Beyond Confirmation: Strengthening Faith Through Home, Church, and School
Learning Outcomes: I can support young Christians in my congregation through intentional conversations and programming.
How can we help our kids develop a faith that lasts well beyond Confirmation? What roles do the home, church, and school each play in leading kids toward a deeper, more resilient relationship with Jesus? Join Brandon Steenbock and Ben Reichel as they explore the critical role of faith conversations at home and share practical strategies for churches of any size to partner with families and schools in keeping kids connected to Jesus. This interactive session will feature insightful presentations, collaborative discussions, and plenty of time for Q&A.
Pastor Ben Reichel graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in 2014 with a Master of Divinity degree. For the first three years of his ministry, he planted a new church in Fulshear, Texas, which is outside of Katy, a suburb on the west side of Houston. Then Reichel taught religion and Latin while coaching football at Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School for 7 years before joining the St. Mark Ministries staff in June of 2024. At St. Mark, Reichel serves as the school pastor, youth and young adult pastor, oversees the Family Catechism program, and preaches on occasion.
Ben enjoys spending time with his beautiful wife, Lynnette, and his son Judah (7) and daughter Carolyn (4- CeCe for short). He loves sports, especially football, and has been coaching varsity high school football for over 8 years now. Being a full-time husband, father, pastor, and coach leaves very little “down” time, but Ben enjoys being outside, playing sports, lifting weights, and finding projects that need completing around the house.
Dr. Brandon Steenbock serves at St. Mark Ministries (De Pere / Green Bay, WI) as the Family Minister, where he has served since 2017. Prior to this, he served 11 years at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in New Ulm, MN as Family and Youth Minister. He graduated from the Staff Ministry program at Martin Luther College in 2006. In 2013 he earned a Master’s in Family Education from Concordia, St. Paul, MN. In 2021 he was the first graduate of the Master of Arts in Theological Studies at Martin Luther College. In 2024, Steenbock earned his Doctor of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in the area of Pastoral Theology in Practice, with a thesis-project about training marriage mentor couples through group trainings. Brandon and his wife Nikki have two boys, Athan (18) and Paladin (16). Outside of theology study and family ministry, Brandon’s passions are storytelling, craft coffee, and board games.