Jonathan Schroeder
District President
President Jonathan E. Schroeder has spent his entire ministry in the South Atlantic District. He has served as pastor of Faith, Sharpsburg, Georgia, since its founding. He has served the synod in numerous national roles such as 12 years on the Synodical Council as the pastor-at-large, chairman of the Ministry Committee and member of the Executive Committee. He served on the Executive Committee of the hymnal project and served as the Chairman for the Board for World Missions. In the South Atlantic District he served as Second Vice President and First Vice President before his election as District President. During his years in the District he has also trained 23 vicars.
Duane Rodewald
First Vice-President
Duane Rodewald has been serving as pastor of Abiding Peace Lutheran Church in Simpsonville, SC, since 2004. Prior to that, he was Dean of Students at Michigan Lutheran Seminary (1996-2004), pastor of St. Paul in Tomah, WI (1991-1996), and was a tutor at Michigan Lutheran Seminary (1989-1991). He has served on the Governing Board of Martin Luther College and, since 2016, has been the chairman of the WELS Board for Ministerial Education. His wife, Karen, is a teacher, and the two of them enjoy traveling, watching movies and sports, and spending time with family.
ben kratz
second vice-president
Pastor Kratz has served Our Savior Lutheran Church in Birmingham, AL, since 2003. Elected district second vice president in 2026, he previously served as the district’s Discipleship Coordinator, Worship Coordinator, and chairman of its annual October called worker conferences. His wider ministry includes serving on the WELS Commission on Worship, coordinating writers for WELS Family Devotions and Transformed Teen Devotions, and advising the WELS Women’s Ministry executive committee. He also serves his community as a volunteer chaplain with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. He and his wife, Emily, have seven children and two grandsons. Together, they enjoy traveling, camping, hiking, exploring national parks, and tackling DIY projects.
DANE MATTES
district Secretary
Mr. Dane Mattes has been serving as principal at Northdale Lutheran Church and Christian Academy in Tampa, FL, since 2018. He has previously served as principal and teacher in Longmont, Colorado (2005-2011) and Brillion, Wisconsin (2011-2018). Mr. Mattes also serves the synod on our district board of appeals, as a school accreditation consultant, and as a team captain for accreditation site visits. Mr. Mattes received his bachelor's (2005) and master's (2018) degrees from Martin Luther College. Mr. Mattes enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and visiting national parks.