ELDER Nominees

2016

BIOGRAPHY

Name: Sabir Nazir Bashir

How Long a member of Prince of Peace: 5 plus years

Any other churches have been a member of (when and

where):

1. 1.5 years with Asian Church of All Nations @

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Carrollton, TX.

2. 2.5 years with Calvary Bible Church (non-

denominational ethnic church), Dallas, TX

3. 2 years with First Baptist Church, Pilot Point, TX

4. 5 years with First Baptist Church of Little Elm, TX

5. 2.5 years with Episcopal Church, Calgary, Canada.

6. 15 years with International Church of Islamabad (non-denominational), Pakistan

7. 25 years with the Church of Pakistan (same as the Church of England).

Boards and Committees that have served on:

International Church of Islamabad, Pakistan

i. Worship leader, Worship Committee

ii. Treasurer, Finance Committee

iii. Church Building Committee

iv. Honorary Officer Manager

a. Prepare Sunday service bulletin and preparation of the Holy Communion elements.

b. Handle sound and recording of the church service

c. Deposit offering in the bank into 4 different accounts setup.

d. Book keeping

e. Church regular maintenance

f. Purchases and payment of bills

g. Arrange rotation of guest preachers during the Gulf war and in absence of the pastor.

Pakistan Fellowship of Evangelical Students (Pakistani version of Intervarsity Fellowship)

a. Treasure

b. Chairman.

Member of a Small Group:

In Pakistan with Pakistan Fellowship of Evangelical Students. 4 small groups on a weekly basis.

Bible Study(s) attend:

None at POP but have been part of Bible Study groups at:

1. Calvary Bible Church, Carrollton, TX

2. First Baptist Church of Little Elm, TX

3. Forerunner International, Calvary Canada. (One a week at the place where we worked)

4. Episcopal Church, Calgary Canada.

5. Led 4 weekly Bible Study groups with students with Pakistan Fellowship of Evangelical

Students in Pakistan.

Family:

Educational Background: Graduated from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis in EIIT (Ethnic Immigrant

Institute of Theology). It is same as SMP program.

Work/Travel:

1. Detention Officer with Denton County Sherriff Office – 8.5 plus years. No travel.

Discussed with family: Yes

Contact Information – Telephone and Email

Cell Phone: 214-770-9653

Email: empowered4him@sbcglobal.net

Biography:

Rev. Sabir Nazir Bashir:

My Biography is as follows:

I have been a lifelong Christian and a first generation Lutheran in my family. My membership with

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church dates back over five plus years. I have been a member of Asian Church

of All Nations in (Carrollton, TX) and also a member of Calvary Bible Church in (Richardson, TX). My

educational background includes graduating from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO on August 22,

2014 in Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology program of study in preparation for the pastoral ministry

of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod.

During my time at Prince of Peace I have not served on any boards, councils and committees.

I have been married to Patsy Bashir for 15 years and have 6 children. 2 are Patsy’s children from her late

husband and 4 mine living in Calgary, Canada (1 went to be with the Lord).

As a worker priest I feel it will not be a distraction from my duties as a Council members or Elder

Member.

This position has been discussed with my family, and they are in full support.

My current contact information is:

Home Phone 972-294-0236 Cell Phone 214-770-9653

Email Address: empowered4him@sbcglobal.net

Kevin Cogan Biography

I was raised in a two-parent Christian home. My parents were Catholic, and I was raised in that

denomination. While at Texas A&M, I began dating Diane, and in 1980 we joined Our Savior Lutheran

Church in College Station. The pastor of that church officiated at our wedding in 1982.

We moved to Carrollton, TX in June, 1983 and were referred to Prince of Peace by our realtor. We

began attending and joined the church that same year (1983).

I completed a BS (1981) and MS (1982) in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M and an MBA (1988)

from the University of Dallas. I have been employed by Frito-Lay/PepsiCo since 1983. My current travel

schedule is light, typically 6 or fewer trips a year with each trip being one to two days in length.

I currently participate in a number of ministry areas. These include KidZone, Brookhaven Nursing

Home, drama, apartment ministry and communion service. I served on three call committees in the past,

all three for the position of Music and Worship Minister. I also served on the Relocation Committee

when the church moved from Frankford Road to our current location. I regularly attend Pastor Micah’s

Tuesday Morning Bible Study with my younger son, Timothy. Diane and I have led small groups in the

past, but are not currently members of a small group.

