Alumni Stories
Daniel Rakotojoelinandrasana
International Alum
I am from Madagascar ... from a village where the first Lutheran Norwegian missionaries made their station. Active involvement with the church gave me the desire to be a missionary and to be involved in the ministry of the church.
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Daniel Rakotojoelinandrasana
International Alum
"I am from Madagascar. I was born into a Christian family, a third or fourth Christian generation. I came from a village where the first Lutheran Norwegian missionaries made their station. Active involvement with the church gave me the desire to be a missionary and to be involved in the ministry of the church.
My passions in ministry relate the church to healing ministry, preaching and teaching. I want to see how the gospel is saving human beings fully, both in the here and now and in the hereafter, with regard to what human beings need individually and as a community.
I learned many things at Luther regarding academics, but also about Lutheran confessions and the 'Lutheran' approach to church ministry. As an international student, coming to Luther was an eye-opener to another world. Luther was different from what I was used to seeing in my country and in my previous educational world. Cultural and technological novelties were big at Luther. Trying to know and to relate to people was a tremendous enterprise.
I plan to ultimately return to Madagascar. Before that, I would like to stay a few more years either in the United States, Canada, or in a mission field."
Beverly Self
"Going to St. Paul was like going to Mecca," explains Beverly Self, describing her feelings about coming to a place so rich with Lutheran culture.
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Beverly Self
"Going to St. Paul was like going to Mecca," explains Beverly Self, describing her feelings about coming to a place so rich with Lutheran culture. To listen to Self speak of her background, her family, and her views of Lutheranism is to listen to a poet.
Considering her doctoral degree in English literature and master of arts in English composition and rhetoric, it's no wonder that Self's eloquence is equal to her passion. "We have borne out the truth," says Self. "The Lutheran church has the most pure interpretation of the gospel of any church I know."
Self is not making a hollow comparison. She was raised in a deeply religious family that includes Roman Catholics, Methodists, Nazarenes and Episcopalians. In fact, prior to entering seminary, Self was a licensed pastor with the Church of the Nazarene. "But I wasn't sure God had called me to be a pastor," she admits.
While enrolled in Ashland Theological Seminary, Ashland, Ohio, and still searching, Self, with her husband and son, started attending a Lutheran church. It was then that her path revealed itself to her. In her words, "I finally felt the call."
A deeply committed scholar, Self immersed herself in the writings of Luther. "I became a Lutheran because of Luther's articulation of doctrine. I became a 16th century Lutheran!"
"The Lutheran church is awakening to the fact that there are people who know nothing about God," explains Self. She considers that extremely exciting, as well as a challenge. "It calls you to examine your theology and how you express what evangelism means."
"When you say to people 'God loves you, just as you are' that's such an incredible, revolutionary truth. My experience is that people are dying to hear that and dying to see someone who believes that."
Dorothy Tate
Volunteer Curriculum Developer
Being a Christian means getting out of your comfort zone and stepping into God's kingdom.
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Dorothy Tate
Volunteer Curriculum Developer
The Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis has a reputation for epitomizing the worst of urban life. But in the last decade or so, it has gained similar attention for the high-caliber people who have collaborated to address the neighborhood's problems and make it a model of urban revitalization.
Luther graduate Dorothy Tate (M.A., 2004) is one such person. Twelve years ago, Tate began volunteering at Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church, located at 25th and Columbus in the Phillips neighborhood.
Like many churches, Messiah offered one traditional and one contemporary service, with distinct communities of parishioners growing up around each. Some found the lack of connection between the two troubling. So they decided to try blending the two communities by offering a class between the services.
Tate volunteered to develop curriculum for a lectionary text class. Each Sunday, participants read and discussed texts for the coming week, helping prepare them for next week's sermon. Tate supplied information about the Hebrew and Greek texts, providing further study for well read "long-time Lutherans," she said. Participants were encouraged to do further reading on the texts at home as well.
Now in its sixth year, the class has been well received. "The participants like it," Tate said. "People are excited about it." Likewise, Messiah's pastors think it's a great idea, including Tate's husband, Earnest Tate, a 1994 Luther graduate.
Tate's goal is not to present the lessons but to train others to do it. "This is what discipleship is about," she said.
Attending Luther was particularly helpful in this regard. Tate had participated in Bible studies before but lacked the confidence to take a leadership role.
"My comfort zone was not there before I had formal training. But I had the will and desire," she said.
A life-long Methodist, Tate most appreciated the systematics classes for the overview of Christian teaching and exposure to theologians they provided.
