New Lutheran education leader installed

Ms Jodie Hoff was installed as the executive director of Lutheran Education Australia (LEA) on Sunday 22 February 2026 at St Paul Lutheran Church Blair Athol in South Australia.

Installed by LCANZ Bishop Paul Smith, Jodie was welcomed by almost 160 guests, including family, friends, colleagues, students and representatives from Lutheran schools, early learning centres and congregations, as well as members of the wider community.

Opening the service, Jodie acknowledged the traditional custodians of the land and reflected on the personal significance of the venue. ‘Belonging and connection are important for us all,’ she said. ‘St Paul is a place where my parents were married, my sister and I were baptised, and we started school together here.’

She shared that she was recently reminded by LCA Queensland District Bishop Mark Vainikka of the meaning of community while visiting St Andrews Lutheran College in Queensland. ‘Community isn’t about “fitting in” but rather about belonging,’ she said. She expressed her hope that Lutheran schools and early learning centres will be places ‘where students, staff and families know they belong – just as they are – uniquely created in the image of God’.

Lutheran education serves more than 55,000 young people and employs more than 5,000 staff. Jodie said she hopes these communities will continue to be places where young people ‘can ask big questions about the world, God, faith and vocation in a safe and nurturing community so that they can serve as hope-filled people in the world wherever they may find themselves’.

Jodie brings more than 28 years of executive leadership experience to the role, including 14 years as founding principal of Lutheran Ormeau Rivers District School (LORDS) at Pimpama in South-East Queensland. Her earlier ministry included teaching and senior leadership roles at Lutheran schools on the Gold Coast.

Students from several Lutheran schools participated in the service through readings, prayers, music and words of welcome. LEA Board Chair Ms Jill Lange-Mohr OAM brought greetings on behalf of the board, and local Members of Parliament were among those attending. Guests gathered afterwards for afternoon tea hosted by members of the St Paul congregation.

Jodie, who began her role in January, succeeds Associate Professor Lisa Schmidt and now assumes responsibility for Lutheran education nationally.