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Bishop Laurie Jungling has been continually surprised by God’s plan for her life. Like many people, it was not the plan that she expected.
Jungling was born and raised in Great Falls, MT and baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran church. “The biggest influence in my faith life at an early age was Sharon Weaver’s choir school,” Jungling said. “It was a big deal back then. We would put on performances, sing regularly and put on plays.”
Although she liked choir school and attended church with her family, Jungling had no thoughts of going into ordained ministry when she left home. She attended Montana State University in Bozeman, starting out as a computer science major but quickly switching to social and criminal justice. “I thought I wanted to be a spy,” she said.
After college, Jungling joined the military, hoping to go into military intelligence. She finished basic training and most of OCS before becoming injured. “This was at the time the Berlin Wall fell and they were going to cut back on troops,” Jungling said. The cutbacks provided the opportunity to leave the military so Laurie did, but not with a sense of disappointment. Instead, she was filled with questions. During her stint in the military, Jungling attended a bible study and went to chapel regularly and she’d begun feeling a sense of call to be a pastor. She couldn’t explain the feeling and decided to talk to the chaplain about this perceived sense of call. The chaplain, however, told her she couldn’t become a pastor and when she asked why not, he said it was because she was a woman.
Click here to read Laurie's full bio from the Living Lutheran
Jungling was born and raised in Great Falls, MT and baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran church. “The biggest influence in my faith life at an early age was Sharon Weaver’s choir school,” Jungling said. “It was a big deal back then. We would put on performances, sing regularly and put on plays.”
Although she liked choir school and attended church with her family, Jungling had no thoughts of going into ordained ministry when she left home. She attended Montana State University in Bozeman, starting out as a computer science major but quickly switching to social and criminal justice. “I thought I wanted to be a spy,” she said.
After college, Jungling joined the military, hoping to go into military intelligence. She finished basic training and most of OCS before becoming injured. “This was at the time the Berlin Wall fell and they were going to cut back on troops,” Jungling said. The cutbacks provided the opportunity to leave the military so Laurie did, but not with a sense of disappointment. Instead, she was filled with questions. During her stint in the military, Jungling attended a bible study and went to chapel regularly and she’d begun feeling a sense of call to be a pastor. She couldn’t explain the feeling and decided to talk to the chaplain about this perceived sense of call. The chaplain, however, told her she couldn’t become a pastor and when she asked why not, he said it was because she was a woman.
Click here to read Laurie's full bio from the Living Lutheran
Associate to the Bishop: Reverend Brenda Frelsi
Pastor Brenda grew up in the Midwest, but always wanted to live where there were more outdoor options. Montana has become that place. Brenda's priorities in ministry are to demonstrate kindness and to build positive relationships doing productive ministry which brings her and those she serves joy while we do God's work with our hands.
Brenda’s ordination verse is Galatians 5:22-23 “By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.” She believes that when we concentrate on the joy, there is more patience and a foundation of love when differences of opinion arise. In this time of creativity and innovation in exploring how we are called to be church together, Brenda brings to the synod office a passion for rural and small town ministry. Her interests include biking, running, skiing, hiking and photography and she hopes to find partners throughout the synod for these activities.
Pastor Brenda grew up in the Midwest, but always wanted to live where there were more outdoor options. Montana has become that place. Brenda's priorities in ministry are to demonstrate kindness and to build positive relationships doing productive ministry which brings her and those she serves joy while we do God's work with our hands.
Brenda’s ordination verse is Galatians 5:22-23 “By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.” She believes that when we concentrate on the joy, there is more patience and a foundation of love when differences of opinion arise. In this time of creativity and innovation in exploring how we are called to be church together, Brenda brings to the synod office a passion for rural and small town ministry. Her interests include biking, running, skiing, hiking and photography and she hopes to find partners throughout the synod for these activities.
Director of Evangelical Mission: Pastor Kay Wittman (she/hers)
Called by the Montana Synod as Intentional Interim Director for Evangelical Mission, I come to this position with over 30 years of congregational ministry experience. In each congregation, my favorite question has been “What is God up to here now and how can we listen and respond?” That is the curiosity I bring to this new chapter in my life and call. As the Montana Synod, what is God up to here now and how can we listen and respond?
After growing up in Stillwater MN, I received my BA in English and Religion from Augustana University, Sioux Falls in 1982. I entered Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN and received my Master of Divinity Degree in 1988. I served calls at St. Mark’s, Spokane, WA (1991-1997), Luther College, Decorah, IA (1997-2000), American Lutheran, Billings (2000-2008), Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Billings (2011-2018), and Trinity Lutheran in Cody, WY (2018-2024). My husband Scott and I are settling back into Billings life to be closer to family. I have three children, Annika, Renee, and Eli, all young adults (who live too far away for my liking!)
