WES ASHEIM, Master of Divinity
Wes grew up in Portland, North Dakota and attended North Dakota State University for his undergraduate degree. He met his wife Anya while both worked at Inspiration Point Christian Camp and Retreat Center, and they have now been married for over 22 years. They have two sons, one in college and one who just graduated from high school.
Over the last 17 years, Wes has served as Youth Director in Le Sueur and Maple Plain, Minnesota; as Associate Pastor in Connecticut for five years; and as Pastor of Swan Lake Lutheran Church outside of Fergus Falls, Minnesota for most of 2020.
For the last six years, Wes has been able to serve in ministry while taking seminary classes through the distance education option at LBS. Wes is currently serving as Associate Pastor at Christ Lutheran Church in Maple Plain, Minnesota.
PAUL FRASER, Master of Divinity
Paul grew up in Belle Plaine, Minnesota. When he was in fourth grade his family moved to Le Sueur, Minnesota and began attending Word of Life Lutheran Brethren Church. After graduating high school, he attended Minnesota State University–Mankato for one year before taking a year off to attend the CheckPoint program at Inspiration Point Christian Camp and Retreat Center. After CheckPoint he returned to MSU–Mankato to finish his undergraduate work, graduating with a degree in biology and a minor in geography. During this time he met his wife Alexa. They have been blessed with two sons.
Paul began attending Lutheran Brethren Seminary in the Fall of 2018. He and his wife are currently looking forward to participating in ministry opportunities to serve churches here in the United States, while keeping their eyes open to ministry opportunities as international missionaries to Asia.
MARCUS GOODMAN, Certificate of Theological Studies
Marcus was born in LeClaire, Iowa—home of Buffalo Bill and the American Pickers. Marcus moved to Washington state in 1990 and quickly fell in love with Washington and a young lady named Kim, to whom he is now married. Marcus lives in Tumwater, Washington. He and Kim have two daughters.
Marcus serves as an elder at Peace Lutheran Brethren Church in Olympia, Washington and on the Pacific Region North executive board. He enjoys walks with his wife, riding motorcycles, and fishing. Marcus and Kim have a heart for the lost and are praying their mission field would be made clear to them. Lord willing, Marcus will continue his seminary studies at LBS in the Fall of 2021.
GLENN MERTZ, Master of Theological Studies
Glenn Mertz is married to his wife Jackie and they have two adult children. The Mertzes live in Elyria, Ohio, where Glenn currently serves as a State Chaplain at Lorain Correctional in nearby Grafton. Before responding to his present calling, Glenn spent 30 years in radio and hosted a Christian talk show where he was blessed to talk with many local and national ministries and pastors. Glenn says, “It is the pastors I met and my own pastor who encouraged me to begin this journey in Seminary and I plan to continue.” Glenn is a life-long Lutheran and attends Grace Lutheran in Elyria, Ohio.
GIOVANNI RAMOS, Master of Divinity
Giovanni Ramos is married to Diana and together they raise their three girls. Giovanni received a B.A. degree in Public Relations from Montclair State University in New Jersey and served in various lay ministry settings, while also working in a corporate environment for GAF/Standard Industries in Parsippany, New Jersey for six years.
While working for GAF, Giovanni began attending Hillside Lutheran Brethren Church, where he was encouraged to go to Lutheran Brethren Seminary and was offered the church’s financial support. Before moving to Fergus Falls, Minnesota, Giovanni began taking online classes part-time through the Seminary’s distance education program while working full-time at GAF. Giovanni finished his Master of Divinity degree on campus, while serving Stavanger Lutheran Church of Fergus Falls.
GREG ROKOS, Master of Divinity
Greg Rokos was born in Edmonton, Alberta in 1984. He was baptized, grew up in the church and later went to Bible College. After completing two years at the Canadian Lutheran Bible Institute in Camrose, Alberta, he left knowing that God was calling him to a life of service in full-time ministry. Greg has worked a wide range of jobs, from running heavy equipment to working in the kitchen at the Canadian Lutheran Bible Institute.
Greg married Dena Haaland in 2005 and they have four children. They are currently living in Camrose, where Greg serves as one of the pastors at Resurrection Lutheran Brethren Church. He has a passion for working with young adults and young families, especially in smaller groups or one on one. In his spare time, he enjoys working with his hands, hunting, fishing, camping, and working on home renovations.
CLAIRE ROSE, Certificate of Theological Studies
Claire Rose was born and raised in Chatham, New Jersey. She is a Registered Nurse, having received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Messiah College in 2004, and her Master’s in Public Health with an emphasis in International Community Health from New York University in 2009. She and Dan married in 2010, and they welcomed children Ashley in March 2013 and Austin in October 2014. She and Dan have been called by the Church of the Lutheran Brethren to serve as missionaries to Chad with Lutheran Brethren International Mission.
MATT SCHWEITZER, Master of Theological Studies
Matt Schweitzer has been married to his wife Emily for nearly nine years. They have five children. Matt has served in many ministry capacities in churches since 2008, mostly in Worship Leading and Young Adult Ministries. He has spoken for and led worship gatherings at various retreats and conferences.
While in Seminary, Matt worked in a part-time capacity at Emmaus Road Church in DeWitt, Iowa in Worship and Student Ministry, using nights and weekends to complete his coursework. Matt plans on continuing at Emmaus Road in pastoral ministry. He is grateful to the students and faculty who have been an encouragement to him throughout this program, and very thankful for his church family for their constant flow of support in prayer, finances, and childcare over the past three years.