Get to Know the
Southeastern Synod Staff
The Office of the Bishop exists to oversee the proclamation of the Gospel, to serve with and among the many congregations, ministries, and ministry partners of the synod, and to share in mission within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
The Office of the Bishop staff (synod staff) focuses our shared work through:
proclaiming the Good News of God through Jesus Christ
equipping rostered ministers, professional lay ministers, and all baptized leaders in congregations with resources, tools, connections, vitality, and partnerships
accompanying congregations, ministries, rostered ministers, ministry candidates, and congregational leaders in the regular ministry of challenges, joys, and transitions
celebrating mission and ministry
Meet the Synod Staff
Bishop Amy Current
Bishop of the Southeastern Iowa Synod
Rev. Amy Current is a pastor in The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and has served the Southeastern Iowa Synod in the office of bishop since 2020. She is a graduate of Concordia College, Moorhead, MN (B.A.) and Wartburg Theological Seminary (M.Div.).
Prior to her role as bishop, Current served as vice president for admissions and student services at Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. She also served in various leadership roles at Wartburg Seminary including director for financial aid and stewardship formation, director for public communications, and interim director of the Center for Youth Ministries. Born and raised in North Dakota, Amy was honored to serve as pastor of Maple Sheyenne Lutheran Church in Harwood, N.D., as pastor of Golden Ridge Lutheran Church, Fargo, N.D., and Congregational Lutheran United Church, Gardner, N.D.
Bishop Current serves on the boards of Grand View University, Lutheran Services in Iowa, and Wartburg College.
Bishop Current is married to Rev. Dr. Samuel Giere, who serves as professor of biblical interpretation at Wartburg Theological Seminary. They have two children, Isaac and Shonagh Current Giere. The family has a miniature Australian shepherd, Otis.
Bishop Current enjoys reading novels, kayaking, snowshoeing, walking, sharing meals, lingering in conversation, watching tv, and exploring through travel.
Phone: (319) 338-1273 ext. 805
(Download permissions for use granted to congregations and partner organizations of the Southeastern Iowa Synod.)
Pastor Dan Kuckuck
Assistant to the Bishop for Leadership and Congregational Transitions
Pastor Dan Kuckuck is a pastor in The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and has served an assistant to Bishop Amy Current in the Southeastern Iowa Synod since 2021. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia (B.A.) and the University of Chicago (M.Div.), with a graduate certificate in Spiritual Direction from St. John’s University, Collegeville, MN.
Pastor Kuckuck manages the areas of mobility and call process, rostered minister leadership, wellness, and support, provide leadership and support for synod youth ministries, and clergy coaching. As Assistant to the Bishop, Pastor Kuckuck will also be visiting and accompanying congregations of the Southeastern Iowa synod.
Prior to serving in the Office of the Bishop, Kuckuck served as pastor of St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Urbandale, Iowa since 2013 and as a pastor in residency at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Davenport, IA. He has also served on many synod committees and as a synod dean. He is a trained ELCA Coach and has also served as a consultant with LEAD, a coaching and consulting ministry. Dan has also served congregations in Fairbanks, Alaska, and Chicago, Illinois.
Pastor Kuckuck is married to Minda Kuckuck, a communications professional in Des Moines. They have two children, Olivia and Zoe, and a 90-lb Labrador named Luna.
Pastor Kuckuck enjoys cooking for others, baking bread, running absurdly long distances, watching sci-fi television shows and movies, traveling, and hanging out with his family in the backyard on sunny days.
Contact Rev. Kuckuck about:
Congregational Transitions and Call
Interim Ministry
Pulpit Supply
Coaching
Children, Youth and Family Ministry
Phone: (319) 338-1273 ext. 806
Deacon Jodi Schuman
Assistant to the Bishop for Candidacy and Operations
Deacon Jodi Schuman began serving as Assistant to the Bishop for Candidacy and Operations on April 6, 2021. She is responsible for supporting and relating to synod candidates and the candidacy committee, facilitating the work of synod governance, synod council, and Synod Assembly, and managing synod projects, operations, and events as well as visiting and accompanying congregations of the Southeastern Iowa Synod.
Commissioned as an Associate in Ministry in 2016, Deacon Schuman was previously called to Memorial Lutheran in Nevada, IA, where she had served since 2007. She was part of the Southeastern Iowa Synod’s Macedonia Table in 2011 and 2012 and served two terms as Synod Treasurer from 2013 until accepting this call. Before joining Memorial’s staff, Schuman worked as a science and technology teacher. She has a BS in Biochemistry from the University of Wyoming and attended Iowa State University for teacher certification.
