Dr. Ferd graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary, Springfield, IL and was ordained in 1959. He is Pastor Emeritus of Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, WI, having served for 35 years.
 
He graduated with a Doctor of Ministry from Trinity Evangelical Theological Seminary in 1997. After retiring in 2000, he has taken 5 trips to India with UEMI. He is particularly committed to the UEMI Community Transformation Center church planting ministry, encouraging and teaching students each trip. He has served as interim pastor in Racine and Milwaukee, WI. He also teaches Bible and Theology in the School of Adult Education, Concordia University, Wisconsin. He is happily married to Doris for 48 years and has 4 children and 14 grandchildren.

James Ackerman was born on September. 27, 1928 at Mullan, Idaho to Christ Ackerman & Elizabeth Blotter. He has two sisters, Marlys Hoover and Mary Jane Luiewski. He studied in Concordia College , Ft. Wayne . IND. and graduated in 1949 Concordia Seminary,. St. Louis , MO. Since he was serving as vicar for three years, he did not graduate with his class, but in 1957.  During vicarage he taught grades 1 to 4. He found it a fulfilling task, and since no other teacher was available, he stayed on for two years.  He received a call to be in Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Herington Kansas where he spent 5 years.  During his stay in the Kansas District he served on the Board of Education and The Board of Evangelism, and was elected Pastoral Advisor to the District Wather League.  He then accepted a call from St. Mark in Muskegon ,  MICH , where he spent four years.

Kevin Elseroad is founding pastor of Christ the Shepherd Lutheran Church (1991) in Alpharetta , Georgia , a northern suburb of Atlanta . Kevin was raised in Baltimore , and is a graduate of Concordia, Seward , NE (1977) and of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (1981). He has served one other church: St. Paul , Parkersburg , W.Va. (1981-1989). Kevin desires for himself and his congregation to be connected to missions: local, national, and international. UEMI Founder John Peter has been a frequent guest at the Elseroad home. Kevin is married to Bonnie and they have 2 married sons and a daughter: Dan (Heidi), Ben (April), and Bethany .

Darwin Karsten was born July 18, 1943 in Falls City , Nebraska . He is a graduate of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis , Missouri , in 1969. He married Jan on August 25, 1968 ; they have three children, six grandchildren. He was Assistant Pastor for three years (1969 – 1972) at St. Martin Lutheran Church in Clintonville , Wisconsin . He has been Senior Pastor at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Eureka , Missouri since 1972; now serves as Director of Prayer and Care Ministries. He served in elected offices of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod for 25 years in Evangelism, Missions, and Congregational Services. His primary partner in ministry is his wife, Jan, a registered nurse. Together their partnership has taken them beyond the congregation into various marriage and family ministries and missions to New Zealand , Australia , and India. Their desire and passion is to help pastors in their marriage, family, and ministry lives and to extend Jesus' love and salvation around the world.

Kathy Arquette is board member of UEMI, deeply involved in the women’s ministry

Kathy Arquette served in St. John's Lutheran Church , Denver , CO for many years; most recently as Sr. Ministry Assistant overseeing the Cell Group Ministry, pastoral care and administration. Now her energies are turned to her passion for Missions and helping new believers grow strong in faith. She has just returned from a 2-month stay in India, where she was working with the women of Talitha Cumi.