New Ecclesiastical Leader Named To Preside Over Mormon Congregations In Minneapolis And Western Suburbs

Online, May 21, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Perhaps you already know him? Successful by most standards, Kurt Schneiber is the CEO of Syncada, a technology company with headquarters in Minnesota providing "business-to-business network solutions to financial institutions regardless of language or currency" (a joint venture between VISA and US Bank). Schneiber has lived abroad in Greece, Finland, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and speaks both Finnish and Arabic. In addition, he serves on the advisory board for Parnassus Preparatory School, a classical education, tuition-free, college preparatory charter school in Maple Grove.

Then what motivates Schneiber to accept another demanding position that many would consider a full-time job? When asked, he says, "It's a wonderful opportunity to serve others and to share with them the blessings of living the Gospel. Being a small part of someone's personal progress is so rewarding."

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is well known for its lay clergy. As the new Stake President for the Minneapolis Minnesota Stake, Schneiber receives no monetary compensation for his work. Today, the Minneapolis Minnesota Stake has eight congregations throughout Minneapolis, Plymouth, Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, and Waconia.

As Stake President, Schneiber visits his congregations regularly, counseling with bishops and speaking frequently from the pulpit in church services. "Sundays are busy, but the work we pursue has such spiritual value for so many. I love it!" Schneiber explained. He also works closely with the women's leadership of the Church (Relief Society organization founded in 1842) to ensure the welfare and self reliance of members. He attends baptisms and funerals whenever possible. In addition, Schneiber is responsible for records, reports, finances, and properties within his stake. He is also responsible for community outreach.

Assisting Schneiber are two counselors: Chris Neilson of Eden Prairie and Mark Van Wagenen of Minnetonka, both also holding down full-time jobs in the business world.

Schneiber and his wife, Laura, have been married 30 years and live in Chanhassen. They are the parents of four children-three daughters and a son-ranging in age from 19 to 27, and look forward to welcoming their first grandchildren, twin girls in August.

Schneiber replaces Lewis Bautista (entrepreneur of Eddington's restaurants), former Stake President and resident of Orono. Bautista and his wife, Leslie, are preparing to leave for Guatemala in June where they will supervise and train more than 160 Mormon missionaries in that country for the next three years.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints strives to keep stakes at approximately 3,000 members. Each stake has 8-12 congregations. As membership grows, stakes and congregations divide. Membership in the State of Minnesota is approximately 33,300 with 91 congregations. Church membership is over 14 million worldwide.