After 42 years of committed service to the Lutheran education ministry, Dwayne Jobst has announced his retirement from his role as the principal at Lake Country Lutheran High School effective after the conclusion of the 2017-18 school year. Dwayne's faithfulness to His Lord, his devotion to his staff, and his deep passion for people to "hold on to their Rock" through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ beautifully embodies how he has made a life-long impact on the lives of countless students and their families- Dwayne Jobst indeed exemplifies a legacy of love and service.
Dwayne has served in the Lutheran High School Association of Greater Milwaukee since 1999. After spending 12 years at Milwaukee Lutheran High School as assistant principal with an emphasis in the area of guidance, Dwayne answered the call to serve as the principal at Lake Country Lutheran High School in 2011, a role that he has faithfully fulfilled ever since.
"I am humbled for the journey that I have experienced these last 42 years," Dwayne shares. "It seems like just yesterday I said goodbye to my father as he was working the family farm located in the small farming community just west of Des Moines. And now 42 years later, I see God's hand in every step I took. Serving in three different schools in Ohio and Wisconsin, I have had the privilege of serving over 4,000 students who I loved and treated as if they were my own sons and daughters."
CEO Cole Braun shares, "It is hard to express just how thankful I am for Dwayne, how honored we are to have him serving at the LHSAGM, and how much I will miss working with him each day. I have had the tremendous opportunity to serve alongside Dwayne for the past 4 years, and his leadership at Lake Country Lutheran has been outstanding. I am continually impressed by the drive, passion, and commitment that Dwayne shows towards his personal ministry and impacting the lives of thousands of students and families over his professional career. He and his wonderful wife Ann have given so much of themselves to Lutheran education, and we certainly wish both of them all of God's blessings in his retirement."
Early Ministry Experiences
Upon graduation from Concordia University- St. Paul (MN) in 1975, Dwayne began his career as the Director of Christian Education at Grace Lutheran Church in Elyria, Ohio. In 1981 after five years at Grace, Dwayne took a call to serve as guidance counselor at Lutheran High School West in Cleveland, Ohio. His ministry there spanned the next 18 years, where he was blessed to be the guidance counselor from 1981-1985 (during which time he also served as the head wrestling coach and as an assistant football coach), athletic director and assistant principal from 1985-1991, and then as the school's principal from 1991-1999.
Dwayne holds a masters degree from Bowling Green University (1982) and post-masters work at Kent State University and Ashland University.
Dwayne's ministry has notably been blessed by mutual service to the Lord and Lutheran education with his lovely wife, Ann. Dwayne and Ann (also a Concordia St. Paul graduate) were married in 1977, with this year marking their celebration of 40 years of marriage. Ann retired last year after 40 years in Lutheran education, serving primarily in grades 1 through 5, ultimately spending the last 18 years as a beloved 3rd grade teacher at Hales Corners Lutheran School.
A Message From Dwayne
"My personal mission statement that I have held since 1975 is that 'I am here to prepare students for their next step.' I have enjoyed partnering with students and helping prepare them for college, the military, work, and eternity. I have been privileged to attend and share in the celebrations of student's weddings, homecomings, baptisms, and funerals. I have even placed 9 students who were in high school in the arms of Jesus. Through it all, what keeps me coming back each day is having the opportunity to share with our students the power and purpose of the cross."
Regarding what he will miss the most, Dwayne simply comments, "I will miss chapel with my school family."
Dwayne's perspective on what really matters is a powerful testament to the Lord's work through him and through Christian education. "No matter what the day brings, it is a good day to share Jesus and shape lives. In the end, I always hold on to my rock....more of Jesus less of me. It has indeed been a beautiful day."
Reaching Out
We praise God for the remarkable work that has been accomplished through Dwayne, and we have no doubt been blessed remarkably by his impact. Currently, we are actively involved in a process of identifying the next principal at LCL to begin with the 2018-19 school year, and will share those details as they become finalized. We certainly encourage you to connect with Dwayne via email (djobst@lakecountryhs.org) or by mail to the Lake Country Lutheran office at: 401 Campus Drive in Hartland, WI 53029. Please take the time to congratulate Dwayne as he and Ann soon embark on the next step in their journey. From the fitting words of Matthew, "Well done, good and faithful servant!"
