Gospel Teachings a Life-Altering Experience

For Thomas Johnson '16, coming to Concordia as a 7th grader and hearing the Gospel significantly impacted his life. He shares, "I believe that Lutheran Education saved my life in a very literal sense. There were times before Concordia that I didn't know if I would see tomorrow. After transferring to Concordia, everything changed. I loved coming to school, and I loved my teachers and friends." He believes the active and intentional preaching and teaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the most important thing a student can receive. For him, Concordia proclaimed that message loud and clear.

God moving his heart was a feeling Thomas experienced several times while at Concordia. During a discussion about angels in Mrs. Reynolds' Theology class Thomas initially thought the idea of angels being present was a ridiculous one. However, several students shared their own experiences, and Thomas' thoughts changed. "Mrs. Reynolds had a fearless faith that encouraged us to look beyond ourselves and toward God's promises." He again felt God in his heart after a school chapel when he and his friends felt moved to stay after and pray together. The Senior class trip to Sparks, NE, gave him time to worship with his classmates. The experience was so moving that it left an impression that he will never forget.

Thomas has taken those experiences, along with his music classes at Concordia, and become a music teacher in a Lutheran school. His time in band, choir, jazz band, handbells, Harmonix, and the spring musical gave him a great head start in college. "Without these programs, there is no way I would have even participated in music, let alone majored in it," said Thomas. He attended Concordia Chicago for two years, then spent three years at Concordia University, Nebraska, getting his Bachelor of Music Education with his Lutheran Teachers Diploma. Thomas recognizes several of his high school teachers as role models that have helped him be a successful teacher today. "Peter Klemp showed me what an effective band program looks like. Former faculty Lori Plummer, who coached the One Act program, was intense but served as a great boot camp for acting and stage awareness," he said.

Thomas lives in Winona, Minnesota, and is on staff at Hope Lutheran School, where he teaches choir, band, and Theology. He is also developing a new position at his school, "Dean of Spiritual Life." Thomas is on the Youth Board at his church, sings in the choir, and was a member of the Winona Municipal Band this last summer. If that isn't enough to keep him busy, he and his wife, Julia, just had a beautiful baby girl in October, Isla Marie! Julia works from home doing online marketing for Lutheran Island Camp in North Central Minnesota. Thomas enjoys wood turning in his free time, but recently has spent most of his time renovationg their home.

Music

+

Friendly Competition =

FUN!

Grab some friends and come out on February 3rd for music and fun to support the Concordia Booster Club!

The Boosters help pay for items such as team uniforms, helmets, practice equipment, programs at games and more!

Ticket Info

sSave the Date

March 1, 2024

Concordia

Kingdom Leaders Gala

Alumni tickets $60 each



Tickets & Alumni Tables are available at

www.concordiaomaha.org/gala

We are blessed to have Nick Tofteland serve as the new Director of Advancement. Nick and his wife, Jen, are Minnesota natives and have two boys, Cole and Zeke. Praise the Lord that they boldly answered the call to move to Omaha.

Nick values the incredible impact of connecting faith, community, and education. He has spearheaded fundraising efforts and worked to enhance institutions' reach in the past. We are excited to have his passion and wisdom on our staff.

Jen is a former Daycare Director who is dedicated to fostering welcoming and nurturing atmospheres. She is currently assisting Mrs. Faith Doerr in the Academy 1st grade classroom.

A passion for sharing God's word led Mrs. Kendra Camio to major in Spanish. After college, she served overseas as a missionary, returned to work as an interpreter in the medical field, and taught introductory Spanish courses at UNL. More recently she made the choice to stay at home with her children.

Mrs. Camio is teaching two sections of Spanish 1. Her oldest son, Sebastian, is a sophomore at Concordia