OUR MISSION

The mission of Higher Things is to make the Gifts of Christ Jesus known to youth and young adults.
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OUR HISTORY

“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God...

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OUR TEAM

Board of directors

President

Rev. Duane Bamsch
Vice President

Rev. Randy Sturzenbecher
Secretary

Rev. Joel Fritsche
Treasurer

Kurt Winrich

Rev. John Pless

Becky Clausen

Deac. Ellie Corrow

Anthony Pellegrini

Rev. Jeffery Ware

President

Rev. Duane Bamsch

Rev. Duane Bamsch is a born-and-bred Texan who enjoys living in the Sierra Nevada mountains and serving the people of God at Grace Lutheran Church in Grass Valley, CA, where he has been pastor since 2018. Pastor Bamsch earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Concordia University—Texas in 1994, and a Master of Divinity from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN, in 1998. He has served parishes in Texas and California, from suburban areas to rural congregations. His experience with Higher Things stretches back to 2005 when he was a participant, and he has served the organization in various roles—primarily in worship and catechesis—since 2008. His experience as a breakaway teacher, plenary speaker, writer of Reflections, and teacher at retreats translates well into his work with high school youth in his community. Pastor Bamsch has served on the board of Higher Things since 2015, and as vice-president since 2016. He is married to Stephanie, and has two children who help focus him on getting Jesus into the ears of youth and daring them to be Lutheran.

Vice President

Rev. Randy Sturzenbecher

Pastor Randy Sturzenbecher graduated with a Master of Divinity from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, in 2001. He loves to preach and catechize the youth with our Gospel hope and baptismal identity. Pastor Sturzenbecher has supported the youth of the South Dakota District as chair of the District Youth Board and as pastoral advisor for Black Hills Lutheran School. He has been a Higher Things conference catechist, chaplain, and plenary speaker. He is currently first vice-president of the South Dakota District and the district’s Higher Things confirmation and youth retreat coordinator. Pastor Sturzenbecher serves the saints of Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church and School, Black Hawk, SD. Pastor Sturzenbecher is married to Vonda. They have two children.

Secretary

Rev. Joel Fritsche

Rev. Joel Fritsche was born and raised in Houston, TX. He graduated from Concordia University Nebraska in 1996 with a Bachelor’s Degree in music. He graduated from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis in 2000. He has served parishes in Wyoming, Texas, and Illinois and was on staff at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. As a missionary in the Dominican Republic since 2015, Pastor Fritsche serves as a church planter and director of Concordia Seminary the Reformer, teaching courses in Greek and Hebrew. He is married to Clarion and has three boys adopted from Russia (Viktor, Sergei, and Andrei). Pastor Fritsche has served on the board of directors for Higher Things since 2007.

Treasurer

Kurt Winrich

Kurt Winrich, a CFA® charterholder, is co-CEO and CFO at WCM Investment Management in Laguna Beach, CA. Kurt’s education includes a BA from Westmont College, and a BS and MS in electrical engineering from Stanford University. His long experience and diverse background—leadership, management, financial analysis, and the physical sciences—bring multiple, varied, and valuable elements to his service on the Higher Things board. When coupled with his passion for Gospel proclamation, apologetics, and passing on the “the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” to today’s youth and young adults, Kurt is excited to be a resource for HT executives and staff, and to join with all HT board members in guiding this organization into its third decade and beyond.

Kurt and his wife, Debi, are founding board members of 1517. Today 1517 is a publishing house, a podcast network, an on-line academy, and a collection of online resources including speakers, conferences, and blogs, all aimed at declaring and defending the Good News that we are forgiven and free on account of Christ alone.

Rev. John Pless

John T. Pless was born in Hickory, NC, to John A. and Betty Pless. He is a graduate of Texas Lutheran College in Seguin, TX (B.A in Theology and Philosophy), and Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, OH (Master of Divinity). He entered the ministry of The Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod by colloquy in 1983. From 1979-1983 he was on the pastoral staff at the Chapel of the Resurrection at Valparaiso University. He served as campus pastor at University Lutheran Chapel in Minneapolis from 1983-2000 when he was called to the faculty of Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN where he serves as assistant professor of Pastoral Ministry and Missions and the director of field education. He was awarded an honorary doctorate (D.Lit.) by Concordia University- Chicago in 2018.

