LPGM is an independent pan-Lutheran 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Since 1995, LPGM has been working - and walking - with global partners to provide resources and opportunities for people at the margins, especially women and girls.
Our Vision & Mission Our Board Leadership Our Staff Our History
Our Vision
Lutheran Partners in Global Ministry envisions a world where relationships transform boundaries and where all people have the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.
What does this mean?
“God doesn't need our good works, but our neighbor does.”
—paraphrase of Martin Luther’s teaching
Our vision is how the world might look when God's ruling activity (basilea, or "kingdom") is realized. God works through relationships. When we follow Jesus' example and cross human-made boundaries to build relationships with others, we transform those boundaries, and experience God's love in new and profound ways. Building cross-boundary relationships helps us realize the abundance of resources and opportunities that all people can share.
Celebrating God's Mothering Presence This Mother's Day
Too often throughout the history of the Christian church, we’ve ignored the rich array of female, maternal metaphors used in Scripture. These images aren't mere poetic devices—they reveal essential truths about God's character. We often see God's mothering presence in our world through the hands and hearts of women working to nurture not just their own families, but entire communities.
Reflections from LPGM's Annual Board Retreat
LPGM held its annual board retreat and annual meeting April 25-26, 2025, at Christ Church Lutheran in Minneapolis. As the board and sets the goals and budget of the ministry and does much of the behind-the-scenes work as well, the retreat provided much-needed time for members and staff to connect, learn, and plan.
Traveler's Fundraiser Gives "Big Boost" to Eripoto Preschool
An LPGM traveler and educator raises $15,000 for Eripoto's preschool. Funds supported educational teaching materials, toys, puzzles, computers, an outdoor classroom playground, and teacher salaries
Safe House Expansion to Protect More Students in Need
A rising need prompts Eripoto to expand its safe house.
Our Mission
Lutheran Partners in Global Ministry provides access to quality education for people at the margins–especially women and girls. We work together with global partners to listen, respond and bear witness to local needs and priorities.
What does this mean?
“I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”
—Matthew 25:35 (NRSVue)
All people are created and loved by God (Genesis 1-2). But too many have been pushed to the margins of society because of where they were born, to whom they were born, or because of who makes choices on their behalf. Education is one of the only things we can give someone that can never be taken away and, historically, women and girls have been given the least access to education.
LPGM works with churches and community-based organization partners who are native to—or have a long history of living and working in—the communities we serve. These partners speak the local language(s), know the local values and customs, and work within their own systems to create lasting change.
We listen to these partners, respond to their needs, and bear witness to God's work in their lives.
Our Values
We prioritize the Most Vulnerable.
The witness of scripture points to God’s commitment to the people who are most vulnerable in our world. We prioritize the needs of people who face extreme poverty and/or are part of communities that face injustice because of their sex, race, religion, ethnicity, or other cause of marginalization.
We Foster Human Connections.
Meaningful change happens most deeply in the context of relationships. Meeting others face to face, actively listening to one another’s stories, building long-term relationships, and fostering human connections are foundational to our shared mission.
We Empower Individuals.
“Power” is the ability to make decisions about one’s own life [and others' lives]. We work to empower people through access to quality education and training by supporting social, emotional, nutritional, and material needs.
We Strive for the Maximum Effect.
We focus on programs that produce the maximum effect (impact) for the sake of its participants. We use formal and informal evaluations and feedback loops to learn what aspects of programs work well and where they need improvement so that we can continue to do better.
We Commit for the Long Term.
We make long-term commitments to the partnerships, programs, and students we support. This may mean we engage in fewer programs at any given time, but that we’re committed to the long-term success of the participants in those programs.
We Share in Mutual Responsibility.
Humans are all created by — and in the image of — God. We are globally interconnected and have been given a New Commandment to love one another. As interconnected organizations, we have a mutual responsibility and accountability to the entire community: direct and indirect project participants, students, teachers, staff, donors, and the church at large.