I have been married to Diane for 34 years and we have 4 grown children. Three of them are married and

live in the local area. We have two granddaughters.

I have discussed this position with Diane, and she is in full support.

My current contact information is:

Home Phone 972.294.8637 Cell Phone 214.454.7476 Work Phone 972.334.4251

Email Address: kevin@coganweb.net

BRADLEY DIEKHOFF BIOGRAPHY

How Long a member of Prince of Peace: 3 years

Any other churches have been a member of (when and

where): Hosanna Lutheran in Mankato previous 8 years.

Boards and Committees that have served on: None

Member of a Small Group: Sunday Children’s Ministry

Bible Study(s) attend: Until recent job schedule change, was

unable to attend any.

Family: My son Noah,

Educational Background: Bachelors of Science, University of

New York in cooperation with the United States Naval

Nuclear Power Program

Work/Travel: Manager with Fedex Ground for last 11 years

Discussed with family: Absolutely

Contact Information – brad.diekhoff@fedex.com

PH# 469-766-2463

Biography is as follows:

I am the son of Loving 4th generation Lutheran Minister and amazing Christian wife. I grew up in

the faith, was called to serve ended up walking away as a young man due to the frustration of seeing

how so-called Christians treated each other when they walked out the church door. I chose the next

best thing to being a minister and joined the US Navy, where I served on three different submarines

for 8 years operating and maintaining the nuclear reactor and steam plant propulsion system. I

could give you many more details about my life, but the truth is the journey to come back in

relationship with Christ is what is important.

I continued to struggle for the next 8 – 10 years making sure that God knew that I was in charge

and that I was going to live my own life. Along comes my son, and through a very loving father and

pushy mother (whom I love for being so), I started to realize that this wandering road that I had

chosen, literally just kept leading me back. My father helped me realize that I as a father had a

spiritual responsibility as the head of my household to make sure that my son was raised up not just

in the church, but to help him come into relationship with Christ.

So began the journey of my slow and painful walk back into relationship. I found and started

taking my son to this church called Hosanna in Mankato, MN (If you are ever up that way, I can

only say wow, how spirit filled that place is) and made sure to fulfill my responsibility, grudgingly

you understand. I found myself sitting through the sermons of this Pastor, who was continually

talking to me (I felt) pointing out every which way that I had gone wrong, but at the same time

making sure that I knew it was OK, because we all fall short. This thing called grace, which I knew

all about, but didn’t think could apply to me anymore after all that I had done, was re-explained.

Through this little leprechaun of a Pastor (whom my father absolutely approved of), Christ slowly

worked on my heart, pulling out the roots of bitterness that had grown there over so many years. I

came to realize that taking my son to church, was only the first step in my journey. Christ wanted

to have a relationship with me then, now, and forevermore and He would not stop. This revelation

was and is still overwhelming and humbles me beyond words.

Enter in again my pushy mother, continually asking when I would do more as a Christian, because

God had given gifts that He intended to use. I, hoping to just put her off, asked, isn’t it enough that

I am going to church and got back into relationship with Christ. Once again, the unrelenting

Christian she is, I was told that God had a plan and I needed to do more. Trying to just leave the

room alive, I told her I didn’t really know anyone at my church except to say Good Morning to, but

if they had a need and asked, that I would be happy to serve….. Next day, Hosanna’s Head of

Children’s Ministry called and said she had heard that I was good with children and would I be

willing to help in their Sunday school program. My mother, sitting there hearing the conversation,

did not miss an opportunity to remind me of what I had said. 9 years later, I can’t imagine not

being involved in Children’s ministry. To this day, both women swear that they never ever spoke to

one another until many years later when this story came out. He does work in mysterious ways.

In that time, I have learned it isn’t about anything that I do. It’s about how Christ works in, on,

and through me that matters. He has brought me back to serve in whatever capacity he sees fit,

and I can say never, no, or I’m not going to, but find myself following wherever He leads.