Becky Clausen

As a life-long Lutheran, Becky accepted the Higher Things Dare to be Lutheran challenge by pushing her chips “all in” and driving to Vegas in 2011 to attend Coram Deo with her youth and best friend. Four days of worship, education, relationship, and fun brought together with the clarity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was not going to stay in Vegas! She brought home the many resources Higher Things offers and integrated them into her everyday life. As a group leader, Becky attended yearly conferences until 2018 when HT invited her to use her event coordinator background to serve as a conference entertainment coordinator. In 2019, Becky was elected to serve as a lay member of the Higher Things board of directors. Becky fills her seat as a catechized Lutheran. She has no formal theological education, but listens and contributes with the heart of a “parent.” Considering fellow Higher Things parents like her, Becky seeks to further develop opportunities for youth to hear and ask questions about Jesus.

Deac. Ellie Corrow

Ellie lives in Ballwin, MO with her son, Andrew, three dogs, and one cat. She serves as the missionary care coordinator for the LCMS Office of International Mission, providing support to 100 missionary families worldwide. Ellie holds two MAs from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary in church history and theology, and an MA in deaconess studies from Concordia Theological Seminary. In her spare time Ellie enjoys her patio, single malt scotch, and laughing with friends—sometimes all at the same time.

Anthony Pellegrini

Anthony Pellegrini resides in Marysville, WA, where he and his wife, Kim, run a growing small business. In 2016, Anthony left a career at Boeing to focus on his business. He has spent more than 20 years in manufacturing management and operations. His education background is in manufacturing technology. His education background is in Manufacturing Technology (AA and ATA), planning and design. Anthony and his wife have eight children and two grandchildren. In his free time he likes to travel, ski, hike, ride dirt bikes, play the drums, and might even pick up a book now and then. Anthony is a member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Marysville, WA. He is his congregation’s president, youth leader, and a Sunday school teacher.

Rev. Jeffery Ware

Pastor Jeffrey W. Ware is a graduate of Concordia University, Irvine, CA (B.A.) and of Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN (M-Div.).  He served his vicarage at Living Word Lutheran Church, The Woodlands, TX, and was later called there as Assistant Pastor.  During that time he specialized in youth and young adult ministry, outreach, and service to the homebound.  He also served briefly as a deployed mission pastor for Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Houston, TX. His theological interests are primarily in the realm of “practical ministry” including catechesis, pastoral care, homiletics, and liturgics.

Pastor Ware enjoys spending time with his family outdoors, camping, hiking, and fishing.  He is also an avid home chef and home brewer.

executive team

Executive Director

Erica Sorensen
Business Executive

Rebekah Jenkins
Communications Executive

Ronda Palazzari
Development & Marketing Executive

Patrick Sturdivant
Content Executive

Rev. Harrison Goodman
Events Executive

Crysten Sanchez

Executive Director

Erica Sorensen

Erica, as the executive director of Higher Things, oversees our RSO’s operations and programs. As a life-long Lutheran with a diverse work background in business administration, secondary education, and fundraising, she is passionate about creating opportunities that engage youth and their adult leaders in worship, fellowship, and learning. She believes that youth and young adults should never be pandered to or patronized but can and should be taught the Christian faith so rigorously that they are enlivened to share that faith in love with others.

Business Executive

Rebekah Jenkins

Becky, as the Business Executive for Higher Things, uses her prior experience in banking to ensure the business side runs smoothly so that the Gospel can be boldly proclaimed. Attending HT conferences as a youth and serving as a CCV reinforced her understanding of the Gospel and Christ Crucified. Since having children of her own, she further understands the need for the organization’s mission to provide the Word and Sacraments to youth.

