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Voting Council Members

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Director – Jill Norell:

I am forever indebted to God and this ministry for some incredible steps in my faith journey. Seeing how God does the same for others, has given me a deep passion for what Via de Cristo is and will continue to be… a source where God meets us where we are and guides us to become all that He created us to be.

I attended my first weekend (#70) as a very meek, quiet, private person. Through many challenges and transformations, I stand with you at this crossroads of new beginnings. Following very familiar steps, yet very new and very anointed steps forward. I didn’t select this role for myself, but in response to God’s clear direction. This ministry is His plan, and so I follow His leading and am listening for His plan … to become ours. With open arms, and intent to listen, I embrace where God is leading us.

I have served on all the teams several times and was Rectora in 2001. Then again, for our first Co-Ed weekend. I have served on the State Council, our Southern MN Committee, our Ignite Kindling Committee and now commit to moving forward with Ignite, if it be God’s will. I count it all joy! Each person that has touched my life. 

Equally important in my life is my family. Wife of Byron, parent of 4 adult children, 3 spouses and “Ama” to two more. I count that all joy, too. I am a member of Scandian Grove Lutheran Church in Norseland and am attending Bible Study Fellowship for spiritual growth. I am so thankful for all their support in my commitment to pursue God’s path and His calling.

Director Elect – LoRi Morrissey:

My Via de Cristo weekend was #575 in 2012, and I worship at People of Hope Lutheran Church in Rochester. I have served on 15 weekends since, rectoring the most recent weekend. I have served on the Southern Minnesota VdC Site-Selection subcommittee for the past few years, attended two National Lutheran Secretariat conventions, and have been a part of IGNITE’s Kindling Committee. The Kindling Committee has accomplished a lot in the last 9 months and there is a lot more to do that I am excited to assist with. 

I have experience serving other non-profits as I was on the board of directors for Rainbow School, a Christian Preschool. I also served as the board president.  Besides Via de Cristo, I enjoy spending time with my family, including helping coach Kasey & Cooper’s softball and basketball teams and cheering at my daughter’s hockey games. Regardless of being elected to the IGNITE Council, I would enjoy serving on an IGNITE subcommittee, if needed. GLY&SDI

Secretary – Deb Alt:

God works in mysterious ways.  I have always instinctively known since I was a very young child that God was there protecting me.  He has never left my side even during the lowest and most painful times in my life. He is alive.  He will always love us.  He will give us peace and He will provide for us.  AND… He will always answer!  Those are some pretty amazing promises from our Lord and Savior!

Finance Chair – Anna Fleischmann

My VDC Weekend #649 was in Madelia in 2017 and I can honestly say that it changed my life! My husband Ron participated the week before and came home responding to my “thank you” with “you’re worth it.” Since that time, I have served on teams in the Rollo Room, Palanca, and 4th Day. Ron and I have four adult children (Ben, Allie, Chloe, and Georgia) and two grandchildren (Quintin and Isabelle). We worship at Christ the King in New Ulm. I am excited to work together with the council as we Ignite southern Minnesota! God Loves You and So Do I!

Spiritual Directors – Pastor Scot McCluskey:

I made my first weekend in 1998 at Inspiration Hills Camp, Inwood, IA just outside of Canton, SD. I was invited by friends and wanted to go for a few years, but was unable to convince my spouse to also attend. Finally, in a moment of weakness she agreed. I loved the weekend, it fed my spirit and refreshed me for ministry, renewing my sense of call.

I still use a quote from one of the SD’s in the Sacraments talk. One of the men at my table asked me during a break, “How can I be sure that I have Christ in me?” My mind went blank, I was there as a candidate and not prepared to address theological questions. The next Rollo was on Holy Communion and the SD shared that the bread and wine of communion works as any food does. Food enters through our mouths and is digested by our stomach and the life giving nutrients (the vitamins, minerals, protein, etc.) are fed to our hungry cells to bring healing and growth. So too, with the body and blood of Christ when we partake of the sacrament the spiritual food is spread throughout our entire body, into every cell as our blood stream delivers Christ to feed our hungry souls. At which point the man at my table turned to me and whispered, “Why didn’t you think of that?” I couldn’t think of an answer then but if he asked me now I would say, “Because God gave that message to Pastor Steve to share with all of us.”

Since then I have served in every SD capacity on various teams in South Dakota, Nebraska, Northwest Minnesota, and now in Southern Minnesota. I work for the joy of seeing the Holy Spirit transform the hearts of God’s children and advance the cause of the Kingdom of God. Via de Cristo is life changing and world changing.