This brings us to the point of this whole story. While I don’t know why anyone would think that I

would be a suitable choice for an Elder, He has seen fit to continue to push me in this direction. I

have told Christ that I’m too busy, I’m not qualified, You don’t really want me and yet, He is really

good knocking a K.O. to your NO and putting you ON O.K. My stubbornness won over once again

by his love. So, yes mother, where He leads, I will follow humbly, knowing that it’s not about me,

but what He will do through me.

Whether I am chosen to serve or not is fine. I think the important thing here is that I come to this

with a willing and humble heart and if so chosen, serve in whatever capacity, with Christ in front,

beside, behind, and all around me, making sure that it is his will not mine.

Mr. Kevin R. Mensing

I was baptized into the faith as an infant and have been

a member of LCMS congregations my whole life. I have

served actively in a variety of ministries of every

congregation where I have been a member. Twice I

have served in leadership roles on the Church Council; I

served two years as treasurer at Crown of Life Lutheran

– San Antonio, TX and I served as treasurer for three

years at Grace Lutheran – Sandy, UT. I have been

attending Prince of Peace Lutheran Church since

August 2004 when my family relocated here from Utah.

I have served on the Let Go, Lift Off and Consecration

Sunday committees. I have been an adult leader at least

ten times for Vacation Bible School and twice for the

National Youth Gathering.

I have been married to Myra Franke for the past 20

years. We have two children, Eli age 18, who attends Rice University in Houston and Grace age 14,

who attends Prince of Peace Christian School. Myra and my children support my nomination for

the Board of Elders.

My educational background includes a BS in Mathematics from the University of Texas, Austin in

1988 and MS in Statistics from the University of Utah, Salt Lake City in 1999.

I have been in the Air Force Reserve for the past 30 years. My current role is with an

active duty headquarters so I typically have weekends free. Furthermore, I have

significant flexibility in scheduling my time in the office and can avoid any conflicts with

monthly Board of Elders meetings.

My contact information is:

Kevin R. Mensing

Home: 972.248.7976

Cell: 972.322.0303

Email: krmensing@msn.com

Name: John F. Seale

How Long a member of Prince of Peace: 31 years (life)

Any other churches have been a member of (when and where): none

Boards and Committees that have served on: POPLC Senior Pastor Call Committee (current), Caris International Ministries Board of Directors, Refuge of Hope Peru Board of Directors

Member of a Small Group: Yes, though only half the members attend POPLC

Bible Study(s) attend: Last year led the High School Bible Study on Sunday mornings, not currently attending a separate Bible Study other than the small group

Family: Katie Seale, wife of 5 years; Daniel Seale, son born this July; both parents Kim and Laura are members of POPLC. Connie Seale, sister, lives in Kosovo as a career missionary.

Educational Background: Bachelors of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin, Master of Arts in Global Leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary

Work/Travel: Currently Director of Operations at LINC North Texas, a regional church planting and community development organization. No regular travel.

Discussed with family: Yes, my wife supports my candidacy and we have discussed avoiding conflicts of interest with her employment at POPLC.

Contact Information – Telephone and Email Cell phone: 214-766-8913 E-mail: j.f.seale@gmail.com

My Biography is as follows: I have been a lifelong member of Prince of Peace, discipled through the youth ministry here. Growing up I was heavily involved in international mission ministry, having participated in 9 international trips through Prince of Peace plus 5 more separate from POP. I continued my discipleship with the Navigators at UT-Austin, doing an internship at POP with the high school youth ministry in 2006. Upon graduation I returned to POP to work in high school ministry, young adult ministry, and mission ministry. After a short time serving the congregation, I accepted a job at LINC North Texas, where I have worked for almost 8 years now while working on a Master’s degree part-time online.

I am passionate about God’s Kingdom and serving the Lord in whatever way he will use me. After helping to found the Ndoto nonprofit to continue POP’s work in Kenya, I have been involved in several other international ministries including Refuge of Hope to continue POP’s work in Peru. At POP I am a regular volunteer with the high school ministry and the worship/hospitality ministry. God has blessed the ministries at POP and given the church enormous opportunities and resources. It would be a blessing and privilege to serve the Lord and the congregation as an Elder, applying both my academic and practical experiences to help the church achieve its full potential.