Rev. Brant Engel was the former president of the Ephphatha Lutheran Mission Society. He brought a wealth of experience in Deaf ministry and working with Deaf people. Having relatives who served on the board of the Lutheran School for the Deaf in Detroit, Michigan, the young Pastor Engel spent many of his weekends and evenings on the grounds of the Deaf school, interacting with students and staff.
Following in what he observed at the school and in Lutheran churches around the city, Engel continued with his interests in Deaf ministry and education. He received a B.S. in education from Eastern Michigan University, a M.Ed. in education from Wayne State, and a Masters of Divinity from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana. During seminary Pastor Engel spent his year of vicarage (pastoral internship) working and learning Deaf ministry in Columbus, Ohio, and then soon after graduation he returned to Michigan as pastor at Our Savior Lutheran Church of the Deaf, as well as missionary to the Deaf community.
Before his death in May 2026, Rev. Engel also served as Administrative Pastor at Christ the King of the Deaf and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Flint, Michigan, and assisted in teaching Deaf ministry at his alma mater in Fort Wayne. He worked more than 37 years in Deaf ministry. He also enjoyed coaching high school football, softball, and track. Engel’s wife, Bonnie, still resides in Hartland, Michigan.