I have also worked numerous TEC weekends and love the fire in the very bones of teens when the Spirit grabs hold of their hearts. Our world desperately needs disciples for Jesus Christ to bring hope in the midst of despair, which is so rampant in our nation today. People are grasping hold of anyone and anything that will offer them a claim of salvation. But only Jesus can fulfill that promise.

I also am fully convinced that the Kingdom of God is not something we enter when we die. The Gospels tell us that the message John the Baptist brought in pointing to Christ was, “The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” That means it is here now, and is a present reality whenever and wherever Christ is alive in the hearts of God’s people.

I love being used by the Holy Spirit, and would work every weekend if I was allowed to. And if I am
accepted as part of the Ignite VDC council I would be humbled and grateful to serve.

Spiritual Director – Pastor Krista Strum:

I attended VDC weekend 515 in Lake Crystal. I live in Madelia with my girls, Katherine and Lauren since 2015 when I was called as serve pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Madelia and Truman.  I have served numerous times as both Rollo room SD and Palanca SD. I have served as Spiritual Director on Southern Committee for many years. One of my greatest joys as pastor and SD is to see how people’s lives are transformed by God’s grace and how it impacts their lives. 

Communications Chair – Tana Helleksen:

I’m the mom of three adult children and one Kitchen Aid mixer. I enjoy cooking and baking when it’s time to be indoors and kayaking and fishing when I’m outside. I come from a very large family with 4 brothers, 4 sisters-in-law and 19 nieces and nephews! I have been involved with Via De Cristo since 2007 and have served on every team at least once… I even have experience in wearing the chicken suit! It’s very hard to choose a favorite team (as you all know) so having had the opportunity to serve on each of them has been a giant blessing! It is my desire to see Ignite Via De Cristo flourish and I believe that the way to accomplish this is through a variety of forms of communication that will keep the Ignite community alive and excited!

Leadership and Development Chair – Ron Fleischmann:

I first went through VDC in Madelia, weekend #648. I have either served or sponsored a weekender every weekend since. You may know me as JustRon or as that harmonica guy. I have served as an assistant rector in the rollo room. I’m an educator by trade. My reason for running on the council is to help us simplify our weekend materials and practices while strictly adhering to the basic required framework for the weekender experience.

Operations Chair – Joe Wagner:

My wife Melissa and I live on a farm outside Lake Crystal where we raised our three children who are now grown and off on their own. I work as the Building and Grounds Supervisor for the Lake Crystal WellcomeMemorial School District. God met me where I was at when I came to weekend #429 in March 2004. The weekend changed the direction of my life. Since then, I have served on more than 25 VdC weekends in whatever capacity needed, primarily music, as I was inspired to learn to play the guitar after my weekend. I have also served on the State Council in Operations when the trailer was still being shared with the North and Metro. I will continue to serve in any area needed to promote this ministry.

Outreach Chair – Sharylyn Pioske:

I went through VdC Weekend #543 in Redwood Falls, MN in spring 2010. Since then, I have served on all 4 teams for a total of 12 different times, including being the Assistant Rectora in the Rollo Room (619). I have also been the Rectora in Kitchen (#571 & 673) and 4th Day (#663) as well as being Assistant Rectora in Kitchen (668) and Palanca (649). I have served as the Chicken 3 times and I thoroughly enjoy that role. I have also been the Printer, a Rollista and served as the hands and feet on the 4th Day team a number of times. I have been married to my wonderful husband since February, 1994 and we have 4 children, 1 son-in-law and a super adorable grandson. Our oldest daughter, Morgan, went through her VdC weekend (591) in Hutchinson in 2013. I work as a Health Unit Coordinator in the Radiology Dept at New Ulm Medical Center, which is essentially a glorified secretary. I am a member at Central Lutheran Church in rural Fairfax, MN. I have held positions as church secretary as well as council secretary and feel I would be a good fit for secretary of the Ignite VdC Council.

Site Selection Chair – Shawn Corder:

I have been a member of the 1st Presbyterian Church of Redwood Falls since 1995 and also a member of the church choir since then. I do volunteer work at Ruby’s Pantry for the past 5+ years, and I’m an Assistant Scout Master for the past 3+ years here in Redwood. We recently acquired 2 teenage brothers that are now living with us, so I’m getting acquainted with my 2 new Goliath’s, so the tally is up to 8 children. I am self-employed for 18 years doing I.T. stuff that most folks don’t understand, and really enjoy campfires with grilling dinner outside. My weekend was in 2013 and I’ve served on 8 teams, including Assistant Rector in the kitchen and Assistant Rector in the rollo room.