Heidi Torgerson Email & Phone Number

Lagrange, Il

Chicago, Il

I lead the team responsible for the engagement, training, deployment, and support of approximately 230 ELCA global personnel in nearly 50 countries around the world, including some 75 long-term personnel and nearly 90 Young Adults in Global Mission volunteers. I am passionate about the life-giving witness of the global church and find deep meaning in helping people - and the church as an institution - wrestle with what it means to be sent into the world as progressive people of faith in this particularly fraught time in our world's history. I have recently restructured my staff team so that we are better positioned to respond effectively to the changing landscape of international service. The opportunity to envision something new and lead through periods of significant change energizes me. In this role I also direct security and contingency planning operations for our global personnel, collaborate closely with our fundraising colleagues, respond to problematic personnel issues and situations, direct various training, support, and continuing education events for our global personnel, and oversee a $2.2 million budget.

The Young Adults in Global Mission program of the ELCA places year-long volunteers between the ages of 21 and 29 in a variety of service settings across the world. In the 7.5 years I served in this role I, together with the team I led, grew the program by approximately 140% (from 35 to 85 volunteers) and expanded it into six new countries. I managed a budget of approximately $1.5 million, supervised two domestic and ten international staff, developed and presented theologically-grounded discernment and training modules for young adults, and provided pastoral support and crisis response resources to more than 500 volunteers and staff.

Master Of Divinity, Theology/Ministry

Ba, Psychology/Religion

Activities and Societies: Phi Beta Kappa, Luther College Nordic Choir, Student Congregation President