Alumni Stories
Hal Dragseth
President, Seraphim Communications
St. Paul, MN.
There is a great deal of noise in the culture that pumps out louder sounds and more active and eye-catching images. There is, however, a deep desire to hear and see stories that connect our heart to the heart of God.
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Hal Dragseth
President, Seraphim Communications
St. Paul, MN.
With his deep, resonant voice, broadcasting seemed the perfect career opportunity for Hal Dragseth. But as a college student he became disillusioned about the business. "I recalled a pastor's urging to consider full-time ministry in the church. I transferred from a state college to California Lutheran College. There I changed my major from communications to history with a pre-seminary focus. When I decided to go to seminary, my pastor said, 'Well, you'll want to go to the best.' I said, 'OK.'"
Dragseth entered Luther Seminary intent on becoming a pastor. Little did he know that a visit to the Department of TV/Radio and Films of the American Lutheran Church, whose studios were located on Luther Seminary's lower campus, would call him back to the communications field. "A new rock and roll radio show was just being developed and syndicated nationally and the producer needed immediate help. I started the next day and was surprised by God's direction. I knew early on that I had found my calling in communications ministry."
Dragseth worked nearly full time in media ministry while attending seminary. "The professors were very supportive and allowed me to develop a communications theology while learning the classical material. In the late 1960s cities were burning with racial riots and Vietnam war protests were raging. The world intruded on the seminary and to the credit of the professors, they let us take notice and integrate what was happening in the world into our studies. I was able to read scriptures in the light of the conflict and upheaval of that time. I still think of text and context when I do my communications work. This understanding came from my experience at Luther."
After working for the ALC for 25 years in radio, television, film and video, Dragseth and a colleague started Seraphim Communications in 1987. Working in the same building that Dragseth visited decades ago, Seraphim serves not-for-profit and church-related organizations in their communication needs, especially in electronic media.
"The technologies change at a rapid pace, and that is challenging, but paying attention to the meta-narrative of scripture and connecting it to the narratives being written in the lives of individuals and communities is very exciting and always new. We use marvelous digital technologies that increase efficiencies and effectiveness but the real power is in the underlying message. For all the power in the tools, it pales compared to the power of the Word to transform lives. There is a great deal of noise in the culture that pumps out louder sounds and more active and eye-catching images. There is, however, a deep desire to hear and see stories that connect our heart to the heart of God.
"That's what we get to do everyday and we love it."
Stephanie Coltvet
Associate Pastor
Lutheran Church of the Transfiguration
Bloomington, MN
Many people might think that seminary students are very serious and focused on what they're doing. That's true ... but at the same time they know how to have fun. They're regular people just like everybody else.
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Stephanie Coltvet
Associate Pastor
Lutheran Church of the Transfiguration
Bloomington, MN
According to Stephanie Coltvet, "many people might think that seminary students are very serious and focused on what they're doing. That's true ... but at the same time they know how to have fun. They're regular people just like everybody else."
Several years after graduating from Luther, Stephanie now serves as an Associate Pastor at Lutheran Church of the Transfiguration in Bloomington, MN. Looking back on her time living at Luther Seminary, Stephanie remembers the fun she had. "A lot of people might think that it can be a boring place, but it's not. Dorm life and knowing everyone was very exciting. Since Luther is in the Twin Cities area there are many fun things to do. We went to Twins baseball games, out dancing, and did a lot of other things."
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.
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."
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!"
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."
Kristin Rongstad
Master of Sacred Music Alum
In my interactions with fellow students, I appreciated how the community recognizes each other's gifts, whether it is music, youth ministry, social work or something else.
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Kristin Rongstad
Master of Sacred Music Alum
In my interactions with fellow students, I appreciated how the community recognizes each other's gifts, whether it is music, youth ministry, social work or something else. The Luther Seminary community is made up of people who affirm each other's calls. We value what each other has to offer. There is no competition, and no call is more important than another. We all have gifts and our own strengths. We learn together and we stick together. I formed very close relationships at Luther.