Her time at Luther also helped her address some misconceptions. One she kept hearing was that "Your works are what are required for you to make a transformation," she said. Another was an emphasis on judging. "We spent way too much time on judgment things ... and not enough time on what Jesus would want us to do."
An ethnically and economically diverse community like Phillips provides ample opportunity to do "what Jesus would want us to do." Neighborhood residents "have really special gifts," Tate said, but cannot exercise them because it is often a struggle for them to secure basic necessities like food and shelter.
Completing an M.A. degree -- including both Hebrew and Greek -- in just two years was tough, Tate said. But, as her work in the Phillips neighborhood has shown, being a Christian, she said, means getting out of your comfort zone and stepping into God's kingdom.
Dennis Larson
Minister of Worship and Music
Our Savior's Lutheran Church
Greeley, Colorado
In the beginning I was primarily interested in the music classes, but discovered that I thoroughly enjoyed the theology classes as well.
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Dennis Larson
Minister of Worship and Music
Our Savior's Lutheran Church
Greeley, Colorado
As Minister of Worship and Music for a 1,200-member congregation, Dennis Larson keeps very busy. "I am organist and choir director, as well as director of the adult handbell ensemble and worship band. I supervise those leading the children's musical groups, and am responsible for all the participants present in worship (ushering program, altar guild, banner committee, communion assistants, readers, worship leaders, etc.). I plan and prepare all elements of the worship services with the exception of the sermon."
A 1996 graduate of Luther Seminary's Master of Sacred Music Program, Dennis daily uses the skills and knowledge he gained as a student. "All of the educational objectives -- musical and theological -- are called upon for planning worship. Not only were practical musical skills honed, a solid foundation for strong theologically-based worship planning was provided. This enables me to plan services of variety and substance, well-grounded in Lutheran doctrine. In a world of wide-ranging worship styles, it is important to know WHAT should be a part of worship, and WHY. And, if anyone questions something in the service (or not in the service), I can give a good theologically-based answer. This background was very important to this congregation, and extremely instrumental in securing my present position."
Attending Luther Seminary's Ventures in Vocation weekend helped Dennis clarify his sense of calling to music ministry. "When I finally accepted God's calling to this vocation, the fine instructors and the excellent MSM program combining music and theology, Luther became the obvious choice for me."
Dennis describes the MSM program as "small but highly effective. Small class sizes offered great faculty-to-student ratios, resulting in much individualized attention. In the beginning I was primarily interested in the music classes, but discovered that I thoroughly enjoyed the theology classes as well. Having classes together with M.Div. students was highly beneficial in providing a solid theological groundwork for planning worship."
Dennis praised the faculty at both Luther Seminary and St. Olaf College. "The professors were first-rate all the way. Highly qualified in their fields, they shared their passion and zeal with their students, instilling and motivating constantly. Instructors were very approachable and well-respected; life-long friendships developed with several. Their personal faith and deep commitment was apparent and impressive; what students learn from them goes far beyond one field of study."
Ivy Borgstrom
Associate Pastor
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Brainerd, MN.
Look up "church" in the dictionary and you'll find a picture of Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church, says Pastor Ivy L. Borgstrom. Borgstrom, a 2004 Luther Seminary graduate, serves as associate pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran.
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Ivy Borgstrom
Associate Pastor
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Brainerd, MN.
Look up "church" in the dictionary and you'll find a picture of Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church, says Pastor Ivy L. Borgstrom. Borgstrom, a 2004 Luther seminary graduate, serves as associate pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran.
You can forgive Borgstrom for her exaggeration when you learn that, indeed, it seems that those things that signify "church" in our culture are happening at Bethlehem. Families spanning as many as five generations worship together. The church's food shelf, "Peggy's Pantry," is well stocked. Members are eager to bring in new people. A $1.1 million building project is underway. Bethlehem, in conjunction with Brainerd's other three ELCA churches, are starting a fifth church. A local nursing home's "volunteer of the year" is among its parishioners.
All that's going right at Bethlehem stands in contrast to the plans Borgstrom had for herself. Over the years people told the Roseville native she'd make a good pastor. But she fought it "tooth and nail," she said.
After earning a degree in communication studies from Gustavus Adolphus College in 1998, Borgstrom took a job as a youth worker at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Chicago with Lutheran Volunteer Corps. A strange thing happened while she was there. Teeth and nails were of no use as she found herself wanting to preach and lead worship. So, in 2000, she headed to Luther Seminary for a joint youth ministry/master of divinity degree.
"I may have walked into it feeling alone, but God shows up and gives what's needed-- courage," she said.
