Rev. Dr. Gerard Bolling is a seasoned Pastor, orator, diversity teacher/leader, researcher, digital education leader, writer, conference/training leader and Lutheran Educator. He holds a BA in Theatre from Concordia University Chicago (2012), an MDiv (Master of Divinity) from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis (2016), and a Doctorate of Education (EdD) from Concordia University in Wisconsin (2020). His Doctoral Program was in Leadership, Innovation, and Continuous Improvement (LICI), and his research/dissertation revolved around Human Resource development in under-resourced urban ministry structures of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod as it related to mentorship. He was born and raised in New York City, and now resides in St. Louis, MO.
Dr. Bolling dually called to two full-time roles. He serves as Full Time Assistant Professor of Leadership & Theology as well as the Teaching & Learning Equity Officer at Concordia University in Texas, working completely remotely in the online modality serving primarily online students. In addition to this role, he also serves as the Lead Pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in the inner city of St. Louis. In his role at Bethlehem, he serves as the leader of the leaders, leading a dynamic pastoral and lay minister staff in Word and Sacrament, dynamic community engagement, and innovative community development endeavors. Some of these have included a vibrant housing ministry, a multisite Youth Ministry, over 12 Bible studies a week, a social ministry arm called the Lutheran Hope Center, and more! It has been simply wonderful for the ministry to serve as an innovation to the Lutheran-Church Missouri Synod and a blessing to those whom we serve who are often overlooked because of the socioeconomic situations.
In his spare time, he enjoys reading, speaking sign language (I am fluent!), and spending time with family. He also hosts a podcast on Diversity and Inclusion with his sister (Deaconess Janine Bolling serving as Executive Director of Our Saviour Lutheran School in the Bronx, NY) that is connected with Lutheran Hour Ministries! The Podcast is called "The (Im)partial Church." Give it a listen by clicking HERE
Dr. Bolling has been married to his beautiful wife, Lorenda, for 9 years. Lorenda serves as a preschool teacher at Word of Life Lutheran School. They have a 6-year-old son named Lincoln, and a 4-year-old daughter named Monroe. Both of his kids were born in different years but on the same exact day—October 5th! They currently reside on the south side of the city of St. Louis, MO.