Who’s Who at the Gathering
There are an innumerable number of people who make the Gathering what it is. From Bible Study Leaders to Mass Event hosts, take a few minutes to get to know who will be guiding participants through their Gathering journey!
Gathering Hosts
The hosts of the 2025 LCMS Youth Gathering Mass Events will guide participants each evening at the Superdome, helping them explore and connect with the Gathering theme, ENDURE.
Rev. Brady Finnern is husband to Amy, father of Kajsa, Averil, Elias, and Xavia, track and field coach, and President of the Minnesota North District. His favorite foods are oatmeal, Mt. Dew, and French fries—sometimes in one meal. This is his sixth LCMS Youth Gathering and credits his time in Atlanta (“Called to Be”, 1998) as a major influence to becoming a pastor. His favorite Bible verse is 1 Timothy 1:15, “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance that Christ Jesus, came into the world to save sinners of whom I am foremost.”
Shelly Schwalm, DCE, MFA is the Director of the DCE (Director of Christian Education) Program and Assistant Professor of Christian Ministry at Concordia St. Paul (CSP). Shelly is also a CSP alum. She is a small town gal from Kansas who has found a home in the middle of the Twin Cities. Shelly served in college ministry at CSP for 9 years before moving into a faculty role, as well as a few years serving in a congregation. She has been a Bible study leader at the last two LCMS Youth Gatherings, as well as being part of the theological advisory team. She is also Aunt Shelly to a heap of nieces, nephews, and godchildren. Shelly loves to garden, kayak, and spend time with her community in St. Paul and beyond.
Tanner Olson is an author, poet, and speaker. He travels across the country sharing poetry and telling stories of grace and hope. His work has been described as “hopefully unique and inviting” as it blends faith, humor, and curiosity. Tanner is the author of multiple books, including Continue: Poems and Prayers of Hope (CPH) and All the Things I Say to God (Zonderkidz). He doesn’t take himself too seriously, drinks his coffee black, and cheers for the Orlando Magic. Tanner lives in Nashville, TN with his wife, son, and dog, Pancake.
Bible Study Leaders
Bible studies will take place on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, inviting participants to dive deep into the theme, ENDURE. Groups will be assigned by hotel, and youth are encouraged to bring their Bibles for a personal and interactive experience.
Rev. Stephen Heimer is serving as manager of the LCMS All Nations Ministry, supporting ministry in the United States among people of all ethnicities. Stephen and his wife, Krysia, homeschool their five children, and until their recent move to St. Louis, ministered in El Paso, Texas, at Zion Lutheran Church and Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care, and its Mexico missions, for 28 years. They love mariachi music, spicy salsa, making new friends, and walking with Jesus Christ through all of life’s adventures. Stephen has a bachelor’s degree in music education and a master’s degree in theology with an emphasis on cross-cultural church planting.
Krista Young is a “missionary kid” who was born and raised in Papua New Guinea. She received her Director of Christian Education (DCE) certification from Concordia University, St. Paul, MN, and served at churches in Missouri and North Carolina. In 2016, Krista accepted a position as an LCMS missionary to the Africa region, where she served as a volunteer and partnership coordinator in Ethiopia and then in Kenya. Krista started with LCMS Mission Advancement in October 2022 and has enjoyed meeting God’s faithful people as she travels her region on the East Coast. Krista and her husband, Joel, have two adult children.
Rev. Matt Wietfeldt serves as the Assistant Vice President of Admission and Director of Christ Academy at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW). In this role, he helps young men and women explore service in the Church and world. A graduate of CTSFW, Matt is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership at Concordia University Chicago, focusing on spiritual formation in organizational cultures and vocational leadership. He is also a speaker, teacher, and lecturer on Christian leadership and vocation. While he enjoys barbecuing and golf, Matt’s greatest joy is spending time with his wife, Jenna, and their seven children.
Deac. Sylvia Witt is a toy-cleaning, meal-making, clothes-laundering child whisperer with an educational background in music and theology. She holds graduate degrees in Vocal Performance with an emphasis in Music and Medicine (Master of Music, University of North Texas ‘07) and Theology with a certificate in Deaconess studies (Master of Theology, Concordia St. Louis ‘13). She has served as a guest speaker on topics including vocal fold health, city ministry, and prayer for audiences ranging from academia to summer camp. She is happily married to her first date, Lucas, and together they are blessed with an awesome library and five children. They reside in a shoe-shaped house in Baltimore, Maryland.
Rev. Jess Biermann earned a B.A. in Philosophy with a concentration in applied ethics from Taylor University in Upland, Indiana. Afterward, he received his M.Div. from Concordia Seminary, where he continues to study as a graduate student. Through an LCMS-U event during his senior year of college, he met his wife, Johanna. After bonding over a mutual love of Cardinals baseball and college basketball, the two were married in 2017. In 2021, Jess accepted a call to serve as pastor at Trinity Lutheran Ministries in Edwardsville, IL. Jess and Johanna have welcomed four children to the family: Adelaide, Dietrich, Genevieve, and Otto.
Rehema Kavugha is serving at Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) as the Director of Synod Relations and has been with LCEF since May 2019. Rehema has also served as the Director of Student Development at Concordia University, Nebraska, and as a Lutheran music teacher. Rehema lives in St. Louis, Missouri, but was born and raised in Houston, TX. Her parents, Bob and Anna, as well as her sister, brother-in-law, niece, and brother, still live in Houston, TX. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering at a dog shelter, playing the piano, bowling, trying new restaurants, and loves wine and coffee.
Michelle Bauman served 21 years as a Lutheran educator before joining the Lutherans for Life team in June 2019. Currently serving as the national Y4Life Director, Michelle helps youth of all ages learn about life issues and how to address them from a Gospel-motivated perspective. She also supports the building and maintenance of Y4Life Teams on high school and college campuses across the nation. When not presenting, writing, or hosting events for Y4Life, Michelle loves traveling, hiking, sampling gluten-free pastries, and spending quality time with her husband, sons, and daughter-in-love.
Rev. Dave McGinley is the Senior Pastor at The Lutheran Church of Webster Gardens, located in St. Louis, Missouri. He is married to Gretchen and has three kids: Malachi, Raelynn, and Romy. They are a family always on the move, fueled by reflecting on how God is working, coffee, and sports. Dave loves to play any sport and is always looking for a good book recommendation.
Rev. Doug Bender serves as an associate pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church and School in Macomb, Michigan. He loves spending time with his wife, Michelle, and their three young kids—Nora, Owen, and Isla. Doug grew up attending the Youth Gathering, which was a tremendous experience for personal growth in both life and faith. He enjoys playing a good board game with family and friends, savoring a Jet’s Detroit-style pizza, and watching Denver Broncos football.
Rev. Mark Rouland has served as a pastor at Zion Lutheran Church and School in Saint Charles, Missouri for 20 years. His wife, Megan, teaches preschool at Zion, and the two of them serving at the same place is one of his greatest joys in life. His oldest daughter, Evelyn, will be a freshman at Concordia Nebraska, and his youngest daughter, Celia, will be a sophomore at Lutheran High Saint Charles. He is excited to be a Bible Study Leader and hopes to share some of the joy he has found studying God's Word.