For internship, Borgstrom served at Luther Place Memorial Church in Washington, D.C., where "Vicar Ivy," as she was known there, worked with the church's mental health, substance abuse and shelter programs.
All her experience and passion pointed toward urban ministry. But upon graduation, she found herself in Brainerd, population 13,722. Again, she overcame that disinclination and threw herself into the work. One of two pastors at Bethlehem, Borgstrom is primarily the youth pastor. She shares confirmation class duties and runs the youth group. She is involved in discipleship and outreach. She also supports the "church in society" group, which runs the food pantry and participates in the ELCA "Quilts and Quarters" hunger drive. It is rewarding "to see how they're giving of themselves," she said of parishioners.
Should one need further proof of her flexibility, consider the fact that Borgstrom is taking guitar lessons in order to lead a guitar youth group. After the six participants played for a recent worship service, interest was so intense that she extended the group into the fall. "It's so exciting when kids start to see and hear the music of God's heart coming through them," she said.
While her heart was set on urban ministry, Borgstrom has learned that there are many similarities between the most and the least populated places. "In urban and rural contexts it seems like the problems are more 'in your face' than in the suburbs where everyone puts on a good front," she said. "In both urban and rural, I think people feel like they're stuck in systems that they can't get out of -- either too poor to move to a better neighborhood or don't know any different way of living."
Borgstrom has managed to do a little urban ministry while in Brainerd. One summer she took a group to Benton Harbor, Mich., with Youth Works, an organization that plans and leads youth mission trips. There, Bethlehem youth not only observed the affects of extreme poverty and racial tension, but experienced it firsthand.
"Several times through the day ... people from the community would remind us to leave before dark," she said. At times, members of her group endured racial slurs while hanging out with neighborhood children "because of the color of their skin," she said.
"It really affected the kids," she said. "Now I know why racism is wrong," they told her after the experience.
It may not fit the dictionary definition of "church," but that suits Borgstrom just fine. "I have been pleasantly surprised and pleasantly challenged," she said.
Magdi Gendi
Ph.D., International Alum
I chose to attend Luther because it had a good reputation in the world of theological studies and a large, diverse faculty body made up of well-known scholars. Also, the community was warm and welcoming. The student body was also diverse.
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Magdi Gendi
Ph.D., International Alum
My family and I moved to the United States so I could participate in the doctoral studies program in Old Testament at Luther Seminary. I chose to attend Luther because it had a good reputation in the world of theological studies and a large, diverse faculty body made up of well-known scholars. Also, the community was warm and welcoming. The student body was also diverse.
My studies focused on the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament, with a concentration on the book of Exodus. It's closely related to Egypt and I wanted to study its themes of justice, freedom and election from a Christian and Egyptian point of view.
As an international student at Luther, I valued the guidance, support and encouragement I received from my instructors. I also valued the diversity of the seminary community and the freedom to share my perspective. I learned a lot from my professors, conversations with my colleagues and the different cultures I've encountered.
Upon completing my studies at Luther, I returned to Egypt to teach Old Testament at a seminary in Cairo. I hope to teach and help my students to be open-minded and able to digest new ideas and find their own way in this multi-faceted world.
Nathan Loer
Pastor
Zion Lutheran Church
Browerville, MN
I am an identifiable friend and confidant, whom people can approach and converse with in the confidence that I offer an empathetic ear and a strong word of hope.
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Nathan Loer
Pastor
Zion Lutheran Church
Browerville, MN
"The nature of small-town ministry lies in the fact that I am the pastor 24/7," says Nathan Loer. Loer is the pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Browerville, MN.; "a small congregation in a small town of 700+ in central Minnesota." Says Nathan, "I am an identifiable friend and confidant, whom people can approach and converse with in the confidence that I offer an empathetic ear and a strong word of hope."
As the only full-time staff member at Zion, Loer delights in the variety of his work week. "The interesting thing about my job is that I never really know what I'll be doing from day to day," he says. "Of course, each week there is a sermon to write, worship to plan, a bulletin to lay out, and a confirmation lesson to prepare and teach. But my ministry is often shaped by who is on the other end of the line when the phone rings or who happens to be in the post office or at the hardware store when I walk in."
Though Loer clearly enjoys his calling, the job "is frustrating work at times, and I would surely have quit 20 times by now if I didn't feel genuinely called to listen to people's stories, to live with them in their community, to share with them in their joys and sorrows and re-cast their tales in light of the cross of Jesus Christ."