Our Leadership
Dedicated to Service
Executive Committee
Kathleen Hokemeir-Seim, Board Chair
Retired Medtronic, Senior Employee Relations Specialist
Dr. L. DeAne Lagerquist, Past Chair
Retired, St. Olaf College, Harold Ditmanson Distinguished Professor of Religion
Kelly Myre, Treasurer
Starkey Hearing Technologies, International Controller
Dr. Jeff Henning-Smith, Program Chair
University of Minnesota, Lecturer in Elementary Education and Social Studies Education
Hilary Sonstegard, Secretary
Sabbatical, Financial Sector
Board of Directors
Mark Beenken
Concordia College, Advancement
Elizabeth Beenken
Elementary Education
Dan Bry
Retired, Associate Director of International Trade Compliance Technology
Heidi Busch
Savage National Karate, Owner/Director
John Evans
Tractus Asia Ltd., Managing Director
Marcie Flasch
Retired, Thrivent Financial
Kellie Johnson
RVO Health, Senior Corporate Counsel-Privacy
Ashiseta Lema
Finance Manager
Kevin Olsen
Retired, Thrivent Financial
Cheryl Philip
University of California San Fransisco, Assoc. Director of Development
Katelyn Rakotoarivelo
Center for Rural Innovation, Grants Manager
The Rev. Sara Spohr
Lake Nokomis Lutheran Church, Lead Pastor
Joanna Suresh
SICK Inc., Marketing Manager
Petra Vanderford
Fargo-Moorhead Convention and Visitors Bureau, Office Coordinator
Our Staff
International Program Manager
Laura Feile
Thrives on connection. Keen observer. Loves to laugh.
Laura brings to her role as LPGM’s International Program Manager her passion for “helping people help people.” She started her professional career as a United States Peace Corps Volunteer and served a rural farming community in Jamaica for two years. She has worked both internationally and domestically ever since, including arranging individual and group overseas trips for technical and cultural exchanges. She also has experience both in direct care in the field of mental health and in indirect care managing programs for supportive services. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, running, baking, doing yoga, traveling, and walking her dog. Laura joined LPGM in 2025.
Development Director
Bethany Krepela
Connector. Storyteller. Mission-minded. Heart for the Underdog.
As the primary contact for LPGM donors, Bethany brings her love for people, mission, and Jesus to the role. She is passionate about sharing LPGM's story, whether speaking to a crowd or an individual over a cup of coffee. A Wisconsin native and Luther College graduate, she spent two decades working in Lutheran higher education at Luther and Augsburg University, where she earned a Master's in Education. Bethany is an active member of the Association for Christian Fundraising and her church. She lives in Southwest Minneapolis with her husband and two daughters, but thanks in part to traveling with LPGM, identifies as a citizen of the world. She joined LPGM in 2020.
Sponsor Relations Coordinator (SRC) at Saron Boarding Home
Praveen Kumar
Social Worker. Researcher. Animal Lover.
With a Master's in Social Work, Praveen's studies focused on research and support of indigenous tribes in the Nilgiri Hills in India. He is excited to work with the boys at Saron Boarding Home. Praveen joined the LPGM staff in 2022.
Communications Coordinator
Shannon Mahedy
Passionate creative. Eye for detail. Equity oriented. Cultivator of joy and bright colors.
Shannon keeps LPGM’s supporters in the loop through social media, newsletters, reports, and blog posts. She has experience advocating for victim/survivors of gender-based violence, and through her work, she has gained proficiency in community outreach, social media management, and project coordination. Originally from New Jersey, Shannon came to Minnesota to attend Macalester College, and she fell in love with the Twin Cities. Shannon lives with her husband Sean and their two cats, Marvin and Mackerel, in South Minneapolis. Shannon joined LPGM in 2024.
Sponsor Relations Coordinator (SRC) at Melpattambakkam Boarding Home
Keerthiga M.
Yoga Instructor. Karate Master. Social Worker.
