Our Churches

Emmanuel-St. Michael Lutheran School is an Interparish School cooperatively supported by and led by Emmanuel Lutheran Church and St. Michael Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana. At ESM we boldly seek to provide education for life and faith for eternity. The ministries of Emmanuel Lutheran Church and St. Michael Lutheran Church are integral to our mission. Our strengths as a school exist because of the support of our churches. If you are interested in becoming a member at one of the associated churches, please check out their websites and come visit!

Get to know St. Michael Lutheran Church

Established in 1953, St. Michael Lutheran Church exists to connect people to Jesus. Their statement of faith professes “We believe that all people are, by nature, sinful and thus separated from God. We believe that God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to suffer and die in our place, and we believe that we are saved by grace through faith in Him alone. God creates and strengthens this faith in us through His means of grace, namely the Word, Holy Baptism, and Holy Communion.” St. Michael Lutheran Church is led by Pastor Reed Lessing and Pastor Shawn Davis. ‘Belong, Become and Bless’ at St. Michael Lutheran Church!

Pastor Dennis Goff

Rev. Dr. Dennis Goff was born in Columbus OH. He graduated from Oviedo High School, Oviedo FL followed by a year at the University of Central Florida in Orlando.  It was during his freshman year at college that he was led to go into the ministry and transferred to Concordia College, Ann Arbor MI before going on to Concordia Seminary, St. Louis MO. Dennis has served as a pastor in Louisiana, Florida and Minnesota prior to his work with the LCEF and The Lutheran Foundation.

Dennis is married to his wife Laura (nee Bok). They have two sons, Thad and Theo.  Thad lives in Fort Wayne and works for Worship Anew and Summit City Sports.  Theo is a pilot for Delta Airlines and is married to Elizabeth. Theo and Elizabeth live in Marietta GA with their 15 month old daughter, Amelia.   

Dennis and Laura enjoy traveling with family and friends, spending time with their granddaughter, and are always open to sharing a good meal and wine with old friends and new.

Pastor Shawn Davis

Pastor Shawn Davis graduated from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO in May 2017. He joined the St. Michael team as the Missional Pastor in June 2017. Pastor Shawn and his wife Anna met at Camp Lutherhaven in 2005 and have been blessed to have three children who are enjoying their time as students at ESM. 

Lutheran education is important because it connects children to Jesus, equips them with biblical truth and prepares them for lifelong service to their Savior.

- Rev. Shawn Davis, Missional Pastor

Get to know Emmanuel Lutheran Church

Established in 1867, Emmanuel Lutheran Church is “a caring family sharing God’s love and forgiveness.” This family exists to announce this gift of forgiveness to individuals of all nations and cultures through the preaching of God's Word and the administration of the Sacraments. Emmanuel instructs young and old according to the confessional standard of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, and reaches out through forgiving relationships, working to connect all members of the family through caring friendships. Emmanuel Lutheran Church is led by Pastor Thomas Eggold and Pastor Dan Sheafer.

Pastor Thomas Eggold

Pastor Eggold shares that "I love our church family. Preaching to, teaching, and caring for the people of Emmanuel has been and continues to be a great blessing in my life".

Pastor Eggold was born in Littleton, Colorado, and raised in Springfield, Illinois. His family moved to Fort Wayne in 1983 when his father enrolled in Concordia Theological Seminary. After finishing high school in Clarinda, Iowa, in 1987, he enrolled at Concordia Teachers' College in Seward, Nebraska (now Concordia University Nebraska), and graduated in 1992 after majoring in secondary education with a concentration in English and speech/drama. He then received a call from Concordia Lutheran High School in Fort Wayne where he served as an English teacher, soccer coach, and drama director from 1992-1996.

In 1996, he received a call from Emmanuel to serve as Director of Youth and Family Ministry, a position that he held until 2003 when he was ordained into the pastoral office.

Pastor Eggold is married his wife Sonya in 1992, and the Lord has blessed them with daughters and their husbands, Ella and Brendan, Madalene and John and a grandson, Joshua.

Pastor Daniel Scheafer

Pastor Sheafer was born and raised outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After 12 years in the Pittsburgh area, his family moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana. His parents, Mark and Jayne, still live here in Fort Wayne and work at Concordia Theological Seminary. His brother, Matt, and his wife, Lauren, live and work in Wisconsin. Pastor Sheafer attended Concordia Theological Seminary from 2012-2016. After graduating in May 2016, Pastor Sheafer was called to Emmanuel to serve as the associate pastor. He began his work at Emmanuel in July 2016.

Emmanuel-St. Michael Lutheran School provides our congregations with a unique and powerful opportunity to share God's love and forgiveness with children and their families on a daily basis.

Rev. Thomas Eggold, Senior Pastor