International Student Bios

Rev. Andrés Roberto Albertsen is an ordained pastor in The Danish Church Abroad/ Danish Seamen’s Church in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Andrés is fluent in Danish, Spanish and English. He has visited the United States before as a tourist and studied at LSTC in Chicago for six months in 2009. He is pursuing a PhD in Systematic Theology. He likes to watch quiz shows and chat about US politics.

He is willing to give presentations about Danes in Argentina, Søren Kierkegaard, and his seminary in Argentina. He hopes to return to Argentina and work as a pastor again while teaching systematic theology at the seminary there.

Martha Ernest Ambarang’u is a MA student in Children, Youth, and Family Ministry from the Shinyanga region of Tanzania. She is from the South-East of Lake Victoria diocese of the ELCT and was recently working as a Diocesan director of women and children, Diaconia department and as Director of Right to Live with Albinism and Legal aid desk. Upon graduation, she plans to work in the women, children, and diacony department, and in albinism projects dealing with children and families.

Martha is being jointly sponsored by the ELCA Global Mission and Luther Seminary. She speaks Swahili, Nyaturu, and English and enjoys singing, watching movies, dancing, traveling and reading. She is available to speak on domestic violence, sexual abuse, gender issues, and women’s ordination.

Sedera Arinomentsoanandrianina is an MA student in Christian Ministry from the Malagasy Lutheran Church. She is from Antananarivo, Madagascar. She previously attended the University of Antananarivo and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in social work. Upon graduation, Sedera plans to return to Madagascar and be a social worker.

Sedera is being jointly sponsored by the ELCA Global Mission and Luther Seminary. She speaks Malagasy, English, and French and enjoys reading, cooking, and singing in choirs. She is available to speak with groups about the social life of the church and the ways churches can care for communities.

Rev. Bitrus Bamai is an MDiv student from the Kaduna state of Nigeria. He is an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Church Winning All. Prior to coming to Luther, Bamai was a District Secretary in charge of administrative and financial functions in the district of his home church. During his time at Luther, he hopes to gain more experience in a multicultural society and learn more about community-oriented care giving in order to support his ministry as a pastor in Nigeria.

Bamai likes listening to gospel music, building new relationships, and is available to speak on topics related to family, prayer, and youth matters. He speaks Moro’a, Hausa, and Jaba in addition to English.

Rev. Yelerubi Birgamus is an MTh student in Systematic Theology from the Adamawa region of Nigeria. She is ordained in the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN) and has recently been teaching at the LCCN Bible College Dashen and working on translating the gospel of Luke with the Luke Partnership. Upon graduation, she plans to teach in a seminary in Nigeria and work with women and youth empowerment programs.

Yelerubi is being jointly sponsored by the ELCA Global Mission and Luther Seminary. She speaks Yandang, Hausa, and English and enjoys teaching. She is available to speak about church related issues and organizations.

Linqing (Sue) Chu  comes from the Protestant Church in China. Sue came to Luther to for the M.A. degree in Congregational Community Care and has since decided to pursue the Master of Divinity degree.

Before coming to Luther Seminary, Sue had a major in Public Relations and Advertising as an undergraduate student. She looks forward to the growth in knowledge and spiritual life she will experience during her studies at Luther. For fun, Sue enjoys badminton, traveling, and photography.

When she returns to China, Sue hopes to work with the elderly, especially those who have lost their one and only child. She is available to speak about her work with and care services for the elderly.

Rev. Oretha Miller Davis is a MTH student from Liberia with a concentration in Congregational Mission and Leadership. Since the formation of a District in her home church, the Lutheran Church in Liberia, she served as the first female Dean. She is also one of five ordained female pastors in the church.  Oretha has worked as a senior pastor, counselor, and educator. She plans to continue with her pastoral ministry in leading, counseling and teaching, after completing her degree.

Oretha is being jointly sponsored by the ELCA Global Mission and Luther Seminary. She speaks Lorma and English. She likes music, praying, and dancing. She is interested in speaking about the prospects and challenges women in ministry face from an African perspective.

Etana Debel is from Ethiopia and is affiliated with the Ethiopian Evangelical Lutheran Church of Mekane Yesus. He has come to Luther Seminary to pursue a Ph.D. in Church History. He is being jointly sponsored by the ELCA Global Mission and Luther Seminary

Etana speaks Oromo, Amharic, and English and enjoys reading, teaching, participating in intercessory prayer and leading small groups. Before arriving at Luther Seminary, Etana acted as the Dean of Studies at the Nekemte Christian Education College, Dean of the Department of Theology at Mekane Yesus Seminary, and professor of church history, church administration, and stewardship. His wife and three children are with him at Luther.

