The Network’s current Board of Directors: (Front row): Tom Schwolert, Regina Goodrich, Rachel Alley; (Middle row): Kinda Makini, Sue Megrund, Kelly Sherman-Conroy; (Back row): Dan Fugate, Todd Buegler, Becky Cole.
At its fall board meeting, the ELCA Youth Ministry Network’s Board of Directors appointed two new people to fill vacant board positions. The board positions will be filled by Heather Hansen and Josh Toufar.
Heather Hansen
Heather Hansen is a pastor in the San Antonio, Texas area. Most recently, she served at MacArthur Park Lutheran Church. Heather teaches at Texas Lutheran University and has served on the Southwest Texas synod staff in the past. She has a long history in children, youth and family ministry, and has been a part of developing programs and projects for the Network in the past, including playing a key role in the Practice Discipleship Initiative.
This is actually Heather’s second time serving on the Network’s Board. She served on the board early in the history of the Network as we were growing and developing as an organization.
Josh Toufar
Josh Toufar serves as a pastor at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Josh has a long history connected to ELCA outdoor ministry, and has worked with youth ministry in congregational and as a volunteer with synod LYO groups. He has a strong commitment to the development of leadership in young adults in the church as well.
Josh is also a Packers and Yankees fan. But there is grace for that.
Heather and Josh will be filling roles being vacated by Tom Schwolert and Sue Megrund. Both Tom and Sue have served faithfully for six year, the maximum amount of time a person can serve on the board. We are grateful for Tom and Sue’s leadership.
When the board identified needs that the we hoped to fill, we wanted to find individuals with strong connections to outdoor ministry, to smaller connections, and to maintain connections with Lutheran higher education and ministry with young adults. Both Heather and Josh make these connections well for us.
Josh and Heather will begin their terms at the conclusion of the Extravaganza in Anaheim in February. We are excited to welcome them to the board!
Network is a Verb 