Deacon Schuman has been married to her husband, Bill, since 1987. They have an adult daughter, Amanda, who lives and works in the Minneapolis area. Home life centers around cooking and sharing wine with friends.
Contact Deacon Schuman about:
Candidacy
Synod Events and Assembly
Constitutions
Synod Council
Phone: (319) 338-1273 ext. 804
Pastor LeAnn Stubbs
Director for Evangelical Mission/Assistant to the Bishop
Contact Pastor Stubbs about:
Mission and Congregational Vitality
Stewardship and Mission Support
Phone: (319) 338-1273 ext. 809
Amy Van Dyke
Associate to the Bishop for Finance
Amy Van Dyke was called to serve in August of 2021, Amy provides administrative financial support to the Office of the Bishop and oversees the administration of synod finances, insurance, coordination of payroll, and personnel records. She tends to financial relationships with partners like campus ministries, churchwide ministries, and the Mission Investment Fund. In addition, she provides support with budgeting, mission support tracking, and investments, along with annual audit coordination. Amy brings financial experience from both private and non-profit sectors including working in congregations. Amy is married and has two children. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, attending her children’s activities, reading, and gardening.
Contact Amy about:
Congregational Finances
Mission Intent and Support
Phone: (319) 338-1273 ext. 807
Samantha Fash
Associate to the Bishop for Administration
Samantha Fash is the Associate to the Bishop for Administration at the Southeastern Iowa Synod, where she combines her passion for creativity, organization, and community building. She joined the synod office in January 2025, bringing years of experience in administration, communications, and nonprofit leadership.
Before stepping into her current role, Samantha worked at the Iowa State Capitol as a Legislative Clerk for the House of Representatives, refining her skills in research, policy coordination, and constituent relations. She later served as the Administrative Director at Luther Memorial Church in Des Moines, where she oversaw operations, communications, and event planning, while also collaborating with a team to raise funds for a multimillion-dollar capital campaign. Her expertise in marketing and design also led her to roles as a Graphic Designer and Creative Associate at The Jacobson Institute at Grand View University and as an Advancement Associate at Grand View University, where she focused on donor engagement and strategic outreach.
A proud alumna of Grand View University with a degree in Political Science and minors in Philosophy and Sociology, Samantha thrives in roles that bring people together, foster collaboration, and create meaningful connections. Whether coordinating events, shaping communications, or crafting creative outreach strategies, she is dedicated to making a lasting impact.
Outside of work, Samantha and her husband, Jordan, love to explore—traveling to new places, attending concerts and stage productions, and visiting museums (especially art museums). She believes that creativity and community are at the heart of everything she does.
Contact Samantha about:
Scheduling an appointment with Bishop Current
Synod communications & records
Office operations & logistics
Event & project coordination
Partner & ministry support
Phone: (319) 338-1273 ext. 801
Evoke Experts
Communications Partner
Evoke is a marketing and communication firm specializing in supporting nonprofits and churches. They help organizations improve their digital presence and engage with communities by offering expert guidance, resources, and best practices.
With the Southeastern Iowa Synod, Evoke serves as an extension of their team by highlighting how being church together reflects God's work in the synod through tailored communications that foster deeper connections, collaboration, and shared mission among congregations and the community.
Partners in Ministry
Portico Benefit Services
nonprofit benefit ministry of the ELCA, serving with a commitment to enhance the well-being of those who serve in the church, faith-related ministries, and higher education. Portico provides benefits that support the financial, emotional, and physical well-being of members through every stage of life.
Regional Contact Email: Jennifer Prinz
Portico Resources (Sept. 2024)
ELCA Foundation
Ongoing and planned estate gifts. The Foundation also assists congregations and its leaders with guidance, endowment investment opportunities, and more to help ensure that ELCA ministries are sustainable for years to come.
Regional Contact: Mike Klinefelter
Mission Investment Fund
Offers investments for individuals, congregations, and social ministry organizations. It also offers loans for church and ministry building projects, land purchases, and refinancing.
Regional Contact Email: Rev. Kent Peterson
Not sure who to contact?
Send us a general inquiry, and we will direct your message to a staff member that can help.