The Rev. Heather Bachelder

she/her

Lutheran Disaster Response Carolinas—Administration

Pastor Heather Bachelder provides administrative support to LDR Carolinas. A native North Carolinian and a lifelong Lutheran, she currently serves half-time as Priest-in-Charge at Saint Barnabas Episcopal Church in Greensboro. She is a graduate of Wake Forest University School of Divinity and completed her “Lutheran Year” at LTSS. She serves on the NC Synod Mission Fund Board and Engage the Bible team. She lives in Winston-Salem with her spouse, Aaron, and their two perfectly ridiculous dogs, Fred and Xenakis.

Lexi Barnhill

she/her

Events Coordinator & Special Projects Administrator

Lexi manages logistics for all synod events, including hosting, hospitality, registration, setup, and evaluation. She creates and manages forms and often serves as the tech host for Zoom events. Lexi graduated from Duke Divinity with her Master of Divinity in 2019 and began her ministerial journey working in camp and retreat ministry. Lexi enjoys painting, board games, and singing, and is the proud parent of two handsome cats—Remus and Eugene.

Stephanie Burke

she/her

Regional Gift Planner

As the ELCA Foundation’s Regional Gift Planner for the Carolinas, Stephanie meets with congregations and individuals from across North and South Carolina for two purposes: to help churches grow their Culture of Generosity and to assist members in crafting a Legacy Plan that supports their loved ones AND tells their faith story far into the future. Born and raised as a Lutheran in the Carolinas, she has spent more than 30 years serving the ELCA at congregational, synodical, and national levels. Supported by the NC and SC Synods and affiliated partners, her services are available at absolutely no obligation. 

Evin Burleson

he/him

Director of Finance & Administration

Evin is from Albemarle, NC, and is currently finishing up a Master’s in history at UNC Charlotte. Having worked in museums for the past decade, he will gladly talk to you about local history (if you have the time). He lives in Salisbury with the love of his life, Sarah Greene Burleson. In his limited spared time, he enjoys traveling, cooking, coffee, Lego, and obscure facts.

Sarah Greene Burleson

she/her

Bishop's Administrator

Sarah supports the bishop as her main administrator, provides administrative support to candidacy and the call process, manages rostering documents, and maintains the synod database. Sarah lives in Salisbury with her husband, Evin, the synod’s Director of Finance & Administration, along with their two dogs, cat, and chicken. In her spare time, she loves to write, read, crochet, arrange cemetery flowers, and travel.

Catherine Fink

she/her

Communications and Resources

A native of South Carolina, Catherine spent many of her growing up years at Southern Seminary where her dad, Dr. Carl Ficken, taught. She graduated from Lenoir-Rhyne University in '88 and has stayed in NC ever since! She and her husband, Dwayne, met when they were both counselors at Lutheridge and have a grown son, Jacob, and new daughter-in-law, Elizabeth. She loves stories in whatever form they come—music, books, or movies—as well as traveling to new places.

The Rev. Brenda Henry

she/her

Director for Evangelical Mission

Pastor Henry joins the synod staff from the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod, where she most recently served with Pittsburgh Lutheran United Ministries (PLUM), a cooperative ministry of ten congregations. Originally from the U.S. Virgin Islands, Pastor Henry has lived in Lansing, Michigan, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, before relocating to North Carolina. She holds a BASW (’90) and MSW (’92) from Michigan State University, as well as an MDiv (’17) with a certificate in urban ministries from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Pastor Henry is the proud mother of two adult children, three grandchildren, and the adoptive mother of her younger sister. She enjoys reading, curating beautiful spaces, and spending quality time with family and friends. The Director for Evangelical Mission role is a deployed position of the ELCA churchwide organization.

Mark Hustedt

He/Him

Connect NC

Mark Hustedt serves as Young Adult Ministry Leader for Connect NC – a Synod Authorized Outreach Ministry (SAOM) organized by young adults, for young adults. In addition to this role, Mark works full-time as a Geologist in Charlotte and attends Morning Star in Matthews.

Angel Jeffery

she/her

Communications and Digital Strategies

Angel supports synod communications through social media, creative storytelling, and graphic design. Her work is rooted in advocacy and amplifying stories from across the synod. She studied Religion and Communication at UNCG and previously served as Communications Specialist at St. John’s, Salisbury. Angel lives in the Lexington area with her husband and cat, Gryffin.

Deacon Dr. Mindy Makant

She/Her

And God Says it is Good, Lilly Grant Director

Mindy Makant is an ELCA deacon serving as Professor of Religious Studies at Lenoir-Rhyne University, where she directs the Youth and Family Ministry program. She is also directing the NC Synod’s Lilly grant, “And God Says It Is Good.” Mindy earned an undergraduate degree in Spanish from Mercer University, an M.Ed. from the University of West Georgia, an M.A. in Sacred Theology from Ohio Dominican, and a Th.D. in Theology and Ethics from Duke Divinity School. She and her husband, Russell (an ELCA pastor and Mental Health professional), are the parents of two adult children and their spouses, and the grandparents of two absolutely perfect little boys. They live in Hickory, where they spend as many hours outdoors hiking as possible.

The Rev. Cassie McIntosh Overcash

She/Her

Assistant to the Bishop | Boundaries and Inclusion Education

Originally from New Jersey, Pastor Cassie McIntosh Overcash has been part of the NC Synod since 2003. She grew up attending Abiding Presence, Fuquay-Varina, was an active member of the LYO Board, and served as a camp counselor at Agapé+Kure Beach Ministries. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Philosophy from Lenoir-Rhyne and a Master of Divinity from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary. Most recently, she was pastor at Grace, Thomasville. She has served as a member of synod council and is excited to work with congregations across North Carolina to promote collaboration and innovation. Outside of work, you can find Pastor Cassie hosting game nights, throwing pottery, and traveling with her family.

