FORT WAYNE, December 6, 2024—Dr. Samuli Siikavirta of Helsinki, Finland, was installed as assistant professor of exegetical theology December 2 at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW). The CTSFW Board of Regents extended the call to Siikavirta at its November 2023 meeting, and he accepted in January 2024.
"Our seminary faculty rejoices at the installation of Dr. Siikavirta," said Dr. Charles Gieschen, CTSFW provost. "His substantial experience as a confessional Lutheran pastor in Finland and his careful study of the New Testament Scriptures cultivated at the University of Cambridge will now be a great blessing to the formation of our students in Jesus Christ as faithful Lutheran pastors and deaconesses. His international experiences will enrich our seminary community and our global focus."
Dr. D. Richard Stuckwisch, president of the LCMS Indiana District, installs Dr. Samuli Siikavirta as assistant professor of exegetical theology at CTSFW.
Siikavirta holds several degrees from the University of Cambridge, including a PhD in divinity (2015). His prior teaching experience includes serving as a visiting scholar at CTSFW in 2013 and teaching New Testament Greek at Cambridge colleges and at Westfield House in Cambridge, which for many years has served as a study abroad option for CTSFW students.
He also brings with him a decade of parish experience. After being ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland (ELMDF) in 2014, Siikavirta was called to serve as associate pastor at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Helsinki. In 2016, he was called as head pastor at St. Mark’s, where he served until coming to CTSFW.
During those years, Siikavirta also served as the head of ELMDF's Young Adults Ministry (2019–2022), managing editor of Pyhäkön Lamppu (ELMDF’s newspaper; 2015–2019), and notary of the ELMDF Consistory (2015–2024). He continues to serve as the board chair of the international Corpus Christi Association, which organizes Lutheran young adults conferences in Europe inspired by Higher Things (2016–the present).
CTSFW President Dr. Jon Bruss, who preached on 1 Thessalonians 5:12–24 at Siikavirta's installation, drew attention to vocation in his sermon, working with the text and the parable of the five talents to highlight the importance of putting trust not in what you do, but in the character of Christ. Near the end of the sermon, Bruss applied that lesson to Siikavirta.
"We’ve been waiting for you to get here so long, and now we are so glad to have you on board. Blessings to you and your family," said Bruss. "But hear this loud and clear: pecca fortiter, sed crede fortius: sin boldly, but believe all the more boldly. Get at it with joy and thanksgiving, knowing the character of the Lord who has called you to this."
Māra and Samuli Siikavirta with daughter Lidia.
Siikavirta, whose wife Māra and young daughter Lidia joined him at the installation service, was happy that the day had finally arrived after months of preparing to come overseas to work in the US.
"I was greatly encouraged by the service and the Word of God preached by President Bruss," said Siikavirta. "When the Lord gives us new challenges and big shoes to fill, it is easy to fall into fear and hide our talents in the ground. In Christ, however, we may move on boldly, trusting in the grace and mercy of our Lord. I am excited to begin this new phase in my ministry in His service at CTSFW."
Founded in 1846, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, forms servants of Jesus Christ in a vibrant, Christ-centered theological community that engages and resources the church and the world, domestically and internationally, with distinctively Lutheran teaching, practice, and worship. To learn more, visit ctsfw.edu.
