About Our Church
Concordia is in the heart of Conover, North Carolina. Visible from Main Street, Concordia seeks to be a vibrant part of the community and provide a positive impact in Christian love and care.
One of the long-standing contributions of Concordia has been providing is excellence in Christian Education with a school that was begun on the church site in 1877. Today, Concordia Christian Day School enjoys an enrollment of more than 200 students (Preschool- 8th Grade) and was instrumental in the establishment of University Christian High School. (9-12 Grade).
Concordia also plays an active role in support of community service agencies.
Concordia offers various expressions of Christian Worship and provides three worship services each week. Services on Sunday are at 9:00 a.m. (contemporary service) and 11:00 a.m. (traditional). All services are held in the church sanctuary.
Our History
- In 1877 Concordia Lutheran Church had its beginnings with the old Concordia College.
- In September if 1878, Concordia Lutheran was recognized by the Tennessee Synod Convention.
- In 1894 Concordia Congregation took over the operation and support of grades one through seven from the college. That was the beginning of Concordia Christian Day School.
- The first church building was dedicated on October 31, 1897 and cost between $5,000 and $6,000. The congregation processed from the college to the new church building.
- In 1903, the first Parochial School Classes were held in the church building. There were 34 students.
- Concordia Lutheran Church merged with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod in May of 1911.
- In 1914, electric lights were installed in the first church and parsonage for a cost of $89.06. A memorial stained glass window was installed at a cost of $291.14
- In 1925 a new two story school building with 2 classrooms and basement was constructed.
- Concordia Christian Day School was "postponed" in 1933 due to the effects of the depression, after having been in operation for 56 years.
- Unfortunately the college closed in 1935 when fire destroyed the building. It never reopened.
- The Day School reopened in 1946, and has offered a Christian education to the children of Concordia and the surrounding community ever since.
- On April 20, 1958, the new sanctuary was constructed on the very site where the old Concordia College Administrative Office had once stood. A.G. Odell was the architect.
- On July 14, 1996 the current school building was dedicated. An additional wing was added to the school in 2006 which houses the middle school classes, and also provides the space for Jr. and Sr. Youth Ministry of the church.
- In 2006 the congregation added a contemporary worship service. Today, the contemporary service meets in the sanctuary at 9:00am and the traditional service meets at 11:00am. Christian Education meets during the hour between services.
Rev. Michael Geml
Senior Pastor
Pastor Geml came to Concordia in March of 2020 right after the Covid-19 shutdown. He and his wife Ruth have three grown children: Jackie, Angie, and Steven and two wonderful grandchildren. Pastor Geml is a huge sports fan of anything Michigan where he was born and raised. The Gemls reside in Newton, NC.
mgeml@concordianc.org
828-464-3324 x306
Kyle McClure
Minister of Music
Kyle has served as Minister of Music at Concordia since July 2006. Kyle is married to Karen and they have two beautiful daughters, Caroline and Kate.
kmcclure@concordianc.org
828-464-3324 ext. 305
David Beringer
School Principal
dberinger@concordianc.org
828-464-3011 ext. 202
Betsy Murray
Early Childhood Director
Betsy Murray has been at Concordia since 1996 and has 26 years experience in Education. She enjoys her ministry as the Preschool Director and Assistant Principal. She is married to Steve Murray and they have one daughter.
bmurray@concordianc.org
828-464-3011 ext. 203
Leslie Brown
Minister of Business Administration
Leslie became of Minister of Business Administration in April 2012 after 25 years in manufacturing accounting and management. She is a lifetime member of Concordia and is married to Cliff Brown.
lbrown@concordianc.org
828-464-3324 ext. 302
Susan Harman
Administration
Susan joined the staff in March 2013. She brings with her over 20 years of church accounting experience. Raised at Mt. Olive Lutheran in Newton, Susan now considers Concordia her home. Susan has a grown daughter, Kaitlyn. Susan resides in Newton, NC.
sharman@concordianc.org
828-464-3324 ext. 301
Vision for the Future
Our Mission
Shaped by Christ - To share His love
Our Values
We are:
- Forgiven and empowered by God’s Word and Sacrament
- Enriched by Biblical instruction
- Strengthened through fellowship
- Called to connect others to God through outreach and service
Our Measures
To grow to become the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ (Ephesians 4:15) we will be:
- Faithfully worshiping and praying (Luke 4:8)
- Actively studying God’s Word (Psalm 119:105)
- Purposefully uplifting one another through love and forgiveness (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
- Joyfully serving others (John 13:14-15) and boldly expressing our faith (Romans 1:16)
Our Ten-Year Vision
Concordia Lutheran Church and School has an expectation that we are actively involved in outreach and service. We are involved in a group or individual Bible Study. We will reflect the diversity of our community as a greater number of people join us in worship. The church and school are united in fellowship as we support, encourage, and care for one another.
Our Three-Year Vision
Word and Sacrament: We will become equipped to share the Gospel more effectively so more people will come to faith in our Lord Jesus.
Biblical Instruction: We will be more involved in studying the Word of God and how it applies to our lives today.
Fellowship: We will improve relationships with each other and with potential members.
Outreach and Service: We will further develop a culture of service and sharing the gospel message.
Our Objectives
Word and Sacrament
- Evaluate our worship experiences and practices
Elders – December, 2025 - Emphasize our prayer life
Everyone personally and corporately - Now - Increase school involvement in our worship services
Day School, Principal and Music Ministry At Church and School – December, 2025 - Support confirmands
Elders and Pastor Develop Prayer Partner Ministry – March, 2025 - Support our new members to include a mentor program
Assimilation – December, 2025 - Train greeters to be more informed in helping our visitors
Assimilation – December, 2025 - Evaluate our staffing needs in all areas
Church Council – December, 2025
Biblical Instruction
- Biblical instruction is theologically sound for all ages and phases of life
Christian Education and Pastor – December, 2025 - Offer a variety of Biblical instruction at various time throughout the week
Christian Education and Pastor – December, 2025 - All leaders in the congregation will be involved in Biblical instruction
Church Council – June, 2025
Fellowship
- Create more fellowship opportunities to build relationships
Assimilation and Christian Education – December, 2025 - Develop and support present and new auxiliary groups
Day School, LLL, LWML – December, 2025 - Continue to support our Scouting programs
Christian Education – December, 2025
Outreach and Service
- Effectively use emerging technologies
Church Council - Technology Committee – June, 2025 - Develop new opportunities for outreach and service and promote our present opportunities
Mission & Ministry – December, 2025 - Engage the congregation in school mission projects
Day School, Principal, Mission& Ministry – December, 2025 - Be more visible in community and community events
Church County and Technology Committee – December, 2025 - Evaluate how our facilities can be used for the community and our future facility needs
Church Council, Trustees, and Day School – December, 2025
To achieve the above objectives, the congregation must evaluate the effectiveness of our church governance.
Announce to Congregation – First and Second Congregational Meetings – January and June, 2025 Report Evaluation to Congregation – Third Congregational Meeting – November 2025