The Rt. Rev. James Heiser has served as bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America since 2006. He was ordained in 1995 and has served congregations in Illinois and Texas. He also serves as Dean of Missions of The Augustana Ministerium and as member of the Board of Directors and Steering Committee of The Mars Society. Heiser holds degrees in Political Science (BA-George Washington University) and Theology (M.Div. and S.T.M.-Concordia Theological Seminary). His published works include three books ("The Office of the Ministry in N. Hunnius' Epitome Credendorum" [1996], and "A Shining City on a Higher Hill: Christianity and the Next New World" [2006] and "Civilization and the New Frontier" [2010]).