Rev. Warren Hamp, former CTCR chair, enters into glory

KITCHENER, Ont. – Rev. Warren “Woody” William Hamp, a former member of Lutheran Church–Canada’s (LCC) Board of Directors and former chair of LCC’s Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR), entered into glory on February 27, 2026. He was 62 years old.

Rev. Hamp was born on October 30, 1963. He served as the pastor of Faith Lutheran (Kitchener, Ontario) from 1993-2025, and as pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran (Beamsville, Ontario) from 1990-1993. He received his pastoral training through Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary (St. Catharines, Ontario), graduating in 1990.

Rev. Hamp served also on LCC’s Commission on Theology and Church Relations from 2007-2016. In 2011, the CTCR elected him chairman—a position he held through 2016. Rev. Hamp was subsequently elected to serve as a member of LCC’s Board of Directors from 2017-2021.

In 2022, Rev. Hamp returned to service as a member of the CTCR. Even while undergoing chemotherapy, he still managed to participate in the commission’s most recent meeting in October 2025, attending online by video conferencing.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will aware to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8). Those words of St. Paul came to mind upon being informed of the death of Rev. Warren Hamp following a lengthy illness. On behalf of the congregations, pastors and deacons of Lutheran Church-Canada I extend my deepest sympathies to the members of his family and to the members of Faith Lutheran Church, Kitchener ON whom he served faithfully for over thirty years. His service extended also to the church-at-large: on our synod’s Commission on Theology and Church Relations, member of the Board of Directors, and teaching on many an occasion in our synod’s mission field in Nicaragua. Woody was a close colleague and a dear, personal friend who I will miss greatly. In the midst of our sorrow, tears, and loss may, this be his legacy to us: “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith” (Hebrews 13:7).”

– Rev. Dr. Timothy Teuscher, President, Lutheran Church–Canada

In 2023, Rev. Hamp was awarded the Delta Chi (Servant of Christ) award by Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary—the seminary’s highest award. The award was given to Rev. Hamp in recognition of his “quiet theological leadership as chairman of the

Commission on Theology and Church Relations, for ongoing work in ecumenical dialogue, and for many years of adjunct teaching at the seminary.”

Rev. Hamp was also deeply involved with missions. That work included service on the board of Haiti Lutheran Mission Society (HLMS), as well as significant involvement with LCC’s daughter church in Nicaragua, the Lutheran Church Synod of Nicaragua (Iglesia Luterana Sinodo de Nicaragua – ILSN). In Nicaragua, Rev. Hamp assisted with theological training for pastors and deaconesses, as well as with short-term building projects and Vacation Bible Schools.

Rev. Hamp was preceded in death by his wife, Annettee, in 2021, as well as by his father, Arthur, in 2018. He is survived by his children Kaitlyn, Isaac (Eva), Rebekah, Noah, and Luke (Carly); by his much-loved Lori Kalbfleisch; by his mother, Helen; by his siblings Barbara (Ross Pearson), David (Susan), Lorne (Sandy) and Brian (Juanita); and by his parents-in-law and siblings-in-law in Michigan, as well many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service for Rev. Hamp will take place at Grace Lutheran in Kitchener on March 7 at 11:00 a.m. Further details on visitation times, as well a link to a live-stream, are available from Henry Walser Funeral Home here.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Rev. Hamp have been requested to be made to LCC’s “Nicaragua Pastors and Deaconesses Stipend Fund” via the funeral home or online. Those who give online are invited to call the funeral home at 519-749-8467 to inform the family of your online donation.

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