LTSS

The Alumni Association of Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary gives thanks to God for our brother in Christ, the Rev. Gary A. Weant, Class of 1976, and honors him with the John Benjamin Bedenbaugh Award for Distinguished Pastoral Leadership in recognition of his ministry as a pastoral shepherd who has encouraged bold congregational witness to the Great commission, and has offered exemplary service to the church at large.

 In recognition of this award, Pastor Weant was presented with the Bedenbaugh honorary stole, given each to year the award's recipient, and a certificate commemorating the award.  In attendance were Dr. Bedenbaugh's surviving siblings and alumni spanning over 60 years of service as public ministers as well as the current and three former seminary presidents.    Pastor Weant is a member of the class of 1976.  Since ordination, Pastor Weant has continuously served as Senior Pastor of  Philadelphia Lutheran Church in Philadelphia, NC., a small but thriving congregation that focuses on excellent worship and outreach.  A superb pastoral leader, he has excelled at helping others struggling with difficult and sometimes divisive issues.  A church-wide resource, Gary penned the first draft of the resolution calling for the study of scripture in discerning the church's position on sexuality.