Communications Executive

Ronda Palazzari

Sinner and Saint. As the Communications Executive, Ronda seeks to support and clearly communicate the known Gifts of Jesus. She brings a unique vision drawing on her diverse background in business administration, and elementary education, as an author, artist, and entrepreneur. She believes in engaging with the youth and young adults in meaningful conversations through a variety of platforms and events that nurtures their faith and lead them to the Church.

Development & Marketing Executive

Patrick Sturdivant

Patrick is the development executive for Higher Things. Involved with the organization since he was a youth attendee in the early 2000s, Patrick understands the important role that Higher Things can play in instilling a love for the Gospel in a young person. As the development executive, Patrick’s goal is to cultivate the organization’s communication  and support network to continue this mission into the future.

Content Executive

Rev. Harrison Goodman

Chief of sinners. Child of God. Pastor Harrison Goodman preaches Christ crucified as a light that shines in darkness and a hope for the hopeless. As content executive, he helps to make these same gifts known online by employing the many voices and talents of our brothers and sisters in Christ. He believes that while the internet cannot replace Word and Sacrament ministry, it doesn’t need to try. He shapes HT content to point youth and young adults toward the gifts given in your sanctuary.

Events Executive

Crysten Sanchez

Crysten has served as the event executive for Higher Things since 2019, but has been blessed to work for HT in one way or another since 2010. While also working as a youth coordinator through those years, Crysten solidified her opinion on youth: They aren’t given as much credit as they deserve, and we “grown ups” can learn just as much from them as they can learn from us. That really forms her mindset while planning, refining, and nit-picking Higher Things events into perfection in order to serve those youth through life-giving worship, mind-growing teaching, and relationship-building fun.

staff

Development and Marketing Assistant

Olivia Beyreis
Assistant Video Editor

George Borghardt IV
Curriculum Editor

Lisa Goodman
Registrar

Emma Heinz
Worship Coordinator

Rev. Peter Ill
Digital Content Publisher

Karrie Jacoby
Content Executive Assistant

Emma Karjala
Bible Study Editor

Sarah Longmire
Events Executive Assistant

Tana McKenna
Catechesis Coordinator

Rev. Brett Simek
Cantor

Paul Soluek
Business Assistant

Theresa Wendorff
Communications Executive Assistant

Crystal Brutlag

Development and Marketing Assistant

Olivia Beyreis

Olivia is studying Spanish and mechanical engineering at NDSU and is working to improve her business and professional skills as our development and marketing assistant. She was introduced to HT as a youth attendee and loves spreading the gospel to her generation through her social media work with Higher Things.

Assistant Video Editor

George Borghardt IV

George is the Assistant Video Editor for Higher Things. He began his involvment in Higher Things as a youth attendee in the early 2010s. Growing up around the organization has shown George the importance of the Gospel being preached to youth and young adults, and he continues to work to make sure content is edited and produced to achieve the goal of delivering that Gospel.

Curriculum Editor

Lisa Goodman

Lisa is in her 14th year of teaching students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing and is privileged to work as Curriculum Editor for Higher Things. This involvement has given her first hand experience in sharing the tools and gospel that Higher Things so generously provides. Having the opportunity to help give Jesus to youth at any age and ability level through education is truly a blessing.

Registrar

Emma Heinz

Emma serves as the Registrar for Higher Things. Though her involvement with Higher Things has only recently begun, she has long admired the mission of Higher Things and its vital role in the spiritual formation of the youth and young adults of the church. She believes that the traditions of the church are a great gift that must be shared for generations, as through them, we see Christ crucified and His love for sinners. As the registrar for HT, Emma seeks to provide grace-filled service to all and loves the behind-the-scenes work, knowing that God works even these small things into good for those who love Him.

Worship Coordinator

Rev. Peter Ill

Pastor Peter Ill serves as the Worship Coordinator for Higher Things.  He has been involved in Higher Things events in one way or another since 2014.  He loves serving all people in Christi’s Church the means of grace that Jesus has instituted.  He also sees a great value in providing for the pastoral care of Higher Things youth, chaperones, and even the staff because all God’s people need the comfort that Jesus gives from His cross and His empty grave to them in their everyday circumstances.

