Bishop Kevin T. Jones
The Rev. Kevin T. Jones was elected to a six-year term as Bishop of the Northeastern Iowa Synod at the 2021 Synod Assembly. He previously served as pastor to Youth, Families and Education for Trinity Lutheran in Mason City, Iowa, from 2014 to 2021. Prior to that, he served as pastor to Lutheran Church of the Resurrection at Marion, Iowa, from 2001 to 2014, and as pastor to Blair Lutheran Churches at Blair Wis., from 1993 to 2001.
Bishop Jones earned a bachelor’s degree in English at Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, Mich., in 1986 and a Master of Divinity degree from Lutheran Northwestern Seminary in St. Paul in 1993. His internship was served among the people of Good Shepherd Lutheran in Novato, Calif.
Bishop Jones currently serves on the Board of Directors for Lutheran Services in Iowa and on the Wartburg College Board of Regents. He also serves on the ELCA Task Force on Human Sexuality Social Statement Reconsiderations and on the Conference of Bishops New Bishop Formation Committee. Bishop Jones is married to Amy, who is a nutrition and wellness specialist for the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. They have two adult children and one grandchild.
Synod Staff
The Rev. Steve Brackett
Assistant to the Bishop
for Rostered Leadership
Pastor Steve Brackett joined the synod staff in 2015 and serves as assistant to the Bishop for Rostered Leadership. His primary responsibilities include call process, candidacy, and leadership support for compensation, sabbaticals, Safe Ministry, Colleague Group, Men’s Ministry, and other areas assigned by the Bishop.
The Rev. Jen Thomas
Assistant to the Bishop
for Shared Ministry
& Development
Pastor Jen Thomas joined the synod staff in July 2025 as assistant to the Bishop for Shared Ministry and Development. Her primary responsibilities include mission support, development, stewardship resources and grants, educational events for rostered ministers, and assisting with call process on occasion.
The Rev. Kristen
Corr Rod
ELCA Director for Evangelical Mission
Pastor Kristen Corr Rod joined the synod staff in May 2022 as Director for Evangelical Mission. Her primary responsibilities include congregational vitality, new ministry development, synod justice issues, youth and young adult ministries, synod authorized ministers, Lay Ministry Training program, and other areas assigned by the Bishop.
Jan Glaspie
Executive Assistant for Synod Administration
Jan Glaspie oversees administration of the synod office, synod budget, Synod Assembly planning, and governance documents; serves as a congregational resource for administrators and treasurers; and assists in other areas assigned by the Bishop.
Alison Pettit
Administrative Assistant
Alison Pettit provides clerical support and assistance related to the roster, call process, candidacy and committees connected to the Synod Council.
Kathy Liddle
Receptionist-Secretary
Kathy Liddle welcomes and greets people who come into or call the synod office. She provides secretarial support for synod ministries related to Mission Support Development, Youth Ministry, Men’s Ministry, Companion Synods, Disaster Response and Synod Assembly.
Mallory Jensen
Communication Coordinator
Mallory Jensen coordinates communications including social media, publications, and the synod website. She is a graduate of Wartburg College with a bachelor’s degree in public relations.
Michelle Van Riper
Synod Bookkeeper
Michelle Van Riper keeps track of mission support and other designated gifts from congregations. She also maintains payroll and expense accounts and the synod budget. Michelle has a Master of Science Degree in accounting from Kaplan University.
2025-2026 Synod Council
The Northeastern Iowa Synod Council is the board of directors of this synod and serves as the legislative authority between meetings of the Synod Assembly. The Council may make decisions which are not in conflict with actions taken by the Synod Assembly or which are not precluded by provisions of the constitution or the constitution and bylaws of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
