Nebraska Synod ELCA

The Rev. Scott Alan Johnson was born and raised on a family farm near Wakefield, NE. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Classics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a Master of Divinity degree from Luther Seminary. Prior to being elected bishop of the Nebraska Synod in 2022, he served as pastor of Peace Lutheran Church in Barrett, MN, as campus pastor of the University Lutheran Center at Iowa State University in Ames, IA, as pastor of St. Petri Lutheran Church in Story City, IA, and as Director of Campus Ministries at Midland University in Fremont, NE. Scott and his wife Kristin are the proud parents of two daughters, and they live in Fremont, NE.

Greg grew up in Southeast Nebraska, farming with his Dad for ten years before heading to seminary. Greg earned a Bachelors in Social Science at Peru State College and his Master of Divinity at Gettysburg. He served as a Licensed Lay Minister in the Disciples of Christ Church at the Peru Community Church, where he also was Campus Pastor for United Ministries in Higher Education. After seminary he served as Associate Pastor at St. Paul Lutheran, Grand Island, then Redeemer Lutheran Church, Hooper. His most current call was Messiah Lutheran, Ralston. Greg and his wife, Kim live in Omaha and have two sons, two daughters-in-law and two beautiful granddaughters.

Relating to Omaha and Fremont areas, Call Process, Mobility, Congregational Care

Kristen Van Stee graduated from Roanoke College in Virginia in 2007 with majors in History and Spanish. She graduated from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia South Carolina in 2011. She was ordained September 21st, 2013 and served as the pastor of Christ’s Lutheran Church in Davenport and St. James Lutheran Church in Edgar until 2017. She served as half-time Associate Pastor at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Wayne Nebraska from 2017-2020. She has been serving as a half-time Assistant to the Bishop for Mobility and Congregational Care for Northeast Nebraska since 2017.

Call Process/Mobility, Serving the Northeast and Lewis & Clark clusters

Originally from Minnesota, Heidi Wallace attended Winona State University where she double majored in Elementary Education and Special Education with a minor in Language Arts. After teaching reading, coaching speech, and directing theatre for several years, she finally answered the call to ordained ministry. She graduated from Luther Seminary and was ordained in 2009. Most recently, she served as Pastor of Bethany Evangelical Lutheran and First Presbyterian Churches in Lyons, Nebraska. She loves her nephews and godchildren, puzzles, documentaries, decluttering, and preaching.

Relating to congregations in Southeastern Nebraska, developing & supporting full communion partnership ministries throughout the synod, Boundaries Training, Congregational Care

Leading started in third grade when Sunni became the unofficial captain of the Buttercup softball team. Thanks to wise mentors, strong role models and opportunities she has been able to utilize her leadership skills as a trainer, consultant, program developer, fund raiser, ELCA coach and preacher. Sunni worked with Camp Fire in Iowa, Alaska, Minnesota and Lincoln before joining the Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministry staff as director of programs. Most recently she served at First Lutheran Lincoln. One of her greatest joys has been walking with others as they discern God’s call and learn to use their gifts. Sunni lives in Lincoln and can often be found on the road taking photos, connecting with friends or hunting down a good Thai restaurant.

Leadership Development, Candidacy, LGBTQQIA2S+ Team, Coaching Network

Deacon Timothy serves as the Director for Mission, Innovation and Stewardship. He has been a Deacon since 2016, serving on synod staff here in Nebraska since May 2016. He has previously served on staff and in leadership roles for congregations, nonprofits, startups, and another synod, in Minnesota and Washington. Areas of interest in ministry include: leadership and stewardship; mission and outreach; innovation and experimentation; vitality and transformation; generosity and gratitude; writing; and cultivating and sharing stories of ministry in action. Timothy is available to preach, lead worship (outside of the sacraments), workshops and discussions, and meet for conversation. He resides in Fontanelle with his wife, Rev. Allison Siburg (Salem Lutheran, Fontanelle) and their two daughters.

ELCA Churchwide Relations (including the DEM Network), Giving, Innovation, Leadership, Mission, Outreach, Stewardship, Synod Assembly Planning Team

Laurel grew up in rural Nebraska where she attended Bertrand Community School. She was baptized and confirmed at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Holdrege, Nebraska. Laurel graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communications in 2022 where she majored in Advertising and Public Relations. Laurel is passionate about creating an array of content that connects people. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering, videography, and spending time with friends and family. A few of Laurel’s hobbies include golfing, biking, and collecting vinyl music. 

Synod-wide Communications, Event and Registration Support, Social Media, and General Administrative Support

Michele joined the Nebraska Synod in May 2016 as part-time admin support/receptionist. Prior to working at the Synod, she was a church secretary and an elementary school teacher. She has a BSBA from UNK and a teaching certificate from College of St. Mary’s. Michele enjoys spending time with her family, reading, genealogy, and yoga.

General Information, Office, Development

Stephanie Lusienski has served on synod staff since October 2008, and prior to that served for 5 years on the staff of her congregation, American Lutheran Church, Ashland. She and her husband, Jerry live in Ashland, and have 3 grown children. Her interests are reading, traveling, and gardening, or just about any activity that requires being outside. “I love meeting and talking with people throughout the Nebraska Synod. I am humbly honored to be a part of a faith tradition that serves others and welcomes everyone, no matter their faith, ethnicity, or gender."

Budget & Finance, Giving, and Global Mission

After arguing with God for many, many years, Kat finally entered seminary in 2005 and has recently retired from full-time ministry after 12 years. She now serves as a Transitional Minister for Immanuel in Benson. She is also a certified Spiritual Director. Kat has 3 grown sons and 4 grandchildren and has been widowed for over 6 years. She is a member of the Women Marines Association where she recently began serving as National Secretary. She loves to spend time with her family and friends and can be found watching old westerns and crocheting in her free time.

Parish Ministry Associates

Morgan holds a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Leadership from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and previously served as the Youth Coordinator at Southwood Lutheran Church in Lincoln. A Lutheran since birth, Morgan was baptized and confirmed at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wilber and was later an active participant at The UNL Lutheran Center as a host and peer minister. When she is not in the office, she can be found reading, spending time with her family, indulging in the occasional Netflix binge, or planning her next big travel adventure!

Bishop's Calendar, Rostered Management, Synod Council administration, and Candidacy administration

Amy grew up on a farm in southeast Nebraska and has an Agricultural Degree from UNL. Prior to joining the Nebraska Synod staff, Amy served for 7 years at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Wahoo. She and her husband, Marshall, are blessed with a combined family of 5 grown children. She remains an active member of Bethlehem’s Mission Team and enjoys the opportunity that this brings to help people both locally and globally. Amy’s interests include anything creative: painting, clay, crocheting, decorating cookies, and learning new ways to incorporate creativity into technology. She also enjoys the outdoors and can be found kayaking at Lake Wanahoo on summer days.

Nebraska Synod Administrative Team.

Constitutions, Governance, and Legal Concerns

Former General Counsel of the University of Nebraska - specializing in philanthropic public/private partnerships for high-impact projects. Frequently requested to conduct complex and challenging negotiations for priority projects. Thrives in an environment of elected officials, executives, and highly educated professionals with high expectations. Strategically involved in drafting and implementing large projects, combining governance/oversight with sophisticated real property, construction, and financing deliverables. Excels at identifying original solutions. Proven results in the various areas of practice.