 Seminary Graduates +Bishop Jon V. Anderson
We are excited as this year's seminary class begin to interview and become candidates of choice for call committees. About ten days ago we met to deepen our relationships. Pr. Joyce Piper wrote about each of these gifted people in her council report. We receive more candidates than we create, so we give thanks to the congregations and synods that supported these candidates who now come to serve in our mission field.
Amy Swenson comes from Eastern North Dakota Synod and did her internship in SW MN at Prairie Star Ministries, including Shalom Hill Farm. Amy served in the YAGM program in South Africa in 2008-2009 after six years as Youth Director at a large congregation in Fargo. In Amy's words: "I find great excitement in this time of the 'unknown' - perhaps in part because it's all I've known of the church in my adult life - a church in transition."
Erik Rundquist is also native to SW MN and is happy to return to extended family after completing his MDiv at Wartburg Seminary this spring. He and his wife, Rachel, are interested in settling down for "a good number of years" in a rural community.
Kris Isder and her husband, Rich, are both native to SW MN. Kris says: "I grew up on a farm and worked for a farm management company for 23 years. I know corn and soybeans and farm drainage tile!" Kris enjoys pastoral care and visiting senior citizens. She looks forward to receiving a call to rural ministry.
Lowell Krogstad is serving at Redwood Central parish while completing his TEEM program at Wartburg Seminary. He has experience with multiple-parish development and deep understanding of the hopes and dreams of rural people. Lowell & Pr. Becca have lived and served in the Evan / Morgan area for several years with their two kids.
Kaitlyn Ferguson will soon graduate from Luther Seminary. She grew up in Crystal, MN and has experience in larger congregations. Her internship was in Henderson, NV, near Las Vegas. In her own words: "experienced in social ministry, rooted in hospitality, and passionate about intergenerational learning."
Micah Pearson grew up near Cambridge, MN, and attended college at Pacific Lutheran University-Tacoma, WA, studied in Namibia, taught high school English in Arkansas and has spent time near Kalispell, Montana and Los Angeles. His wife, Linnea, teaches jr. high math in Hopkins. They are ready to settle and serve in one community as soon as possible.
Jacqueline (Jackie) Cook is completing her studies at Wartburg Seminary. She brings a background in business office management to her ministry gifts. She states that she is "passionate about the good news of Jesus Christ, worship, teaching, and pastoral care and visitation." Jackie & Randy have been married 24 years and have 3 children.
Ann Zastrow is a graduate of Luther Seminary who did her internship in a group of 8 ELCA congregation in the Kenyon, MN area. She taught 5th graders in Tokyo for four years and has a lot of teaching experience in and outside of the church. We are pleased to receive her gifts for music, teaching and preaching and pray for a community to share her ministry for many years.
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