William Gafkjen ’79 is the Bishop of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). He is also chair of the ELCA Conference of Bishops, a group that includes the 65 Synod Bishops as well as the Presiding Bishop and Secretary of the denomination. The Conference advises the Presiding Bishop on matters of church policy and planning, ecumenical and inter-religious relations, and the mission and ministry of Lutheran pastors. Prior to his election as Bishop, Bill served as pastor to congregations in Minnesota, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Indiana. He also has experience as a campus pastor, serving in Lutheran Campus Ministry at Pennsylvania State University. Bill is currently a member of the St. Olaf College Board of Regents. He earned his bachelor’s degree from St. Olaf College, his M.Div. from Luther Theological Seminary, and his D.Min. from Columbia Theological Seminary.