Concordia Alum Named LCMS District President

Rev. James Rockey To Serve Florida-Georgia District

As LCMS congregations in Florida and Georgia look to their new district president for leadership over the next three years, they may not know just how Texas played a part.

The Rev. James Rockey is a 1985 graduate of Concordia University Texas. Majoring in both communications and pre-seminary, Rockey then served as an active layman in church work and other professional positions in Austin before attending seminary.

“At Concordia Texas, I learned from great professors how to live a life of calling to serve the Lord., “ he explains. Rockey describes his collegiate years as enhancing his relationships in three ways: with the Lord, with classmates through their daily faith practice, and with faculty who influenced his future path.

It was a childhood pastor in Florida who set the young man’s sights on the 425-student campus in Austin, more than 18 hours from home. Rockey still maintains a connection to 89-year-old Rev. Bob Besalski.

Besalski himself graduated from Concordia High School before the Texas university campus was formed. He believed in the school and encouraged both Rockey and his two brothers to consider it seriously.

Having served the Florida-Georgia LCMS District as its second vice president for four years, Rockey looks forward to his primary role as its new president. He also brings 24 years of pastoring experience that involved a lot of congregational and program building to prepare him.

“I see my role as president as one of supporting, equipping, and partnering with church leaders and congregations the work of building the Lord’s kingdom and ministry,” adds Rockey. It seems that Texas proved to be a great place to start.

About Concordia University Texas

Concordia University Texas (CTX) is Austin's leading Christian University offering a range of dynamic and dialogue-centered liberal arts undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in a caring and personalized learning environment. CTX is located in thriving and growing Austin and offers courses online and on its scenic, 400+-acre nature-preserve campus. Concordia is committed to providing higher education opportunities to students of all backgrounds and being a place where the adventure of faith, learning, and life-changing experiences leads to meaningful work.