After teaching yoga for eight years and karate for five, Keerthiga decided to pursue her long-time dream of becoming a social worker. After earning an MSW, she joined the LPGM staff in 2022 and is working at Melpattambakkam boarding home. She loves working with children and hearing the love and care that sponsors have for these students
India Program Manager
Elangovan Mu See
Accountant. Curious Social Worker. Reader.
Elangovan has been an accounting trainer for 25 years. Managing LPGM’s programs and staff in India, Elangovan brings organizational accountability and rigor to all that we do. He joined the LPGM staff in 2006.
Sponsor Relations Coordinator (SRC) at ALC Boarding Homes in the Kalrayan Hills
Victor Prince
Child Advocate. Giving Hands. Praying Heart. Loving People and Students.
Victor serves students in his home region of India, the Kalrayan Hills. He joined LPGM in 2018. His parents encouraged him to become an engineer. Upon completing his studies he became the first engineer in his village. But then Victor’s passion to serve drew him to Social Work. The children in the boarding homes have found a special place in his heart, especially the Alathi Angels.
Executive Director
Dan Ruth
Lutheran Pastor. Bread baker. Attempting to live thoughtfully & faithfully.
Dan is passionate about helping people see where God is at work in the world. With experience in international development and nonprofit communications, Dan focuses on helping create the most meaningful outcomes or impact. He joined LPGM in 2017.
Sponsor Relations Coordinator (SRC) at Siloam Boarding Home
Aswini Subramani
Empathetic listener. Counselor. Servant Leader.
In Aswini's childhood days, she was very interested in social work. She gets positive energy by serving people. Before coming to LPGM, Aswini worked as a counselor in a girl’s care institute, and loves working with children because "children have a great soul." She joined the LPGM staff in 2022.
Our History
A Timeline of LPGM
1991
Tim Olson commits to one year of service for the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) as the supervisor of a church building project in Bangui, Central African Republic.
Tim was killed in an ambush in November.
1993
The finished structure is dedicated as St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church; Gordy & Betty Olson attend.
1995
Lutheran Partners in Global Ministry is incorporated (officially July 10) as an independent, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in Minnesota; volunteers perform all organizational work.
A Chapel at the seminary in Baboua, C.A.R. is built according to a design in Tim Olson’s journal with funds revealed through the first of many miracles.
1996
LPGM partners with the Arcot Lutheran Church (ALC) in Tamil Nadu, India, to begin sponsoring 217 students in ALC schools.
1997-1999
Gordon & Betty Olson lead a trip to Argentina on a partnership exploration (1997).
A group of nineteen youth and adults travel to India on LPGM's first global trip (1999).
2000-2003
Project Education India surpasses 1,200 sponsored students and expands to India Evangelical Lutheran Church (IELC) boarding homes.
LPGM launches linen sales from the Lebanon Home in India and completes the Mananjary Lutheran Church in Madagascar.
2004-2006
LPGM funds the building of the Orkesumet Clinic in Tanzania.
Plans begin to build a Women's Center in Bouar and a clinic to serve the Gallo region, both in the Central African Republic.
2007-2010
LPGM launches a library program in Arcot Lutheran Church schools in India (2007).
Travelers with LPGM renovate a print shop in Jerusalem (2008).
The Emmanuel Health Center in the Central African Republic (2010) with ELCA companion synod bishops, LPGM & Global Health Ministries representatives, and many other partners in attendance.
2011-2013
Village Savings & Loan program begins in the Central African Republic
In India, the English+ program begins and the ALC Community College expands with a grant from the ELCA
2014-2016
LPGM launches new partnerships with the Church of North India (CNI) and Community Cloud Forest Conservation in Guatemala.
Gordon & Betty Olson retire from day-to-day operations.
2017-2021
LPGM launches new partnerships with Mwangaza and Eripoto, both in Tanzania.
New Mission & Vision Statements are approved by the board as LPGM focuses its work and looks to the future God is opening for us.
In celebration of 25+1 years of ministry, we self-published a book: BEARING WITNESS TO HOPE, Visions of Global Partnership.
