Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry Takes Office Leading Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

The Rev. Yehiel Curry is the presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). He was elected at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Phoenix, Ariz., on July 30, 2025, and began the role on Oct. 1, 2025.

Before his election, he served as bishop of the ELCA Metropolitan Chicago Synod, where he led a synod staff and 160 congregations. His duties included pastoral care, preaching, teaching, administering sacraments, and overseeing ordinations and installations. He was elected synod bishop in 2019 and reelected in spring 2025.

During his synod service, he chaired the ELCA Conference of Bishops. According to the ELCA’s biography, he fostered ecumenical relationships and theological engagement across the Lutheran communion in that role.

Earlier in his ministry, Curry served as mission developer (2007–2012) and then pastor (2013–2019) of Shekinah Chapel Lutheran Church in Riverdale, Ill. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Lewis University in Romeoville, Ill., and a Master of Divinity from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. He and his wife, LaShonda, are the parents of three daughters.

The ELCA’s page lists a series of messages from Curry under the heading “All Together in One Place.” Titles include “Choosing Reconciliation Over Division in a Multifaith America,” a message on pursuing peace over division (Matthew 5:9), and an introduction to a monthly message series. A later entry, “A Call to be Trusted Messengers in This Election Season,” is also listed.

The page also lists statements from the presiding bishop, including “An Easter Message from Presiding Bishop Curry” and “Presiding Bishop Curry and Faith Leaders Urge Humane Policies in DHS Negotiations.” The page shows only the titles of these items, so it does not give further detail on the content of the negotiations or the statements.

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