LCMS 2004 Convention Music Director Jailed For Murder

Rev. Jack Cascione


Eric Henstenberg, who was chosen by President Gerald Kieschnick to direct the music for the LCMS Convention, called “The P2K,” is now being held in a Tarrant County Texas jail, for the murder of sixty one year old Lorna Vermeulen. 

 

At this point, Henstenberg is the chief suspect.  A man is innocent until proven guilty.  He is being held on a $250,000 bond.

 

Eric Henstenberg came to Grace Lutheran Church in Arlington TX as a vicar in July of 2002.  By December of 2002 he was forced to resign. 

 

The congregation was not given specific reasons for his removal.  However, some members of the congregation believe he removed for moral reasons.  The Director of Education was also fired.

 

Henstenberg sent a letter to the congregation in December telling them that he was no longer going to continue with his education at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis .

 

In 2003, Rev. John Nunes of St. Paul Lutheran Church LCMS, Dallas, hired Henstenberg as Director of Music.  Rev. Brunig is also listed as a staff member of St. Paul Lutheran Church but he is not listed on the LCMS clergy roster.

 

When Henstenberg was called as a Vicar to Grace he was also called to be a part-time intern for the Lutheran Inter-city Network Coalition (LINC).  The executive director is Rev. Mark Joeckel, LCMS, a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Arlington .

 

The victim, a member of Grace Arlington, was providing secretarial services at LINC.

 

In January of 2003, Grace held a congregational meeting.  Attorney Runzheimer, a member of the congregation, asked why Henstenberg was removed and why the Director of Education, a former professor of Dallas Theological Seminary, had been fired.

 

The President of the congregation announced that these reasons would not be disclosed.

 

The congregation did not follow Matthew 18, where Christ clearly states: “Tell it to the Church.”  Members of the congregation were not sufficiently warned to avoid Henstenberg as required by Roman 16:17 and Matthew 18.

 

There was no question in Rev. Nunes mind that Henstenberg had been forced out of Grace.

 

Henstenberg enrolled in an ELCA seminary in Austin .  After Nunes hired Henstenberg he placed him in charge of Music for the LCMS 2004 Convention, with the approval of Rev. Dr. Robert Scudieri and President Gerald Kieschnick.

 

The ELCA is in fellowship with those who promote homosexual and lesbian clergy and endorses gay marriage.

 

Reverend Nunes was appointed to the LCMS Commission on Church Relations and Theology (CTCR) and to “The P2K+ Celebration Steering Committee” by President Gerald Kieschnick.

 

Source: http://www.cameministries.org/News/Article3.html

"The P2K+ Celebration Steering Committee members include Rev. John Nunes of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Dallas, TX., Rev. Dr. Robert Scudieri of LCMS World Mission, Jane Schmotzer of Lutheran Hour Ministries and Jotham Johann Jhang, who serves as the committee's Chairman. Rev. Eric Henstenberg (music), Phil Hohle (video), Rev. Al Buckman (learnings research), and Rev. Glenn Lucas (stage direction) are assisting."

 

It was reported that Lorna Vermeulen was strangled and that Henstenburg is the chief suspect.

 

Wallace Schulz was fired from the Lutheran Hour because he claims it is wrong for David Benke to pray on the same podium with Moslem clergy.  President Kieschnick defends LCMS clergy praying at the same podium with Moslem clergy in public events.

 

However, when a man is fired from an LCMS congregation and becomes part of an ELCA Seminary, religion and record are ignored by the Synod, just as long as he can play the right kind of Church Growth Music at the Convention.

 

At the same time, a number of confessional LCMS pastors are being blackballed from serving in LCMS congregations in Texas and other districts.

 

The vast majority of The Council of District President continues to support President Kieschnick who, in turn, continues to defend their right to keep 80% of the 117 million dollars the Districts collect from congregations each year.

 

The reelection of Kieschnick in 2004 will signal the break-up of the LCMS.  The LCMS will most likely divide into districts or regions of district along religious and political lines.

 

February 16, 2004