Amy Phillips

she/her

Lutheran Disaster Response Carolinas—Western North Carolina Response Coordinator

Amy Phillips works with volunteer teams from across the country to schedule service trips, arranges volunteer housing, and identifies projects for their work through LDR Carolinas. She is based in Arden. She has called Western North Carolina home since 2006. She has worked in congregation and early childhood settings and brings her passion for helping others with her volunteer and leadership skills to support the WNC community to recover after Hurricane Helene’s destruction. Amy attends the Lutheran Church of the Nativity in Arden NC, with her husband, Doug. Together, they enjoy spending time with their 3 children (one in CA, one at App State, and one in High School). She enjoys reading, creating, and being outdoors.

Jenny Ramos

she/her

Supply Coordinator & Adminstrative Assistant

Jenny provides supply pastors for vacant congregations, coordinates interims, and serves as the office receptionist. Jenny is a long-time resident of South Carolina and a graduate of Columbia College. She comes to us from the SC Synod, where she served as Administrative Assistant and Executive Administrator for nearly 19 years. Jenny loves documentaries, travel, and good food.

Deacon Wendy Roberts

she/Her

Assistant to the Bishop

Deacon Wendy’s ministry areas include call process, candidacy for rostered ministers, and Advanced Lay Ministries (Synod Authorized Ministers and lay preachers). Deacon Wendy grew up attending St. Mark’s, Charlotte. After graduating from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, she completed a Chaplain Residency at Atrium Main. In 2011, she was called to Morning Star, Matthews where she served across the generations, with a special emphasis on discipleship. Wendy has a passion for connecting leaders with unique God-given gifts to fulfilling ministries. She and her husband, Chris, love exploring the outdoors and spending time with their two young adult children and beloved corgi mutt.

The Rev. Cathy Schibler

she/her

Regional Representative for Portico Benefits Services

North Carolina Synod's Regional Portico Representative is Pastor Cathy Schibler. She has served on the Regional Rep team since 2016. While the Portico Customer Care Center (800.352.2628) remains the primary point of contact for benefit questions and processes, Portico’s Regional Reps provide education, encouragement, and a personal connection.

The Rev. Ray Sipe

he/him

Lutheran Disaster Response Carolinas—Disaster Coordinator/Network Builder

Pastor Ray has worked as a hardware and software engineer, customer service manager, and in international sales. He graduated from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (LTSS) in 2008 and has served the NC Synod congregations of Becks, Lexington; Prince of Peace, Salisbury; Mt. Gilead, Mt. Pleasant; and St. Martin, Concord. He has also served as Chaplain for Trinity Place in Albemarle. During their shared internship, he and his wife, Pastor Ruth Ann, worked with Lutheran Disaster Response on the Gulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina, developing resources on personal and congregational preparedness. ldrcarolinas.org

The Rev. Ruth Ann Sipe

she/her

Lutheran Disaster Response Carolinas—Disaster Coordinator/Network Builder

Pastor Ruth Ann is a third career pastor who returned to school after working as a construction estimator and project manager, and as a customer service manager for a manufacturing firm. She graduated from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (LTSS) in 2008 and completed the Spiritual Direction Certification program at LTSS in 2022. She has served three congregations in NC: Becks, Lexington; Mt. Zion, Richfield; and St. Stephen’s, Gold Hill. She and Pastor Ray have two adult children and six grandchildren. ldrcarolinas.org

Elizabeth Smith

she/her

Heilig Resource Center Assistant

Retired from the State of North Carolina, Elizabeth has worked on synod staff since 2013. A member of Calvary, Spencer, she is a wife, step-mom, and proud grandma. She has a passion for work with the election process. She believes everyone should have the chance to vote and she works each year during the election times to make this happen. Also, she supports the Salvation Army and all they do for those in need.

The Rev. Phil Tonnesen

he/him

Assistant to the Bishop | Campus Ministry, Deans

Pastor Phil's ministry areas include camps, campus ministries, companion synods, conference deans, specialized pastoral care, and rostered ministers transitioning into retirement. He also works with congregations in the call process. Phil grew up at Grace, Raleigh, and met his wife, Deb, while attending Lenoir-Rhyne. Following his graduation from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in 1993, he served in a team ministry at Cross and Crown, Matthews. Phil and Deb live on Lake Hickory and have three adult children and one grandchild. Together they enjoy traveling, boating, and hiking.

Thom Pegg

he/him

Lutheran Disaster Response Carolinas—Project Coordinator

Thom Pegg is an LDR Carolinas Project Coordinator based in Asheville. After earning his MSW from the University of Pittsburgh in 2018, Thom has primarily been active in nonprofit construction, working for Habitat for Humanity, All Hands and Hearts, and NECHAMA-Jewish Response to Disaster. Outside of work, Thom enjoys reading, cooking, making music, and experiencing the great outdoors.

The Rev. Jonathan Weant

Lutheran Disaster Response Carolinas—Project Coordinator

The Rev. Jonathan Weant serves as an LDR Carolinas Project Coordinator in the High Country near Boone. Originally from Dallas, NC, Jonathan has lived in the NC High Country since graduating from Duke Divinity School in 2010. From 2018-2026, he served as pastor of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Lenoir, NC. He lives near Boone, NC, with his wife and two children. He’s fond of his family, books, all things NC mountains, and his flock of chickens.