Bill Cullen

Bill Cullen, Director of the DCE program at Concordia University, River Forest, was selected to receive Lutheran Education Association’s 2006 Master DCE award.

Bill earned his Ph.D. from Christian Bible College and Seminary in 1994 and preceded that with an M.Ed. from the University of Portland, a B.A. from Concordia, Fort Wayne, and an A.A. from Concordia, Portland. He has served congregations in Aloha, Hillsboro, and Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington.

Dr. Cullen is active in a wide range of professional activities, leading workshops, participating in a variety of leadership and servant events, and writing articles and Bible studies for CPH, LEA, and Lutheran Education journal.

Among many positive comments cited from those who nominated Bill, was this: "Bill not only teaches but ministers to his students both in and out of the classroom as he models true servant leadership in all that he does." One colleague says, "When talking about modeling one’s life after the servant leader style of Jesus, I have heard people describe Bill Cullen as ‘the real deal.’ He is kind and gracious and yet stands very firm in his faith and the convictions that go with it."

In his personal mission statement, Bill includes "to daily die to self, that Jesus might manifest Himself in and through me, to maintain a servant lifestyle where the needs and wellbeing of others come before my own, to be used … by the Holy Spirit to draw people into and educate people for a living and saving relationship with Jesus …, and to grow each day in my relationship with Jesus … and in my service to people."

Bill Cullen was selected to receive this award by LEA’s Directors of Christian Education Network Leadership and LEA staff.

David Rahberg

David Rahberg, DCE for Adult Ministry at Messiah Lutheran Church in Plano, Texas, was selected to receive Lutheran Education Association’s 2006 Master DCE award.

David earned an M.S. in education from the University of North Texas, Denton, preceded by a B.S. in education from Concordia University, Seward, Nebraska. He served congregations in Grand Island, Nebraska and Manhattan, Kansas prior to accepting a call to Messiah in 1991. In addition, David has earned Can-Do Service Recognition, served as president of LEA-TEAM, and served with KINDLE—Karpenko Institute for Nurturing and Developing Leadership Excellence.

DCE Rahberg has served within church organizations as well as in the community, where he has experience with Boy Scouts of America, Habitat for Humanity, marriage enrichment, and tsunami relief. David has also served in LCMS Youth Gathering leadership and as a curriculum writer for Concordia Publishing House.

Among many positive comments cited from those who nominated David was this: "David is a creative thinker, a master motivator, a very hard worker, a sound theologian, a generous spirit, and a first-rate teammate." David’s pastor describes him as having "built up our small group ministry" and increasing "our ministry of outreach in our community." He continues, "David works very well with starting teams and helping them to accomplish specific activities in and through our church."

David states that one of his greatest joys in ministry is "discovering maturing disciples whom I have coached, now drawing others into the life-changing love of Jesus Christ."

David Rahberg was selected to receive this award by LEA’s Directors of Christian Education Network Leadership and LEA staff.