Rev. Brant Engel is president of the Ephphatha Lutheran Mission Society. He brings a wealth of experience in Deaf ministry and working with Deaf people. Having relatives who served on the board of the Lutheran School for the Deaf in Detroit Michigan, the young pastor Engel spent many of his weekends and evenings on the grounds of the Deaf school, interacting with students and staff.
Following in what he observed at the school and in Lutheran churches around the city, Engel continued with his interests in Deaf ministry and education. He received a BS in education from Eastern Michigan University, a MEd in education from Wayne State, and a Masters of Divinity from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana. During seminary Pastor Engel spent his year of vicarage (pastoral internship) working and learning Deaf ministry in Columbus, Ohio, and then soon after graduation he returned to Michigan as pastor at Our Savior Lutheran Church of the Deaf, as well as missionary to the Deaf community.
Currently Rev. Engel is Administrative Pastor at Christ the King of the Deaf and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Flint Michigan. He also assists in teaching Deaf ministry at his alma mater in Fort Wayne. To date, he has had 37 years working in Deaf ministry. Engel and his wife Bonnie currently reside in Hartland Michigan. He also enjoys coaching high school football, softball and track.