Kristine Stache
Doctor of Philosophy Student
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Kristine Stache
Doctor of Philosophy Student
"The first on-line course I took was the Pentateuch course with Dr. Richard Nysse. It was a combination class, meeting on site once a week with discussion groups working online. I chose the course because I was already working full-time and had a child at home. Finding a class to fit my schedule was difficult."
"The second course I took was completely online. It was on the Book of Matthew. In fact, I didn't see the course instructor until after the class had ended. It was also a positive experience for me, since my family size had increased and my schedule at work was getting more difficult. The online course allowed me to work in the evenings, after my children were in bed."
"This helped me accomplish what I needed to do at school, as well as meet the needs of my family."
Mary Bosell
Associate Pastor
Burlington Lutheran Church
Burlington, Wash.
Mary Bosell has been on quite a ride since she graduated from Luther Seminary. While she now serves as associate pastor at Burlington Lutheran Church in Burlington, Wash., parish ministry wasn't always the first option in Bosell's mind.
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Mary Bosell
Associate Pastor
Burlington Lutheran Church
Burlington, Wash.
Mary Bosell has been on quite a ride since she graduated from Luther Seminary. While she now serves as associate pastor at Burlington Lutheran Church in Burlington, Wash., parish ministry wasn't always the first option in Bosell's mind.
"My husband, Eric, and I started in seminary with our eyes set on the far horizon," she explained. "Mission is my first love. Taking a position in a parish in America required some mental and emotional gymnastics--I'm still doing some of those."
In 1989, Bosell went with her husband to China to teach English. They ended up living in China and Hong Kong for the next eight years. They both converted to Lutheranism while working for a Norwegian Lutheran mission in Hong Kong. "We were working for a mission and we became converts for the missionaries!" she said.
"In the process of doing interfaith dialogue for the magazine produced by the missionaries, we came to realize more clearly who we are, the roots of our own faith," Bosell explained. "Surprisingly, we found that the clearest expression of our faith is in Lutheranism. I fell in love with Lutheran theology and that's why I came to seminary."
Bosell understands mission to still be at the heart of her call. "To bring that alive in a hundred-year-old parish that's just starting to realize its missional identity in a changing context is a wonderful challenge."
Bosell's commitment to interfaith dialogue has informed her transition into parish ministry. "The first step in a dialogue is careful and compassionate listening-- that's what I'm still doing," she explained. "The next step is to be an authentic presence. That authenticity is the life-blood of your ministry."
For Bosell, growing into the needs and demands of parish ministry has been a process of discovery. "I've had to reinvent myself in all kinds of ways," she said. "I never signed on to do youth ministry, yet I have become willing to do that. This is my mission field."
Parish ministry, like missionary work, might require a person to learn a new language. "Are you willing to learn a new dialect?" she said of youth ministry. "I've decided that I will learn to speak a dialect-- youth-- in order to communicate the gospel to this segment of the population. At that point, ministry becomes less about my desires and more and more about giving them Jesus."
Bosell is in dialogue with her context as well, building relationships that have been a source of joy. "I've been working quite a bit with a Hispanic mission down the road," she said. "Through Tierra Nueva (New Earth), I came into contact with a man named Gonzalo. I invited him to our Lenten soup suppers; he's the only person of color in our church.
"After he got used to the idea, he started coming to our morning worship, even though his English is quite poor," she added. "I had a conversation with him about enrolling in English as a second language classes, but he explained that his main problem is profound hearing loss in one ear.
"Just this morning, though, I got him connected with someone in the congregation who has access to free hearing analysis and hearing aids!" Bosell exclaimed. "The first step is getting him the hearing aids; the second step is to get him those ESL classes-- the good people of this congregation will be excited about that.
"It is my privilege to share the wealth and let them participate in this story of redemption."
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.
