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Bishop Ben Quanbeck
Bishop Ben Quanbeck began serving as the Bishop to the ELCA congregations of Montana and Northern Wyoming on September 1, 2025. He passionately believes that God is at work through the Lutheran expression of the Gospel and our emphasis on the cross of Christ. One of his favorite questions is: Since you have been given the grace of God in Jesus Christ; what will you do, now that there is nothing you have to do?
Ben grew up in Shepherd, MT on an irrigated farm and ranch. He earned his undergraduate degree in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering from North Dakota State University. Ben worked for two summers at Christikon Bible Camp in the Absaroka-Beartooth Mountains of Montana. Ben’s seminary training was through Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN where he earned a Master of Divinity Degree while emphasizing much of his course work around Congregational Mission and Leadership. Ben was ordained in June of 2008. Before being elected bishop, he served congregations in Edgewood, WA (Mountain View Lutheran) and Billings, MT (King of Glory Lutheran) where he was known for his preaching, bible study leadership, pastoral care, collaborative leadership, and commitment to nurturing vibrant congregational life.
Ben is married to Jennifer, who is also a pastor, and together they have two kids. Caleb attends West High School in Billings, MT and Cora attends Ben Steele Middle School in Billings. The kids are both avid baseball/softball players which provides a lot of excitement for the whole family.
Outside of his ministry, Ben enjoys attending kids activities, hiking, reading, and helping out on the family farm. He is grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside the faithful people of the Montana synod.
Bishop Ben Quanbeck began serving as the Bishop to the ELCA congregations of Montana and Northern Wyoming on September 1, 2025. He passionately believes that God is at work through the Lutheran expression of the Gospel and our emphasis on the cross of Christ. One of his favorite questions is: Since you have been given the grace of God in Jesus Christ; what will you do, now that there is nothing you have to do?
Ben grew up in Shepherd, MT on an irrigated farm and ranch. He earned his undergraduate degree in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering from North Dakota State University. Ben worked for two summers at Christikon Bible Camp in the Absaroka-Beartooth Mountains of Montana. Ben’s seminary training was through Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN where he earned a Master of Divinity Degree while emphasizing much of his course work around Congregational Mission and Leadership. Ben was ordained in June of 2008. Before being elected bishop, he served congregations in Edgewood, WA (Mountain View Lutheran) and Billings, MT (King of Glory Lutheran) where he was known for his preaching, bible study leadership, pastoral care, collaborative leadership, and commitment to nurturing vibrant congregational life.
Ben is married to Jennifer, who is also a pastor, and together they have two kids. Caleb attends West High School in Billings, MT and Cora attends Ben Steele Middle School in Billings. The kids are both avid baseball/softball players which provides a lot of excitement for the whole family.
Outside of his ministry, Ben enjoys attending kids activities, hiking, reading, and helping out on the family farm. He is grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside the faithful people of the Montana synod.
Associate to the Bishop for Administration and Technology: Deacon Colter McCarty
Colter is a lifelong member of Bethel Lutheran in Great Falls; where he has served as the High School Youth Director for 14 years. He is available to every congregation in Montana and Northern Wyoming for tech support and consultation. He has also 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 2024 with a Masters in Leadership and Innovation for Ministry and was ordained to the roster of Word and Service on March 29, 2025.
Colter is a lifelong member of Bethel Lutheran in Great Falls; where he has served as the High School Youth Director for 14 years. He is available to every congregation in Montana and Northern Wyoming for tech support and consultation. He has also 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 2024 with a Masters in Leadership and Innovation for Ministry and was ordained to the roster of Word and Service on March 29, 2025.
Associate to the Bishop for Lay Ministry: Pastor Stacey Heggem
Stacey serves as the Associate to the Bishop for Lay Ministry. She has grown especially fond of the Lay Ministry Program because of its practical impact across Montana and the servant-hearted leaders it equips within God's church.
