Mission Training Center
FLT Instructors
Dr. Cari Chittick
Dr. Cari Chittick is the Director of Lutheran Teaching Programs, Director of LCMS Placement, and an Associate Professor of Education at Concordia University Irvine. She has a passion for the ministry of Lutheran schools and for encouraging the professional growth of future and current educators in ministering to children with varying abilities to enhance students’ academic potential while nurturing their faith. In her spare time, Dr. Chittick enjoys her students of all ages, her family, global mission work, and time in the outdoors to hike, kayak, and explore!
Dr. Lori Doyle
Dr. Lori Doyle has been a rostered Lutheran church worker for 25 years. Her first call was to teach theology and English at Faith Lutheran High School in LaVerne, CA. Lori has worked in higher education for the past twenty years, and she currently serves on the full-time faculty at Concordia University Irvine as Associate Professor of Education, Director of the Master of Arts in Educational Leadership programs, and Director of the Servant Leadership Institute. Lori's husband, Jon, is a Lutheran School principal and together they have four children who either work for or attend Lutheran schools. You might say, Lori loves Lutheran education!
Jon Doyle
Jon Doyle is the principal of Christ Lutheran School in Phoenix, Arizona, where he previously served as assistant principal and 6th grade teacher. He has had the privilege of serving in ministry for over 26 years at various Lutheran schools. He received his undergraduate degree in biology and his MAED in administration, both from Concordia university Irvine. Jon enjoys coaching basketball and volleyball, and in his not-so-spare time, plays a mean game of pickle ball.
Carrie Evans
Carrie Evans currently serves as the middle school language arts teacher at Bethany Lutheran School in Long Beach, CA. Carrie enjoyed teaching at the high school level for several years before God called her to teach middle school, where she is blessed to walk alongside the students and their families during their pre-teen and teenage years. She loves working with these amazing students. Carrie’s passion for Lutheran school education comes from her parents (both Lutheran school teachers) and from her own experiences as a student while attending K-8 at Christ Lutheran School (Phoenix, AZ), Valley Lutheran High School (Phoenix, AZ), and Concordia University, Irvine, where she holds a Bachelor of Arts: English and Theology (‘04) and a Master of Education: Curriculum and Instruction (‘06). Carrie strives to create a welcoming learning environment rich with curiosity, excellence, and Jesus’s love and grace.
Rev. Schmid
Bio here.
Rev. Dr. Greg Walton
Rev. Dr. Gregory Walton’s passion is seeing healthier ministries by working with church workers and laity to see the benefits of intentional care for leading to a stronger ministry and the ongoing care of church workers. Prior to his work at LCEF, Greg served over 22 years in parish ministry, first in a mission congregation and then a larger congregation, both in Georgia. During those years he served in a variety of roles in his community, and in the district, including on the circuit level, as a member of the District Board of Directors and on the District LCEF Finance Committee. He later served as the district president for the Florida-Georgia District, LCMS for 13 years. Walton and his wife of over 40 years, Edith, reside in the Atlanta area, close to their two married sons and six grandchildren.
Mary Wolfinbarger
Mary Wolfinbarger serves as the Early Childhood Consultant for the Pacific Southwest District of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) and as a Director Mentor for the state of California. With over 20 years of experience as a teacher and director in Lutheran early childhood education, Mary is passionate about equipping educators and strengthening faith-based learning environments.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Theology and serves as an Adjunct Professor for Concordia University, Nebraska and Concordia University, Irvine. In addition, Mary is a member of the National LCMS Early Childhood Cabinet, where she helps shape early childhood ministry initiatives across the synod.
Christy Wood
Dr. Christy Wood serves as principal at St. John's Lutheran School in Napa, CA. She brings over 25 years of experience as a teacher and administrator, having served schools in California, Arizona, and Nevada. Christy is actively involved with the accreditation of schools serving as the National Lutheran Schools Accreditation (NLSA) representative on the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) commission and as a member of the CNH Accreditation Commission. In addition, she serves on the Board of Directors for the CNH District and is a past board member of the Lutheran Education Association.