Upon returning to Ethiopia, Etana plans on teaching history and church polity.

Bawi Dua is a MTH student in the History of Christianity from the Sagaing region of Myanmar. He is Baptist and was pastoring before coming to Luther. Upon graduation, he plans to continue with the pastoral ministry and hopes to become a seminary professor and a writer.

Bawi speaks Lautu, Hakha-chin, Burmese and English. He enjoys reading, writing and traveling and is interested in speaking on topics related to rural ministry or small churches.

Adane Erjabo is an MA student in Leadership and Innovation for Ministry from the SNNPR region of Ethiopia. He is a member of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY), the Lutheran church in Ethiopia. Prior to attending Luther Seminary, Adane was working as an outreach minister, coordinator of children and youth ministry, and part time instructor and librarian at the Hosana Theological Seminary. Upon graduation he hopes to return home to work with individual congregations on topics related to mission and leadership.

In addition to English, Adane speaks Amharic, and he enjoys playing basketball and guitar. He is available to speak to groups about church leadership, mission, and the love of Jesus Christ.

Tsuwainla "Aien" Jamir is from Nagaland, India and speaks the Ao dialect. She is a member of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council and was managing Council events prior to attending Luther Seminary. Aien completed her M.A. in Children, Youth, and Family Ministry in December 2016 and is now pursuing the M.Th.

Aien enjoys gardening, listening to music, and reading. She is excited to study and learn from different communities while at Luther and hopes to return to work with young people and be involved in children's ministry.

Rev. Algernon “Algie” Lewis is an MA student in Leadership and Innovation for Ministry from Antigua and Barbuda. Algie is an ordained pastor in the Moravian Church, Eastern West Indies Province, and came to Luther Seminary from parish ministry. In his free time, Algie enjoys singing and going to the gym and is available to speak to groups about a variety of topics.

Joan Moraa Machoka is an MA student in Christian Ministry from Kenya. She is Seventh-Day Adventist and served as a chaplain in the church’s girl’s school the year prior to joining Luther. Upon completion, she plans to empower youths, especially girls, physically, mentally and spiritually. She also plans to work with women on ways of parenting children.

Joan speaks Kisii, Kalenjin, Luo, Kiswahili and English. She likes praying, preaching, listening to Gospel music and going for hikes. She is available to speak on church growth and conduct a Bible study.

Enock Ariga Marindi is an M.Th student in Pastoral Theology and Ministry from Kenya, coming from the Seventh Day Adventist tradition. Before coming to Luther Seminary, he was involved in chaplaincy, counseling, preaching, and lecturing at the university level in his native Kenya. He wants to develop teamwork and learn from new colleagues at Luther while living in community with respect.  Upon graduation, Enock hopes to either continue his studies with a PhD program or return to Kenya to help train and mentor pastors.

In addition to English, Enock speaks Kiswahili and Luganda. He likes reading, preaching, and listening to gospel music. Enock is available to speak to groups about the human nature of Christ or the experience of salvation.

Rev. Kishe Dismas Mhando is a MA student from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania focusing on Leadership and Innovation for Ministry. He was working as a pastor in charge and an evangelist in the Eastern Coastal diocese of the ELCT prior to coming to Luther. Upon completion, he would like to mentor others as they develop their leadership roles and educate youth on important issues confronting the church.

Kishe is being jointly sponsored by the ELCA Global Mission and Luther Seminary. He speaks Swahili and English and likes teaching, building new relationships, reading the Bible, novels, and sports. He is a good listener and enjoys motivating and training others. He is available to speak on topics related to conflict in relationships, conflict resolution, church growth, church and state, and youth and good governance.

Rev. Nordphrey Mlangali is an MA student in Congregational Mission and Leadership from the Njombe region of Tanzania. He is an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) and has worked in the Prayers and Revival Department of the Southern ELCT diocese. After graduation, he is hoping to teach in the ELCT and colleges owned by the church.

Nordphrey is being jointly sponsored by the ELCA Global Mission and Luther Seminary. He speaks Wanji, Swahili, and English and enjoys praying, reading, and playing soccer. He is available to speak to groups about the importance of prayer.

Simeon Momanyi is an MDiv student from the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. He is originally from Nairobi, Kenya, but has spent time as a missionary in the Philippines and studying peace and conflict transformation in Norway. Simeon speaks Kisii, Kikuyu, Exegusii, Tagalog, and Norwegian in addition to English. In his free time Simeon likes listening to music, hiking, reading, and playing sports. He is available to speak to groups about bible study, children and youth ministries, and preaching.

