Inside Luther News

Nicole Phillips, ’25 M.Div., has led a public life as a pageant winner, newspaper columnist, book author, and game-show contestant. As she has navigated various challenges in life, she has learned to focus on kindness toward others and on the promise that Jesus is walking alongside her, always.

Jens Gylland has been feeling a pull toward ministry since childhood and, while serving Afghanistan, became interested in chaplaincy. He is in the M.Div program at Luther Seminary and hopes to serve as both a parish pastor and military chaplain.

Stuie Lewis is from rural South Dakota and, as a distributed learner, is able to serve as a CYF minister in Volga while attending seminary. He loves how student and theological diversity at Luther has broadened his perspectives, and he has a deep appreciation for the seminary’s faculty and staff.

Ehtisham Vicky grew up in a Roman Catholic community in Pakistan and from an early age had big questions about theology. When he struggled to find a suitable job after undergraduate studies and realized this was the case for many young adults, he began a ministry that helps young people search for better education and careers.

Joyce Ngandango is a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania and is pursuing an Th.M. at Luther Seminary so she can continue to serve and teach in the church. She often visits local churches and serves in many capacities on campus, including in the community’s worship life.

Ginny Jesser grew up in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, gave her first sermon at the age of 10, and is pursuing an M.Div. so she can continue serving rural communities. As a distributed learner living in North Dakota and working full time, she says her student experience is “an exciting version of overwhelming.”

Coleman Carter grew up in the Baptist tradition and found his way to Lutheranism as an adolescent. He is a residential student who engages as much as he can with the on-campus community and the Christian public leaders from around the country who are students at the seminary.

Keturah Raabe is an M.Div. student at Luther Seminary who grew up in North Carolina and attended North Carolina Central University. She’s a distributed learner who packs as much as she can into her Minnesota trips, even visiting peers on campus when she isn’t taking any classes.

Shamani Shikwambi, Luther Seminary’s new dean of students, began his career in education as a middle school teacher in his home country of Namibia, learning firsthand how access to education changes lives for individuals and entire communities. He is a life-long Lutheran and, over the years, has come to love Minnesota’s vibrant communities, beautiful lakes, and seasonal rhythms.

Saleem Akhtar grew up in Pakistan in a faith-oriented Christian family and earned an M.Div. in the Church of Pakistan. He is currently a residential Th.M student at Luther Seminary and is grateful for the rhythms of study, worship, service, and community he experiences here on campus. He is passionate about music and plays the tabla.