Loer explains that his call to ministry "evolved over time and emerged from continued exposure to opportunities to be a spiritual leader. Consequently, my ministry focuses on providing people with opportunities to explore their faith story and share it with others as they are comfortable." He adds, "I want people to see that they can answer the question, 'So how does God make any difference in my life?' in words that make sense to others...But most of all, I want them to feel a sense of call to be witnesses in their daily lives to the power of God-- whether they are changing diapers or tires or just making change at a concession stand."
Loer is grateful to Luther Seminary church history professor James Nestingen and professor emeritus Gerhard Forde for "teaching me the gospel of Jesus Christ as truly good news," and to systematics professor Steven Paulson for "the way he provided me with such a firm theological foundation." Loer credits professor emeritus Bill Smith for outstanding mentoring and for teaching him "the value of being a pastor;" and systematics professor Pat Keifert for giving him "tremendous confidence in my ability to both communicate and teach complex theological concepts to intelligent people like farmers, teachers, plumbers and electricians who hadn't studied theology, but thought about God often." Loer also continues to draw on the friendships he formed with his peers at seminary, commenting, "The colleagues I met there remain a source of strength and friendship."
Now removed from his days at Luther by a few years, Loer is busy offering "a word of encouragement, support and love that will be significant for the moment. They won't remember my name ... but if in the moment I am with them they feel important and loved, I've done my job."
Genelle Netland
Associate Pastor
Calvary Lutheran Church
Bemidji, MN
We need great leaders in the church, and I think that, as intimidating as seminary might sound, it's a great experience and they do a great job of preparing us ... Come and check it out and see what God might be up to in your life!
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Genelle Netland
Associate Pastor
Calvary Lutheran Church
Bemidji, MN
As a young, single woman from southern Iowa, Genelle Netland, felt she might well be leaving for another country as she took her first call to far northern Minnesota. But, putting geography and winter worries aside, Netland boldly moved north to discover that her new home of Bemidji is "actually, quite a hub!" Today Netland is happily married and genuinely enjoys both her farm life and the vibrant congregation she helps lead. "But," she adds, "when it snowed on Easter, I have to admit that I cried!"
Netland is associate pastor at Calvary Lutheran, a growing congregation in Bemidji, where nearly 500 people gather to worship every week at one of three worship services. Netland describes her work: "I help do all the ordained word and sacrament ministry; I lead worship, presiding at communion, baptisms and funerals." She adds, "As associate pastor I also do relational ministry using a Stephens Ministry program called "ChristCare," which I helped to vision and implement. It gathers people around either interests or needs, coupling Bible study and fellowship." Netland also organizes Calvary's confirmation program, teaches adult Bible studies and serves as a resource for the Sunday school and after school programs at Calvary.
Netland's personal call to ministry is marked by love and hope. "I enjoy being a beacon in the midst of the chaos of life, coming to share God's story, to help people hear and see what they have in common with it. But my love for the people's energy and stories also drives me," she says. When she first heard her call to seminary she was studying speech therapy, driven by the opportunity to give people hope that after a stroke they could regain their speech. "There is a similar and more powerful hope we deliver in faith, that even after a tragedy you can eventually thank and praise God again," she says.
The variety of class offerings and faculty voices at Luther Seminary pleased Netland. "I loved and appreciated the variety of professors, expertise and opinions there." Bible classes were especially helpful, as she discovered herself "using the insight and resources [gained at Luther] in my first call again and again."
The contextual education program at Luther "got us out in congregations to experience ministry done different ways," she says, adding, "All that hands-on experience shaped me and gave me confidence to do that in another place." Of Luther's faculty, Netland comments, "I would say that systematics professor Steven Paulson was very influential in pulling everything together for me, and I tried to take as many classes from New Testament professor Craig Koester as I could. He was awesome."
Pastor Netland invites any who hear the call to Luther Seminary, "We need great leaders in the church, and I think that, as intimidating as seminary might sound, it's a great experience and they do a great job of preparing us ... Come and check it out and see what God might be up to in your life!"
Masresha Chufa
There is such intense scrutiny of Islam in the United States these days that one might think Americans were unaware of its practice in this country until the Sept. 11 attacks.
But for Masresha Chufa, '05, the co-existence of Islam and Christianity was not only the focus of his education at Luther Seminary, but a fact of life in his native Ethiopia for centuries. Relations between the two religions are peaceful, he said, a status he hopes his training will help maintain.
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Masresha Chufa
There is such intense scrutiny of Islam in the United States these days that one might think Americans were unaware of its practice in this country until the Sept. 11 attacks.
But for Masresha Chufa, '05, the co-existence of Islam and Christianity was not only the focus of his education at Luther Seminary, but a fact of life in his native Ethiopia for centuries. Relations between the two religions are peaceful, he said, a status he hopes his training will help maintain.