Rev. Kaanasia Geofrey Msangi is a MA student in Children, Youth, and Family Ministry from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. She is an ordained pastor in the Eastern Coastal diocese of the ELCT and was working as a Pastor in charge at Mwenge Lutheran Parish and as a women and children coordinator before coming to Luther.

Kaanasia is being jointly sponsored by the ELCA Global Mission and Luther Seminary. She speaks Chagga, Swahili, and English. She enjoys preaching, teaching and singing and speaking about prayer.

Htu Nan is a MTH student in New Testament from the Kachin region of Myanmar. She is Baptist and was teaching at Lisu Biblical School for the past two years. After completing her studies, she plans to return to teach at the school.

Htu speaks Lisu, Burmese, and English. She enjoys listening to music and used to play football (soccer, in the U.S.).  She is interested in speaking about the beauty of different cultures.

Gloria Osemenam is a MA student from the Anambra region of Nigeria focusing in Children, Youth, and Family Ministry. She is a member of the Word Aflame Family Church and was involved in children and youth ministry and church administration prior to joining Luther. Upon completion, she plans to continue in the children and youth ministry department and hopes to start a non-profit organization that will cater to children and youths in her community.

Gloria speaks Igbo, Yoruba and English. She likes singing, reading, and building new relationships. She is available to talk on church administration, relational ministry, raising Godly children and engaging youth in Godly activities.

Norolala Randriamampiamna is a MA student in Children, Youth, and Family Ministry from Madagascar. She is Lutheran and was working as a family counselor before coming to Luther. She plans to be a writer and help youth and families in their faith formation, upon completion.

Norolala is being jointly sponsored by the ELCA Global Mission and Luther Seminary. She speaks Malagasy, French and English. She likes singing, traveling and watching movies and is available to speak on family relationships.

Rev. Venicious F. Reeves is an MA student with a concentration in Systematic Theology. He is from the Lofa County region of Liberia and is an Interdenominational ordained pastor. He was a teacher, pastor, seminar speaker, and event organizer before coming to Luther. Upon completion of his studies, he plans to continue with teaching and training church leaders, as well providing national Christian public leadership.

Venicious speaks Kisi and English. He likes watching soccer, basketball, reading, singing and listening to Gospel music. He is available to speak on doing Christian theology in an African context, African traditional religion, and preaching and teaching using the mind, concept and context of an African.

Deomie Lynn Perez Rivamonte is a MA student in Children, Youth, and Family Ministry from Quezon City, Metro Manila region of Philippines. She is a Seventh Day Adventist and has ten years of experience as an English /literature teacher and K-12 educator in various countries including Indonesia, Kenya and Norway. She also served as an editor in chief of a university publication for two years and editorial staff for about two years in a church-owned publishing company in the Philippines. Upon completion, she hopes to build a school and train other educators in building curriculum grounded in faith formation.

Lynn speaks English, Filipino, Bahasa Indonesia and Norwegian (Nynorsk). She likes singing, reading and writing Christian-themed articles and stories, storytelling, planning of church events, cooking different dishes from various countries visited, visiting galleries and museums around the city, watching historical documentaries, teaching and preparing programs, and writing curriculum for the use of teens in school and church. She is available to speak on topics related to scriptwriting for the church, non-formal education programs in churches, using family literacy in church settings, linguistics in the Bible, literature and the Bible.

Rev. Catherine Hawa Wlue is a MA student in Leadership and Innovation for Ministry from Maryland County, Liberia. She is an ordained Pentecostal pastor from the Harvest Christian Center. In addition to serving as a pastor, she worked with a non-profit organization as an administrator/logistics mentor and as a teacher. Upon completion of her studies, she plans to serve as Director of the Masterbuilder Institute, which is the leadership development and church planting arm of her church .

Catherine speaks English and likes music and teaching. She is available to speak on women in Christian ministry and the role of women in home and church.

Jin “Rebecca” Yang is a M.Th student in New Testament from the Hubei province of China. Prior to beginning her studies at Luther, Rebecca was teaching at the Zhongnan Seminary. Upon finishing her degree, she hopes to return to China and be involved with Christian social services in addition to obtaining further theological education.

Rebecca speaks Mandarin in addition to the Hubei and Yichang dialects. In her free time, she likes to cook, sing, dance, and is interested in exploring the Twin Cities. She is available to speak to groups about travel.

Ciafa Yarsiah is an MA student in Leadership and Innovation for Ministry from the Episcopal Church in Monrovia, Liberia. Prior to beginning his studies at Luther, Ciafa was a research analyst with the National Security Agency of Liberia.

Ciafa speaks Grebo in addition to English and enjoys watching movies, reading, writing, and playing sports. He is available to speak about the responsibilities of church leaders.