"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, 'Your God reigns'" (Isaiah 52:7).

The ELCA Fund for Leaders made it possible for me to follow my calling as a leader in this church. However, I know that many potential leaders struggle to find a way to pay for their seminary education.

Giving back to one of the funds that supported me has been and continues to be an important part of my personal philanthropy. I would not be who I am today without the Fund for Leaders, and this fund also invested significantly in many of my classmates - people I have known and admired for over a decade!

This year is the 25th anniversary of Fund for Leaders, and I hope you will help me celebrate all we've accomplished together so far. I want to make it possible for more passionate and talented leaders to attend seminary and carry out the work and mission of this church, sharing God’s love with the world through the good news of Jesus Christ.

On August 16, Fund for Leaders will host its first-ever Day of Giving. I am working towards meeting my fundraising goal of $250.00 on that day. I hope you will join me, the Fund for Leaders alum community and the whole church in strengthening the future of the ELCA.

With your help, the ELCA Fund for Leaders can make a difference to more future church leaders, just like it made a difference to me.