Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries (ELM) has hired our first ever program director, the Rev. Jen Rude!

Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries’ work with LGBTQ rostered leaders, seminarians and ministries has expanded enormously in the past few years. The ELM Board of Directors felt the vital next step was to provide the staffing support these growing programs need.

From a solid pool of talented candidates, we found a clear choice in Jen.

Jen brings considerable program experience to this role, developed over her 8+ years at the Night Ministry and Resurrection Lutheran Church. Jen has done significant anti-oppression work, and has excellent experience working with youth and young adults. Jen has been serving as the volunteer Proclaim program chair for the past few years and currently serves on the ELM Board of Directors. Jen attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD. She received a B.A. in Religion with Gender Studies and Psychology minors. Jen earned her divinity degree from the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA. Jen was extraordinarily ordained in 2007 and received onto the ELCA Clergy Roster in 2011.

Jen’s role will be directing ELM’s three programs: Proclaim, Candidacy Accompaniment, and Ministry Engagement. Her first day will be October 1.  Jen’s position is full-time and she will be working from our Chicago office at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church of Logan Square. Jen will join Executive Director Amalia Vagts to round out the staff for Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries.

Freed and compelled by the Gospel of Jesus Christ to proclaim God’s love and seek justice for all, Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries envisions a church where all may serve God according to their callings. The mission of Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries is to expand opportunities for Lutheran LGBTQ rostered leaders and their ministries in order to proclaim God’s love and justice for all people. Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries does this work through three main programs: Candidacy Accompaniment, Ministry Engagement, and Proclaim—a professional community for Lutheran LGBTQ rostered leaders and seminarians. Learn more at www.elm.org.