Digital Content Publisher

Karrie Jacoby

Following 40 years in IT management and Disaster Recovery consulting, Karrie joined HT as a Digital Content Publisher, uploading media files and posts to the HT website. As a life-long Lutheran, Karrie enjoys working to support HT mission in providing Christ-centered worship, learning and emotional support to young people.

Content Executive Assistant

Emma Karjala

Emma is the Content Executive Assistant for Higher Things. She began her involvement with Higher Things as a youth attendee in 2014. Working with the organization in various roles has given her a deep appreciation for the work of Higher Things in sharing the word of Christ crucified with young adults everywhere. By working behind the scenes Emma is able to see Higher Things grow and bring more youth to the Gospel.

Bible Study Editor

Sarah Longmire

As a Baptized Child of God, Deaconess Sarah Longmire loves sharing Jesus’ mercy and love with her neighbors. As the Bible Study Editor for Higher Things, she gets to write and develop Gospel-centered lessons for youth to hear and learn about their Savior. Thanks be to God!

Events Executive Assistant

Tana McKenna

Tana has been privileged to serve as the logistics assistant and retreat coordinator for Higher Things since 2018. She was introduced to HT as a parent and youth leader at the Te Deum 2015 conference in Seward, NE, and has been encouraging and assisting youth, adult leaders, and pastors across the state of North Dakota (and beyond) to participate in conferences and retreats ever since. As HT’s logistics assistant, she makes the arrangements that bring the HT team together from all over the U.S. to deliver great Gospelly content to you at our summer conferences. As retreat coordinator she works behind the scenes with regional retreat hosts, making it possible for youth to be immersed in the Gospel and gain a new appreciation and understanding of their baptismal faith, all from the familiarity of their local parish.

Catechesis Coordinator

Rev. Brett Simek

Pastor Simek serves as the catechesis coordinator for Higher Things, organizing and scheduling breakaway sessions for conferences. After being convinced to be a Lutheran pastor by his Jesuit (Catholic) high school, he has been involved with HT in a number of ways including CCV, housing coordinator, and assistant chaplain before being ordained in 2015. He now serves Trinity Lutheran Church Rantoul, Hillbert, WI, and is the husband of Nicole and father of Joel, Elijah, and Jude. As a husband, father, pastor, and student, he has seen and felt the great influence of distinctively Lutheran teaching and the comfort and confidence it gives.

Cantor

Paul Soluek

Cantor Paul Soulek, a hotdish loving Minnesota native, serves at St. John Lutheran Church and School in Seward, NE, where he plays the organ, directs vocal and instrumental ensembles, and all the other things cantors usually do. He teaches courses in organ and church music at Concordia University, NE, where he also directs the Male Chorus. When not making music, Paul enjoys spending time with family and friends, undertaking home renovations, and enjoying the natural wonders of Nebraska. He is a graduate of Concordia Nebraska (bachelor’s, 2007) and Concordia Chicago (master’s, 2015).

Business Assistant

Theresa Wendorff

Theresa serves as Business Assistant and assists with the details on the business side of Higher Things. She holds a Masters of Accounting Degree and enjoys serving the church through this work, enabling the Christ-centered mission of HT to be proclaimed and for all to believe that Christ’s death and resurrection was for each and every one of us. Theresa, a lifelong Lutheran, is married to a pastor and works the day shift as a stay at home mom.

Communications Executive Assistant

Crystal Brutlag

Crystal is a storyteller who serves as the Communications Executive Assistant for Higher Things. She is a PK, has a degree in English, and has a background in document creation and communications for churches and religious non-profits. As a novelist, poet, and blogger, she believes in the power of words and social media in today’s world. Relatively new to HT, she’s excited to help strengthen the brand and use social media to share with today’s youth and youth adults that they are loved so much they have a Savior who died and rose again for them.