Pastor Glenn was born in Glendale, California, in a hospital long ago torn down. Second in a family of four, he was raised in the Lutheran church, among the “sober Danes,” but still having plenty of fun along the way. Since a child, he has loved to sing the songs of the church, and has written a few tunes himself.

In 1967, Glenn left the sunny climes of San Fernando Valley for St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota. First planning to study chemistry, he switched to philosophy and U.S. history, graduating in 1971. While considering what to do with his life, he applied his B.A. degree at the Malt-O-Meal factory in Northfield. In 1972, he began studies at the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, CA, receiving an M.A. in systematic and philosophical theology in 1974. In 1973, in Spokane, Washington, Glenn married Carol Rowberg, a fellow ‘Ole.’ In 1974, they transported themselves to New Haven, Connecticut, where Glenn studied at Yale Divinity School, receiving a divinity degree in 1976 and Carol worked at the Yale Medical School. More than once, Glenn has been heard to say, “I went to school by the sweat of my Frau.” After a year of internship in Fountain Valley, CA (Orange County), in 1977 Glenn was called and ordained to serve as a pastor of the Lutheran church.

Since serving as associate pastor of King of Glory (1977-1981), Glenn has served as pastor of Holy Trinity, Fremont, CA (1981-1991) and Peace in Colfax, WA (1991-2007), leaving for Central Lutheran, Anchorage, when Glenn was called to serve as senior pastor.

Glenn and Carol have three children: Hans, Thea and Carl. Hans, a graduate of Oberlin College, is in the midst of divinity studies at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. Thea, a graduate of Pacific Lutheran University and University of Washington School of Medicine, is in her second year of family practice residency in Billings, Montana. Carl, also a PLU graduate, is in Los Angeles, working as an actor and also for a Lutheran church. Carol, by the way, besides being wife, mother, and homemaker, has worked for years as a micro-biologist.

Glenn and Carol love their families, their children, opportunities to enjoy the arts (especially choral music), and the great outdoors (hiking, backpacking, x-country skiing).

Glenn sings tenor with the church choir and bass with Alaska Chamber Singers. He enjoys watching movies, listening to music and public radio news, reading a novel occasionally and tries to keep up with various theological journals and books. His favorite theologians are Søren Kierkegaard and Dietrich Bonhoeffer (both deceased), Walter Brueggemann and Douglas John Hall (both living). Glenn’s study/office is usually a mess.

Pastor Glenn thinks that the church is called to serve as the body of Christ in this world, to make a difference for Christ’s sake! We must not take Christ or the faith or the church for granted. When we confess that we believe in Christ Jesus, then our lives are to become shaped by the Word of God, by the cross and by the habit and commitment of worship and praise. The church is not a religious social club nor an institution for our children to be taught polite Christian etiquette. At Central Lutheran, we proclaim that Jesus is Lord! We listen to Jesus, love Jesus, follow Jesus, and endeavor to live our lives in this world as Jesus leads us.

Born and raised on a farm in Northeast Iowa, Lisa earned a B.A. in Religion and Journalism from Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa. Lisa worked as a reporter at a daily paper in Iowa for 2 years, and then made the big leap to Berkeley, California, where she received an M. Div. from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. Lisa was ordained on Reformation Sunday, 2005. Her favorite color will always be red.

Lisa came willingly to Alaska for her first call after completing a year-long internship at Amazing Grace Lutheran in Anchorage. Lisa loves Alaska. She likes trail running, hiking, camping, kayaking, skiing and visiting as many Alaskan cities and villages as possible. So far, Lisa thinks she’s visited 35 but is not exactly sure what qualifies.

Lisa believes everyone is welcome at God’s table. She’s interested in community and connectedness in the self, with others and in our relationship with God. (All God’s grace, of course!) Lisa appreciates the work of Paul Tillich, numerous feminist theologians like Rosemary Radford Ruether (who Lisa studied with in Berkeley) and newer writers on the emerging church. She also likes the Bible paraphrase by Eugene Peterson, The Message.

Lisa loves to travel (most unusual place, Kazakhstan; favorite place, Turkey). She is also a Registered Yoga Teacher with the Yoga Alliance and teaches at the Inner Dance Yoga Studio and the Anchorage YMCA. In January, 2010, Lisa announced her engagement to Erik Fiegel.

Lisa would love to have coffee with you anytime to talk about faith, life or starting a revolution.

Kathy Freeman, pictured with daughter Ashley, joined Central as office manager in October 2004. Kathy and husband James celebrated the purchase of their first home in 2009. Daughter Ashley is in high school and son Seamus attends Denali Elementary.

Fun Facts: twirls fire baton & knives

Favorite Hymn: "The Servant Song"

Jean Boecker, pictured with husband Connie, is our Financial and Membership Secretary, a post she's held for almost twenty years. Three days after her wedding she arrived in Anchorage in March, 1969. She and her husband Connie have two daughters, Yvonne, who lives in California, and Lori, who lives in Anchorage. In her free time, she enjoys baking and cross-stitching.

Luis Ochoa joins Central's staff as full time Youth Director. Luis and wife Be-gal welcomed their first child, Eduardo Luis, in 2009. Luis has completed internships with both the Alaska Native Lutheran Church and the ELCA Alaska Synod, with a focus on youth ministry.