John William Behnken (March 19, 1884 – February 23, 1968) was the sixth president of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) from 1935 to 1962. He previously served as president of the Synod's Texas District from 1926 to 1929.
Behnken was born on March 19, 1884, in Cypress, Texas, the eldest child of the Rev. George William Behnken and Helen née Wunderlich. George Behnken was a native of Hanover, Germany, immigrating to the United States in 1874. He died when John Behnken was three years old. Following George's death, Helen and her three children moved in with her widowed mother for five years, when she remarried. John Behnken attended Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, from 1903 to 1906, and was ordained on August 12, 1906, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fedor, Texas. He then worked as a missionary in Houston, Texas, and in 1908 became pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in that city, serving until 1935.[1][2][3]
In 1909, he married Gertrude Geisler, who died in 1910. In 1914, he married Hilda Grassmuck, who remained his wife until her death in 1954.[2]
Behnken served as president of the Texas District of the LCMS from 1926 to 1929. He then served a second vice-president of the LCMS from 1929 to 1932 and as first vice-president from 1932 to 1935. He was elected president of the LCMS at its 1935 synodical convention, and was reelected multiple times, serving until 1962, at which time he was named honorary president.[2] During his presidency he worked to establish the Lutheran Council in the United States of America.[1]
Behnken died on February 23, 1968, in Hollywood, Florida. Among the books he authored are God Is Our Refuge and Strength (1942) and his autobiography, This I Recall (1964).[2]
Referencesedit
^ abLueker, Erwin L.; Poellot, Luther; Jackson, Paul, eds. (2000). "Behnken, John William". Christian Cyclopedia (Online ed.). St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
^ abcd"John William Behnken: Sixth President of the Missouri Synod: 1935-1962". Concordia Historical Institute. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
john, behnken, john, william, behnken, march, 1884, february, 1968, sixth, president, lutheran, church, missouri, synod, lcms, from, 1935, 1962, previously, served, president, synod, texas, district, from, 1926, 1929, born, 1884, march, 1884cypress, texasdiedf. John William Behnken March 19 1884 February 23 1968 was the sixth president of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod LCMS from 1935 to 1962 He previously served as president of the Synod s Texas District from 1926 to 1929 John BehnkenBorn 1884 03 19 March 19 1884Cypress TexasDiedFebruary 23 1968 1968 02 23 aged 83 Hollywood FloridaEducationConcordia SeminarySpousesGertrude Geisler m 1909 died 1910 wbr Hilda Grassmuck m 1914 died 1954 wbr ChurchLutheran Church Missouri SynodOrdainedAugust 12 1906Offices heldPresident LCMS 1935 1962 Behnken was born on March 19 1884 in Cypress Texas the eldest child of the Rev George William Behnken and Helen nee Wunderlich George Behnken was a native of Hanover Germany immigrating to the United States in 1874 He died when John Behnken was three years old Following George s death Helen and her three children moved in with her widowed mother for five years when she remarried John Behnken attended Concordia Seminary in St Louis Missouri from 1903 to 1906 and was ordained on August 12 1906 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fedor Texas He then worked as a missionary in Houston Texas and in 1908 became pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in that city serving until 1935 1 2 3 In 1909 he married Gertrude Geisler who died in 1910 In 1914 he married Hilda Grassmuck who remained his wife until her death in 1954 2 Behnken served as president of the Texas District of the LCMS from 1926 to 1929 He then served a second vice president of the LCMS from 1929 to 1932 and as first vice president from 1932 to 1935 He was elected president of the LCMS at its 1935 synodical convention and was reelected multiple times serving until 1962 at which time he was named honorary president 2 During his presidency he worked to establish the Lutheran Council in the United States of America 1 Behnken died on February 23 1968 in Hollywood Florida Among the books he authored are God Is Our Refuge and Strength 1942 and his autobiography This I Recall 1964 2 References edit a b Lueker Erwin L Poellot Luther Jackson Paul eds 2000 Behnken John William Christian Cyclopedia Online ed St Louis Concordia Publishing House Retrieved October 6 2017 a b c d John William Behnken Sixth President of the Missouri Synod 1935 1962 Concordia Historical Institute Retrieved October 26 2021 John W Behnken 1857 1968 Family Collection c 1875 1973 Concordia Historical Institute Retrieved October 26 2021 Further reading editBehnken John W This I Recall St Louis Concordia Publishing House 1964 Behnken s memoirs Religious titles Preceded byF Pfotenhauer PresidentLutheran Church Missouri Synod1935 1962 Succeeded byOliver Harms Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title John Behnken amp oldid 1180291559, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
