Gather Mentors

Elizabeth Gilbert, she/her

Gather Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH

Elizabeth has led Gather Cincinnati since launching it in April 2021, and is part of First Lutheran Church in downtown Cincinnati. Elizabeth is an alumna of The Ohio State University, where she was part of the Lutheran Campus Ministry, Jacob's Porch. By day, she is a Product Data Scientist at Duo, a part of Cisco. She also enjoys urban cycling, lindy hop, and speaking German.

Emily Papke-Larson, she/they

A Community Called Grace, Bemidji, MN

Emily Papke-Larson is an ELCA pastor in the Northwoods of Minnesota whose call is to dreaming about and building up spiritual spaces that allow people to show up and just be – fully themselves. They are curious and passionate about the intersections of queer, rural, feminist and anti-capitalist identities with Christian faith. Pr. Emily joyfully serves God alongside young and young(ish) adults at Lutheran Campus Ministry of Bemidji, A Community Called Grace (church without walls and with each other) and First Lutheran Church, Bemidji.

Samantha Johnson, she/her

Gather Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs, CO

Samantha Johnson names her strengths in individualization, activation, context, and being a lifelong learner. She serves as the director of faith formation at Trinity Lutheran Church in Monument, CO and previously as a music educator. She is also a co-leader and founder of Gather: Pikes Peak. Sam is known for being a thoughtful listener in her circles, gets to know people deeply, and is a cheerleader for others as they work toward their goals. She has a wide background in outdoor ministry, faith formation for children through young adults, worship leading, and athletic and musical coaching. Her intentions as an ELCA/Gather Coach are to walk alongside people in their goal setting and creative problem solving, and being mindful of how the holy spirit is working through our relationships and actions.

Stephanie Anderson, she/her

Gather Twin Cities, Minneapolis-Saint Paul, MN

Deacon Stephanie Anderson began a new call this spring at Augustana Lutheran Church in West St. Paul, MN, after having served at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church in Mahtomedi, MN for over three years. Stephanie is a product of Lutheran ministries, having graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN; worked for four summers on staff at Voyageurs Lutheran Ministry; served as a Young Adult in Global Mission volunteer in South Africa; and worked for 6+ years on the Global Mission team at the Churchwide Office of the ELCA in Chicago. She attended seminary at The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, earning an M.A. in Ministry. In addition to congregational ministry, she directs Gather Twin Cities alongside a team of pastors and young adults in the metro area. 

Stephanie loves Minnesota and all of her 10,000 lakes. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband, Josiah, her two bonus kids, and three (!) dogs. She enjoys the boundary waters, live music, all-things church-related, playing guitar, Brandi Carlile, spending time with her family, and taking her dogs on long walks.