Cohort 4 Participants (2021-2023)

Rev. Dr. Donna Childs

Tabernacle Community Baptist Church, Milwaukee

Rev. Dr. Donna Childs serves as seventh Pastor of the nearly 100-year old Tabernacle Community Baptist Church in Milwaukee, WI. Pastor Donna, born and raised in the 53206 zip code area of Milwaukee, is a life-long member of Tabernacle. Prior to serving as Pastor, she served over twenty years as a school administrator. She earned and received her B.S. in Business Administration from Marquette University in Milwaukee, a Master of Educational Leadership from Cardinal Stritch University, a Master of Divinity from Northern Theological Seminary in Lombard, IL, and she earned the Doctor of Ministry from Northern Seminary.  Her passion is empowering and transforming lives through the Word of God, pastoral care, spiritual disciplines, and community outreach. In addition to her pastoral duties, Pastor Donna serves as a member of the Mission and Spiritual Care Committee of the Advocate Health Care Board and a Chaplain for the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office. Pastor Donna’s favorite pastimes include traveling, writing, and accomplishing adventurous feats.

 

Rev. Andrew Holmes

Jerusalem Presbyterian Church, Wales

Pastor Andy Holmes is in his fourth year serving Jerusalem Presbyterian Church in Wales, WI.  He was born in Appleton but spent most of his childhood in suburban Detroit.  He received his B.A. in history at the University of Michigan, a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Doctorate in Ministry from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.  His doctoral project focused on stewardship and giving in local congregations. He has served congregations in many different settings including inner-city Pennsylvania, small-town Indiana, and suburban Wisconsin.  He loves music, movies, watching sports, and playing card games.

 

Rev. Matthew James

Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Racine

Rev. Matt James serves as Pastor of Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Racine, Wisconsin. Prior to that, Matt has served as Director of Admissions at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, and Associate Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Worcester, Massachusetts. Throughout his ministry Matt continues to find great joy in walking with God’s people as they live out their baptismal call to love God in service of our neighbor. Originally from Colorado, Matt served a year in Lutheran Volunteer Corps in Washington, DC, and is a graduate of The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia where he met his husband, Deacon John Weit, who currently serves as Executive for Worship for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

 

Rev. Aida Muñiz

Redeemer Lutheran Church, Hartford

Rev. Aida Muñiz serves as Pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Hartford, Wisconsin. Prior to that, Aida has served as Assoc. Pastor at All Peoples Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, WI and before that she served for 6 years as solo Pastor in the Caribbean Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America district of Puerto Rico, where she was ordained 10 years ago. Aida is originally from Puerto Rico, until 2016 when she received a call to serve in Milwaukee. Pastor Aida has a BA in Psychology from the University of Puerto Rico and has a Master of Divinity from The Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico. Her passion is meeting people, preaching, and community outreach.

 

E RasmussenRev. R. Ellen Rasmussen

Algoma Boulevard United Methodist Church, Oshkosh

Rev. Ellen has recently been missioned to serve as Pastor at Algoma Boulevard UMC in Oskosh after having served as the senior pastor of Brown Deer United Methodist Church in Brown Deer since 2017.  In 2021, she also began serving Redeemer Hmong UMC in Brown Deer.  She holds a Master of Divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL and is passionate about ministry with all people including work with voting rights, economic and labor justice, and interfaith work.  Learning from Marian Wright Edelman that, "Until we see all children as our children, we've got work to do," she strives to answer this call in all that she does inside and beyond the walls of the congregations.  She currently serves as the chaplain for Thoreau Elementary School and is the president of the Board of Directors for the United Methodist Children's Services, both of which are located in Milwaukee.  Her passion for children is also witnessed in her care and dedication to her grandchildren: Abby, Joseph, and Evelyn.  A favorite self-care activity is crocheting.

 

Rev. Leanne Rose

Emmanuel United Church of Christ, Dousman

Rev. Leanne Rose is an openly Queer pastor serving in rural ministry at Emmanuel United Church of Christ in Dousman as a solo pastor. She received her Master of Divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL. Leanne served with the United Methodists in various pastoral and youth ministry roles and joined the UCC in ministry leadership 5 years ago. Leanne credits her time as a nonprofit program director for her passion for urban ministry and social justice, with her primary focus being on inclusion and social equity. Leanne has lived across the country and internationally, and brings with her an expertise in multicultural communication. She started an ecumenical faith leaders group in Lake Country and is active in interfaith advocacy. Leanne was raised in Wisconsin and currently lives in Milwaukee where she enjoys the robust diversity and community with her partner and pets.

 

Rev. Marcio Sierra

Lighthouse Church, Madison

Rev. Marcio Sierra was born and raised in Honduras. He is the Senior Pastor of Lighthouse Church, a bilingual congregation in Madison. Marcio has a passion to help the Madison community prosper and for such passion, he was selected by Madison365 as one of the 48 most powerful Latinos in Wisconsin in 2014, and was awarded the recognition as the Hispanic Entrepreneur of the year in 2018. He holds a Master of Divinity, is ordained through the Apostolic Network of Global Awakening and has been commissioned by Global Spheres, Inc. Marcio serves on several boards in Madison. He and his wife Tia have two children.

 

Rev. Kim Trimboli

Forest Park Presbyterian Church, New Berlin

Rev. Kim Trimboli currently serves as the pastor of Forest Park Presbyterian Church in New Berlin. She is a graduate of Presbyterian College in South Carolina, and received her MDiv from The Methodist Theological School in Ohio. Kim served four congregations over 20 years as a Director of Christian Education and Youth Ministry before going to seminary. She has since served four congregations as an Interim Ministry specialist and consultant, before her recent move to the Milwaukee area. Kim has written curriculum for children and youth with both ecumenical and Presbyterian publishers. She is currently involved in a writing project for Education and Empowerment for women in Malawi, and serves on the board of Malawi Matters Inc., a program that addresses HIV/AIDS education as well as issues for women and girls in Malawi. She and her spouse Tony have three young adult sons.