Published in the Fall 2021 Cadets Magazine
This summer, we welcomed Jacob Pennekamp as our new Head of School, the top position for Concordia Lutheran High School. Jacob has a long tradition with Concordia as a 1992 graduate and parent to three graduates, one current student, and one Future Cadet. Read more about Jacob and his family in our Q&A.
What brought you to Concordia as the new Head of School?
I felt led to serve at Concordia because I believe that it is vital that CLHS is a leader for Lutheran Christ-centered education in this community, and I’m excited to do my part to help sustain and grow the excellence that CLHS has experienced in the past.
Tell us about your career path that ultimately led you to Concordia.
My first position out of Concordia University, Chicago was at Trinity Lutheran School in Davenport, Iowa. There, I served seven years as a middle school teacher and athletic director. During that time of coaching and teaching I learned the value of developing close relationships with students and parents.
I accepted my first administration position as principal and director of student ministry at St. Paul Lutheran School in Aurora, Ill., in 2003. This was an exciting ministry with a diverse student body that had a unique connection to a congregation that also had a Spanish service every week. Those four years were special to me as I was able to grow as a school and congregational leader.
In 2007, I accepted a Call to serve as principal of Emmanuel-St. Michael Lutheran School here in Fort Wayne. It was a blessing to watch that school enrollment grow and to expand that ministry over both the St. Michael and Emmanuel campuses.
You have strong family ties at Concordia. Can you tell us about that?
My wife, Sarah, is also a CLHS graduate (‘92) and we have been married for 25 years. The Lord has blessed us in many ways, but among the best gifts have been our five children: Mary, Grace, Nathan, Anna, and Naomi. They have all grown up in our Lutheran schools and the older three are recent CLHS graduates.
I’m a Michigan kid who moved to Fort Wayne as my father entered church ministry and attended Concordia Theological Seminary. That allowed me to attend CLHS for high school and was very significant in leading me toward a career in education. It was the influence of many Lutheran school teachers and coaches that helped me discern this calling for my life.
Church work and teaching is in our DNA as Sarah is also a teacher and currently serving Emmanuel Lutheran congregation in the areas of youth ministry and discipleship. And, our three children in college are all preparing for work in the Lutheran church as teachers, as well. We have always prayed that our children “would grow in wisdom, stature, and favor with God, and among all people,” (Luke 2:52). I’m a blessed father to watch how God is working through my kids. Sarah and I are grateful for how the CLHS teachers, staff, fellow parents, and students have provided a healthy community in which my children have thrived. CLHS has been an important part of the “village” that has been a special partnership for us as parents.
Why is Concordia an important part of your family?
Concordia is important to my family, my church, and this community. Today parents may have many reasons for selecting a school and the new school choice policies are providing new opportunities to every parent. But Concordia is special because it has a purpose beyond academic education. CLHS is preparing Christ-centered leaders for the community, our nation, and even the world. Today, maybe more than ever, we need servant leaders who are grounded in faith, live with values, and have a heart for their neighbor.
How does your faith drive what you do in your position?
I feel very humbled to serve as the Head of School at Concordia because I feel that God has led me to this position at this important time in our school’s history. We have many challenges and opportunities ahead of us. Yet, I fully trust that the Lord has promised to provide for his Church, and CLHS is an important mission of the church here in Fort Wayne.
What are your hopes for the next five years at Concordia?
I am so thankful for the talented and highly qualified teachers and staff at CLHS. God certainly has provided wonderful, caring people to lead, guide, and prepare our students. I hope that we can encourage and provide for our staff so that we can continue to recruit and retain the best teachers for our students.
Concordia recently completed a study that produced a potential site master plan that clearly demonstrates that 1601 St. Joe River Drive is the home of the Cadets for the future. While we do not yet know for certain what a future building will look like exactly and how our campus may be improved, we will continue to be part of this community and the unique education corridor we share with PFW, Ivy Tech, and our proximity to Concordia Theological Seminary. I’m excited to see how we will improve our facilities over the next few years so that they reflect the educational excellence of our students and staff.