Where did you grow up, and what first got you interested in studying theology and ministry?
I grew up on a farm in Southeast, ND. My high school class had 21 kids in it. Church was a big part of our lives growing up. I taught Sunday School and helped with VBS while in high school, helped my mom and grandmas in the church kitchen, and helped them with altar duty when they hand washed the glass communion cups. One of my greatest memories is helping my grandpa repair the little Sunday School chairs and changing the metal numbers on the board outside when church time changed. After I had a family of my own, I went back to teaching Sunday School, helped with VBS and—after feeling a nudge— started doing the children’s message in our church. When our pastor left, she asked me to take over teaching confirmation classes.

What did you study as an undergraduate?
I earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks.

What led you to pursuing theological education here at Luther Seminary?
I knew ministry was an area I wanted to grow in. My synod knew I was in a discernment process, and when they received information about Luther’s new graduate certificate program, they passed it my way. One week after talking with someone in the synod office, I had filled out the application paperwork and was having my interview with Jessi at Luther!

What program are you in at Luther Seminary, and what are you hoping to do with your seminary education?
I am just finishing up two years at Luther in the graduate certificate program. My focus has been Leadership and Innovation. And there is a need for lay ministers in my area. Church health has been a focus of mine since 2020, anything from stewardship to fresh expressions. I would love to combine those things.

What is the best part of studying as a distributed learner, and what do you do when you’re not studying?
I have loved the flexibility of being a distributed learner. My husband farms corn and soybeans, so when I’m not studying, I’m most likely helping run for parts or getting someone to or from a field. We have 17 and 15 year old daughters, so I also spend quite a bit of time being an uber for them and going to their events and games.

What’s one thing people don’t know about you?
Before I came to Luther, I was a kids yoga instructor for BioGirls. It’s a wonderful organization. If you haven’t heard about them before—look them up.

Photo: Amy Boyer assists with communion during the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Phoenix, Arizona.