Please go to our Contact Us page for our contact information.
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 for Transitions and Lay Leadership: 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.
Associate to the Bishop for Practical and Emerging Ministry: Deacon Colter McCarty
Colter is a lifelong member of Bethel Lutheran in Great Falls; where he serves 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 serves 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.
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.
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]