Chufa graduated with a Master of Arts degree in Islamic Studies. An ordained pastor in the ELCA's companion synod in Ethiopia, the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus, Chufa is now sharing what he learned with students at the Mekane Yesus Theological Seminary in Addis Ababa. There are about 150 students enrolled in the seminary, according to the ELCA. Chufa serves as the first faculty member in the seminary's new Islamic program.
Before enrolling in Luther's Islamic Studies program, Chufa had only passing knowledge of Islam. He needed to learn the basics: "What is Islam, what is the Qur'an?" he said. While some might question the value of studying another religion, Chufa does not. "Education gives you insight and nformation," he said. "Knowing those stories help you," he said.
In addition to learning about the religion and its history, Chufa learned about what Islam and Christianity have in common. Both religions, for instance, teach the human need for God and for truth. Both are evangelizing religions. Both embrace Abraham, Moses and Jesus, whom Muslims honor as prophets.
Such information provides common ground from which to discuss the crucial differences. For instance, Christianity is based in historic events, whereas Islam is based in revelation. While Islam teaches respect for Christians and Jews as "people of the book," they believe those religions went astray by rejecting Mohammed as a prophet and the Qur'an as God's "final revelation," Chufa said. In Islam, he continued, each person is responsible for his/her own sins. "To say to a Muslim, 'Jesus died for your sins' is nonsense," he said. Islam teaches that God has a throne. In the Incarnation, that throne comes to earth in the person of Jesus, allowing believers to approach God directly, Chufa said. Only in Christianity did God come to find us, he said.
Upon graduating Chufa headed back to Ethiopia. Awaiting his return were his wife, Asther, a typist for the Ministry of Education, and his two young sons, Zecharius and Ammanuel. His synod was no doubt eager for his return, as well. According to ELCA statistics, the EECMY grows about 15 percent a year, the downside of which is a shortage of trained pastors. Some of that growth comes from Muslim converts, which Chufa attributes primarily to miracles. One involved an Ethiopian Muslim theologian dying of AIDS. The man had a vision of Jesus, was healed of his illness and became a Christian. "When Muslims find Jesus, they're impassioned," Chufa said.
Though not a former Muslim, Chufa's conversion was almost as dramatic. He was born into an Ethiopian Orthodox family, who hoped he would become a priest in that tradition. But by his late teens, Chufa was an atheist and devout Communist. Going to church once to participate in a debate, he challenged Christians, "Show me God." What happened next, he said, was no less than miraculous. "I saw God ... I couldn't stop laughing, rejoicing," he said. The once restless, insomniac young man was changed. He slept better, he felt peaceful. "The rest I received from Jesus was real rest," he said. People could see the difference in him, he said. "Encountering Jesus separates us from the darkness," he said. "It's something that freed me from many things." Once liberated, he said, "We can't keep Christ's love within us."
Shaun Halland
Music Leader & Choir Director
Edina Community Lutheran Church
Edina, MN
"I grew up in a congregation that fostered young musicians and have always felt 'right' in that setting," Halland said. His undergraduate degree qualified him for many church music positions, "But I felt ... I needed a stronger foundation of education before I would feel comfortable serving a congregation."
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Shaun Halland
Music Leader & Choir Director
Edina Community Lutheran Church
Edina, MN
Halland spent two years as a high school music teacher when he felt called to make music in church.
"I grew up in a congregation that fostered young musicians and have always felt 'right' in that setting," he said. His undergraduate degree qualified him for many church music positions, "But I felt ... I needed a stronger foundation of education before I would feel comfortable serving a congregation."
His search for a graduate program began and ended with Luther. "The combination of the theological grounding at Luther Seminary and the practical musical education at St. Olaf proved to be a great draw. The opportunity to work with teachers who are devoted to the idea of educated church musicians was extremely enticing. So it had to be Luther!" he said.
Initially, it was the opportunity to study with St. Olaf faculty that attracted him to the program. But from the time of Halland's audition, Luther's Paul Westermeyer has made an impression on him. In addition to his "great care and concern for each student in the program," Halland said, "Dr. Westermeyer brings an incredible wealth of knowledge and professionalism to the program at Luther." The entire MSM faculty is "second to none ... when it comes to the development of church musicians," Halland said.
While he misses the classroom, "much of the church musician's work is education, so in many ways I have been able to combine both passions in my work," he said. He hopes to have more teaching opportunities in the future.
For now, the church is his focus. His goal for his work is to "ensure that each member feels ... they can participate in worship," he said. "If I enable 'user-friendly' worship that engages each member, I feel as though I am doing what I was called to do."
