ELCA NEWS SERVICE

April 28, 2005

Martin Wells Re-Elected Bishop of ELCA Eastern Washington-Idaho Synod
05-078-JB

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Martin D. Wells, 56, was re-elected April
23 to a six-year term as bishop of the Eastern Washington-Idaho Synod of
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Wells was re-elected
on the second ballot for bishop at the synod assembly in Spokane, Wash.
     On the second ballot for bishop, Wells received 209 votes over the
Rev. Michael B. Sager, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Spokane, with 75
votes and the Rev. John Nelson, Grace Lutheran Church, Wenatchee, Wash.,
who received 15 votes. There were three names on the nominating ballot.
     Wells was first elected bishop in 1999, succeeding the Rev. Robert M.
Keller, who retired as bishop of the synod.
     Born in Greeley, Colo., Wells graduated from the University of
Denver. He earned a law degree from the University of Puget Sound,
Tacoma, Wash.
     After studying at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Berkeley,
Calif., Wells and his wife, the Rev. Susan R. Briehl, were ordained in
1981. The couple served as pastors of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church,
Bellingham, Wash., campus pastors at Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma,
and directors of Holden Village, Lake Chelan, Wash. Briehl is currently a
project associate at Valparaiso (Ind.) University.
     Wells and Briehl are the parents of two grown daughters.
     The ELCA Eastern Washington-Idaho Synod includes 36,775 Lutherans in
108 congregations across Idaho and 20 counties in eastern Washington. The
synod office is in Spokane.
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     Information about the ELCA Eastern Washington-Idaho Synod is at
http://www.ewaidsynod.org/ on the Web.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask]
http://www.elca.org/news