Rev. Brian A.F. Beckstrom

Assistant Vice President for Mission, Church and Ministry

Rev. Brian A.F. Beckstrom will join Valparaiso University as assistant vice president for mission, church and ministry effective Jan. 17, 2022. Most recently, Beckstrom has served at Wartburg College as dean of spiritual life and campus pastor.

In his role as assistant vice president for mission, church and ministry, Beckstrom will be responsible for promoting, supporting and advancing the University’s Lutheran mission, both internally and externally, including fostering ongoing relationships with various Lutheran denominations and other entities. He will also oversee the administrative management of all programs housed in the Helge Center for Mission and Ministry, including chapel and student ministries, the Allen Scholars program, the Institute of Liturgical Studies and the Institute for Leadership and Service.

Beckstrom’s career experience brings together pastoral ministry and higher education administration, covering a wide range that includes campus ministry, administrative management, student life, recruitment, financial aid and church relations. He has championed the faith mission at Wartburg College while overseeing spiritual life and campus ministry, creating new discipleship processes and encouraging faith exploration and development both in and out of the classroom. Valparaiso University is currently undergoing a campuswide strategic planning process to shape its future, and Beckstrom’s experience leading the vocation group for strategic planning at Wartburg College will help prepare him for this work.

Vice President Beckstrom is an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and received his doctor of ministry in congregational mission and leadership from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. He recently completed the LECNA fellows program, a year-long leadership development experience that is part of the pan-Lutheran organization Lutheran Education Conference in North America.

Education

Ph.D. — Luther Seminary, St.Paul, Minnesota