Craig D. Stirtz, CFRE

President, Lutheran Planned Giving Services

As President, Craig provides charitable gift planning services to individuals, couples and families wishing to support Nebraska Synod congregations and its agencies and institutions as well as any Synodical or Churchwide ministry.  Craig also provides charitable gift planning presentations to Nebraska Synod congregations and consultation services to congregations wishing to form or improve an endowment fund.

With 19 years of development experience, Craig has helped to build support for the church’s ministry and is anxious to meet with you to help you accomplish your goals for your family and for the ministries you love.

Craig notes: “The best part of this position is the chance to work with wonderful people – people with a heart for ministry!  Contact me if you would like to review your plan or if you are in the process of planning.  I would be honored to be invited to help you accomplish your goals.”   

Julie Thorsen

Gift Planner
Julie brings successful development and nonprofit management experience to Planned Giving Services. With a background in relationship building, her expertise includes: strategic planning, special project coordination, estate planning & communications.

Professional and enthusiastic, Julie has Certificate in Fund-Raising Management from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and 15 years executive experience in non profit management and development. Her focus is to help others with their charitable goals.

Bud Wellsandt 

As Contact Manager, Bud schedules visits, seminars, and assists with gifts and relationship building, as well as other database & office functions. He was the Director of Lay Ministry at St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church prior to joining LPGS and was a Network Engineer for 30 years in his previous career.

Bud loves working with people and helping them fulfill their dreams of sustaining Jesus’ ministries for this generation and those to come. From mites to millions, every gift helps and is blessed by God for His purpose.

“I am amazed to see how these gifts bless those giving them as much as those receiving them and can really leave a legacy of sustained blessing.” says Bud.