Raised in Havre, Stacey has always been active in church leadership—serving as an acolyte, pastoral assistant, and youth group participant in her home congregation. She went on to serve as a peer minister with Emmaus Campus Ministry and a camp counselor at Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp. After college, she spent a year in La Plata, Argentina, through the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission program, later earning her M.Div. and Mission Development certification from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. Ordained in 2013, she has pastored congregations in San Francisco and Billings and served as a synod-called community organizer in Missoula. On the side, for 10 years, she also co-owned and operated a stole-making business for clergy and a faith-based gift shop with her older sister.
Along the way, she met her husband, Lance, whose home and ranch/farm in Winifred rekindled her love for the prairies and the people of central Montana. Now based there, they’re raising two lively toddlers and cheering on her three older stepchildren in their basketball pursuits.
Stacey remains a passionate advocate for cross-cultural understanding, community cohesion, “good conflict,” and the creative vitality of small-town, rural life and ministry. In this new role, she looks forward to walking alongside leaders as they adapt faithfully to the ever-changing landscapes of our church and world.
Stacey serves as the Associate to the Bishop for Lay Ministry. She has grown especially fond of the Lay Ministry Program because of its practical impact across Montana and the servant-hearted leaders it equips within God's church.
Raised in Havre, Stacey has always been active in church leadership—serving as an acolyte, pastoral assistant, and youth group participant in her home congregation. She went on to serve as a peer minister with Emmaus Campus Ministry and a camp counselor at Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp. After college, she spent a year in La Plata, Argentina, through the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission program, later earning her M.Div. and Mission Development certification from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. Ordained in 2013, she has pastored congregations in San Francisco and Billings and served as a synod-called community organizer in Missoula. On the side, for 10 years, she also co-owned and operated a stole-making business for clergy and a faith-based gift shop with her older sister.
Along the way, she met her husband, Lance, whose home and ranch/farm in Winifred rekindled her love for the prairies and the people of central Montana. Now based there, they’re raising two lively toddlers and cheering on her three older stepchildren in their basketball pursuits.
Stacey remains a passionate advocate for cross-cultural understanding, community cohesion, “good conflict,” and the creative vitality of small-town, rural life and ministry. In this new role, she looks forward to walking alongside leaders as they adapt faithfully to the ever-changing landscapes of our church and world.
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 the Northern Rockies Institute of Theology (NRIT): Deacon Allen Sasser-Goehner
Allen Sasser-Goehner is a Deacon of the Montana Synod ELCA who serves as the Worship and Music Coordinator of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Missoula. He grew up in Columbus, MT, and earned a BA at Rocky Mountain College and an MA (Youth and Family Ministry) at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN. Allen credits his time at Christikon as a major influence in guiding him to pursue a career in the church. He has served as a Youth Director at Atonement LC Billings, House of Prayer LC Richfield (MN), Gustavus Adolphus LC Minneapolis (MN), King of Glory LC Billings, and South Canyon LC Rapid City (SD). He has called Missoula home for the past 11 years where he tries to keep up with his two boys, Luke (10) and Leo (7). Molly, his wife, serves as Pastor at Immanuel Lutheran. Allen finds much joy and renewal spending time in nature, hiking, biking, skiing, floating, or just playing at the park. He is excited to be the new NRIT director and hopes to continue the rich tradition of offering quality continuing education opportunities for leaders of the church.
Allen Sasser-Goehner is a Deacon of the Montana Synod ELCA who serves as the Worship and Music Coordinator of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Missoula. He grew up in Columbus, MT, and earned a BA at Rocky Mountain College and an MA (Youth and Family Ministry) at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN. Allen credits his time at Christikon as a major influence in guiding him to pursue a career in the church. He has served as a Youth Director at Atonement LC Billings, House of Prayer LC Richfield (MN), Gustavus Adolphus LC Minneapolis (MN), King of Glory LC Billings, and South Canyon LC Rapid City (SD). He has called Missoula home for the past 11 years where he tries to keep up with his two boys, Luke (10) and Leo (7). Molly, his wife, serves as Pastor at Immanuel Lutheran. Allen finds much joy and renewal spending time in nature, hiking, biking, skiing, floating, or just playing at the park. He is excited to be the new NRIT director and hopes to continue the rich tradition of offering quality continuing education opportunities for leaders of the church.
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]