Called by the Montana Synod as Intentional Interim Director for Evangelical Mission, I come to this position with over 30 years of congregational ministry experience. In each congregation, my favorite question has been “What is God up to here now and how can we listen and respond?” That is the curiosity I bring to this new chapter in my life and call. As the Montana Synod, what is God up to here now and how can we listen and respond?
After growing up in Stillwater MN, I received my BA in English and Religion from Augustana University, Sioux Falls in 1982. I entered Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN and received my Master of Divinity Degree in 1988. I served calls at St. Mark’s, Spokane, WA (1991-1997), Luther College, Decorah, IA (1997-2000), American Lutheran, Billings (2000-2008), Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Billings (2011-2018), and Trinity Lutheran in Cody, WY (2018-2024). My husband Scott and I are settling back into Billings life to be closer to family. I have three children, Annika, Renee, and Eli, all young adults (who live too far away for my liking!)
Director of Technology and Communication: Colter McCarty
Colter is a Deacon candidate and lifelong member of Bethel Lutheran in Great Falls; where he also served as the High School Youth Director for 13 years. He is available to every congregation in Montana and Northern Wyoming for tech support and consultation. He has also recently partnered with the the Synod's theological education branch, the Northern Rockies Institute of Theology, helping to produce and develop new digital education opportunities for pastors and lay people alike. He graduated from Luther Seminary in the spring of 24 with a Masters in Leadership and Innovation for ministry.
Colter is a Deacon candidate and lifelong member of Bethel Lutheran in Great Falls; where he also served as the High School Youth Director for 13 years. He is available to every congregation in Montana and Northern Wyoming for tech support and consultation. He has also recently partnered with the the Synod's theological education branch, the Northern Rockies Institute of Theology, helping to produce and develop new digital education opportunities for pastors and lay people alike. He graduated from Luther Seminary in the spring of 24 with a Masters in Leadership and Innovation for ministry.
Director of the Northern Rockies Institute of Theology (NRIT): Jenny Kunka
Jenny is grateful for the opportunity to serve NRIT for the past 11 years. Jenny lives in Great Falls with her husband, Mike and sons, Jonah and Ethan. NRIT is the continuing education and lifelong learning ministry of the Montana Synod.
Jenny is grateful for the opportunity to serve NRIT for the past 11 years. Jenny lives in Great Falls with her husband, Mike and sons, Jonah and Ethan. NRIT is the continuing education and lifelong learning ministry of the Montana Synod.
Office Assistant: Sabrina Dunham
Transition Coach: Kendra Wilde
Pastor Kendra Wilde serves as a transition coach for the Montana Synod. In this role, she seeks to leverage the power of attentive listening and incisive questioning to foster awareness of the realities your team is facing, clarity around shared goals, and the structure to accomplish tasks. Pastor Kendra has a proven track record of turning caffeine input into productivity—the more black tea you give her, the more we will do together!
With 13 years of parish ministry experience, Pastor Kendra understands the challenges of being church leaders today. She is a graduate of Carroll College and Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, IA.
In her spare time, Pastor Kendra enjoys hiking with her dog, hanging out with her friends and family, being mom to two great kids, the reality-defying optimism that is gardening in Montana, and indulging her curiosity about people and the world through books and travel.
Contact the synod office for more information and how to get in touch with Pr. Wilde.
Pastor Kendra Wilde serves as a transition coach for the Montana Synod. In this role, she seeks to leverage the power of attentive listening and incisive questioning to foster awareness of the realities your team is facing, clarity around shared goals, and the structure to accomplish tasks. Pastor Kendra has a proven track record of turning caffeine input into productivity—the more black tea you give her, the more we will do together!
With 13 years of parish ministry experience, Pastor Kendra understands the challenges of being church leaders today. She is a graduate of Carroll College and Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, IA.
In her spare time, Pastor Kendra enjoys hiking with her dog, hanging out with her friends and family, being mom to two great kids, the reality-defying optimism that is gardening in Montana, and indulging her curiosity about people and the world through books and travel.
Contact the synod office for more information and how to get in touch with Pr. Wilde.
Montana Synod Candidacy Coordinator: Pastor Julie Long:
Julie is a retired ELCA pastor, living in Missoula. She attended seminary at PLTS and Luther through the T.E.E.M. program, after retiring from a 30-year career in Forensic Science. She served nearly 10 years at Our Savior’s in Broadus MT, first as a Synodically Authorized Minister (SAM) and then as their “called” pastor after her ordination in 2014. She is excited to learn from and accompany our synod candidates as they discern their “call” to public ministry.
[email protected]
Julie is a retired ELCA pastor, living in Missoula. She attended seminary at PLTS and Luther through the T.E.E.M. program, after retiring from a 30-year career in Forensic Science. She served nearly 10 years at Our Savior’s in Broadus MT, first as a Synodically Authorized Minister (SAM) and then as their “called” pastor after her ordination in 2014. She is excited to learn from and accompany our synod candidates as they discern their “call” to public ministry.
[email protected]