academic study and ordained ministry, Dr. Buba participates in multiple international ministries through speaking, leading revivals, leadership development conventions, and evangelical mission events.
 

Jenn Alexander

Deeply engaging, beautifully soulful, and fiercely honest, Jenn Alexander's years as a speaker, worship leader, pastor, and wife of megachurch lead pastor, grant her a unique and pointed voice in the current LCMC conversation. With piercing clarity, Jenn Alexander brings prophetic insight, and humble perspective to biblical passages, and changing times. Jenn lives in St. Paul, MN and serves alongside her husband Ryan- on the preaching team, and senior leadership team of Hosanna Church- a multi-campus church in the Twin Cities south metro. Jenn has her masters in the missional church, from Fuller Theological Seminary, and has served in Lutheran congregations for over 20 years.

Bible Study

Paul Owens

Paul Owens is senior pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in New Braunfels, TX. Ordained in 1989, he has also served congregations in Michigan and Cameroon. He has been married to Sandi since 1987 and they have three adult children. He is currently a student in the DMin program offered by Sioux Falls Seminary and St. Paul Lutheran Seminary. He enjoys fly-fishing, especially for trout.