We’ve installed the Rev. Mike Wakeland as our new chaplain. In this role, the Rev. Wakeland will serve the spiritual needs of more than 400 residents and their families at our Kendallville, Pine Valley, and South Anthony Boulevard campuses.
A Fort Wayne native, Chaplain Wakeland is a graduate of both Concordia High School and Concordia Theological Seminary and has served as pastor of two Fort Wayne congregations, most recently as senior pastor at New Life Lutheran Church.
His wide and varied ministry experience includes 18 years as a missionary with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod World Missions in Latin America. While in Mexico, he served as the area director for Central America and Panama for three years. No stranger to Lutheran Life Villages, Chaplain Wakeland previously held a position on our board of directors.
“Chaplain Wakeland brings his experiences in ministry together with his past board experience with Lutheran Life Villages to serve in this very important role in our organization” says Alex Kiefer, interim president and CEO. “We’re excited about Mike’s vision not only to serve the residents, employees and children in our three communities, but also to continue to integrate our ministry into the rich Lutheran heritage in Fort Wayne and northeast Indiana.”
Chaplain Wakeland has been married to his wife, Cathie, for 34 years. Cathie is a teacher at Lindley Elementary School. They have two grown children.
