Where did you grow up, and what first got you interested in studying theology and ministry?
I grew up in Ames, Iowa, and attended a Christian Reformed church throughout my childhood. I first became interested in studying theology when I attended Waldorf University and took an Introduction to the Bible course. After attending public schools throughout my childhood, I was fascinated to discover that the Bible and theology were fields I could study academically. I loved learning how to engage with and understand the Bible from a theological perspective, and that experience sparked my interest in studying theology and ministry.

What did you study as an undergraduate, and where did you go?
I began my college education at Waldorf University in Forest City, Iowa, when it was still a junior college. In all honesty, I initially went there to play football. I received my Associate of Arts degree from Waldorf and then transferred to Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Illinois. At Trinity, I earned my Bachelor of Arts with a dual major in Theology and Church & Ministry Leadership, along with a minor in Sociology.

What led you to pursuing theological education here at Luther Seminary?
It started with lunch with Pastor Glenn from Mount Olive Lutheran Church. We talked about my previous ministry experience and my current volunteer work at Mount Olive. As we were finishing our meal, he said, “You should go to seminary.” I immediately declined, but he persisted. He asked me, “If you could do anything in ministry again, what would you like to do?” I told him that I had considered chaplaincy. I left that lunch with the phone number for Nancy—a chaplain in our congregation. I texted her, and we met for coffee. Nancy and I met several more times, and she encouraged me to attend an informational meeting about ELCA seminaries around the country. I attended the meeting, began seriously considering theological education, and ultimately decided to apply to Luther Seminary.

What are you hoping to do with your seminary education?
I am in the M.Div. program at Luther Seminary. I began my education thinking I would want to pursue only chaplaincy, but my experience at Luther has opened me to the possibility of returning to parish ministry as well. I am still discerning exactly where I am being called, and I appreciate that my seminary education is giving me the opportunity to explore both paths.

What has your student experience been like?
I am a distributed learner, and I love the flexibility the program provides. It allows me to maintain a healthy balance between work, school, family, church, and community life. I work full time and remain active as a volunteer in both my church and my community. I would not be able to maintain those relationships and commitments to the same extent if I were a residential student. There are times when I miss the opportunities for relationships and community that residential learning can provide. However, through RFS intensives, online forums, video chats, and other opportunities to connect, I have still been able to build some wonderful relationships with my peers.

Luther Seminary has already given me, and will continue to give me, the tools to live more fully into both my professional vocation and my faith calling. My time at Luther has changed my life and expanded my worldview in countless ways through the readings, coursework, classroom discussions, and instruction of my professors. I am grateful for the knowledge, experience, and perspectives of the faculty, staff, and peers I have encountered. Attending Luther is truly a milestone in my life, and I know I will look back on this season as a transformational time.

What’s your favorite book?
My current favorite book is Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. My favorite author is S. A. Cosby, and my guilty-pleasure reading is the Jack Reacher series by Lee Child.