At Work in the World
Featuring John Dellis '86
2026 will mark the 40th anniversary of my graduation from Trinity Lutheran Seminary and my 39th ordination anniversary as a deacon in the ELCA. The formation I received at the seminary impacts my life and service each day throughout the four calls where I have been blessed to serve.
Certainly the classroom work is foundational, yet I also recall and reflect on other aspects of seminary life that formed me as a minister of word and service. These include an outstanding ministry in context assignment with the late Rev. George Hartman and a field experience through Capital University’s communication services and church relations offices.
A graduate theological education is one of the greatest gifts that the church as a denomination can provide to its members. I see that profoundly today as chair of the Southwestern Texas Synod’s candidacy committee. Our annual giving to Trinity is rooted in being thankful and grateful: for the gift of a theological education through Trinity when I was a student, for how that gift inspires and informs my life and work each day, and the joy and privilege and helping make this possible for others.
I’ve met many Trinity students and graduates over the years: through my past service on the alumni council, by attending continuing education events on campus, and meeting Trinity graduates who now serve in area synods. Our annual giving to the seminary is a way of supporting the training of these leaders, those that we’ve met and are friends with and those that we’ve never met.
I’m thankful that Trinity continues to have a place and role as a seminary of the ELCA. I’m thankful that my spouse, Johnnie, joins me in supporting Trinity through our annual giving. And I’m thankful to be a Trinity graduate and the profound ways that the seminary has shaped my life to be at work in the world.
- Deacon John Dellis '86
Deacon John Dellis received the master of theological studies degree in 1986 from Trinity Lutheran Seminary and serves as director of legacy planning with Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest. He and his spouse, Johnnie Jordan, reside in Universal City, Texas and are members of Abiding Presence Lutheran Church in San Antonio.