Leadership

Paul-Larson

Rev. Paul Larson

CLB President

Rev. Paul Larson is husband to Bee, and father to Gabe (& Mikelle), Gracia, Nick (& Tessa), Karina, Nate (& Julia); and granddad to two little grand-Larsons. He was raised in the faith at Elim LBC in Clearbook, MN. He attended Lutheran Brethren Bible College and following was youth director at Yellowstone LBC in Billings, MT (82-85). He is a graduate of LB Seminary ('88), and has done subsequent doctoral studies (ABD) at Fuller Theological Seminary. He was the church planter at Word of Life LBC, Fort Collins, CO (88-91). He also pastored CLB congregations in CA and WI: Calvary Community Church, Fullerton, CA (91-02); Bethesda LBC, Eau Claire, WI (02-14). He was elected CLB President in 2014.
Matthew-Rogness

Rev. Matthew Rogness

CLB Vice President

Rev. Matthew Rogness has served as Director of Lutheran Brethren International Mission for twenty-six years, finishing that service in June of 2020. He continues to serve as Vice President and Director of Operations for the Church of the Lutheran Brethren. Prior to his serving as Director of LBIM, he and his wife Judy served in Cameroon as missionaries, he was an assistant to the Director of LBIM, and in parish ministry in Washington and Minnesota. Matthew was born in Mason City, Iowa and was raised in his faith in Lutheran Brethren congregations his father pastored in the United States and Canada. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BA in History and received his Master of Divinity degree from Lutheran Brethren Seminary in 1980. He was ordained into Christian ministry in 1981. He and Judy live in Fergus Falls. They have two grown children. 

Office of the President

Rev. Phil Heiser
Associate for Minister Support
Steve Tonneson
Associate for Advancement Ministry
Roy Heggland
Associate for Biblical Stewardship
LaWayne-Rogness

Tim Mathiesen

Director of Communication and Prayer

Tim Mathiesen grew up at as missionary kid in Japan where his parents, Gaylan and Joy, served as missionaries for eleven years. He graduated from Northwestern College (now University of Northwestern) in St. Paul, MN with a degree in Graphic Design. Tim has served as an elder at Community of Joy Church in Eagan, MN and Bethel Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, MN. Before his current role as Director of Communication for the Church of the Lutheran Brethren, Tim served as Director of Communications with Bethel Lutheran Church for seven years, followed by two years as Media Relations Coordinator with the Church of the Lutheran Brethren. He is married to Jenny and they have three girls.
LaWayne-Rogness

LaWayne Rogness

Director of Finance and Personnel

LaWayne Rogness was born in Mason City, Iowa. He grew up in Joice, Iowa and moved to Fergus Falls, Minnesota as a teenager. He was baptized into Christ as an infant and grew in his faith through the work of the Lutheran Brethren congregations his family faithfully attended. He graduated from North Dakota State College of Science in 1972 with a degree in electrical technology. He attended Minnesota State Community and Technical College and completed a business degree in 1983. He owned and operated Interstate, Inc., with his brothers, selling farm equipment for over thirty years. He has served Bethel Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls as treasurer since 1979. He and his wife Beverly live in Fergus Falls. They have three adult children.
Troy-Tysdal

Dr. Troy Tysdal

President, Lutheran Brethren Seminary

Dr. Troy Tysdal serves as president of Lutheran Brethren Seminary. He was born in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. He was baptized as an infant but turned away from the faith. Through the outreach of Lutheran Brethren congregations, he heard the Gospel faithfully proclaimed and received Jesus Christ as his Savior. Troy earned an Associate in Communication Art and Design from Alexandria Technical College in Alexandria, Minnesota; a Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Faith International University in Tacoma, Washington; a Master of Divinity from Lutheran Brethren Seminary in Fergus Falls, Minnesota; and a Doctor of Ministry from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. Troy has served the Church of the Lutheran Brethren as Church Resource Coordinator (2010-2015) and as Director of Communications and Prayer (2015-2023). He has been Editor-in-Chief of Faith & Fellowship Magazine (2014-2023), Associate Pastor at Stavanger Lutheran Church (2008-2012), President of Messiah Lutheran Church (2017-18), and Pastor of Chippewa Lutheran Church (2018-2022). He and his wife, Katie are members of Bethel Church in Fergus Falls and Battle Lake, Minnesota. They have two children.
Dan-Venberg

Dan Venberg

Director of International Mission

Dan Venberg was born in Brooklyn, NY, just off the plane as his parents Rodney and Helen were returning from the mission field in Chad for their first home assignment. His birth came a few months earlier than expected, and as a result Dan was baptized in an incubator. He grew up on the mission field, and grew in his faith in the context of cross-cultural mission, coming to understand the sinful state of all peoples, himself included, and that by faith in the Christ alone, that there was complete assurance of salvation. Dan came to love the unique passion and calling of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren in regards to it’s international mission focus, and felt called to serve in that capacity. Dan has a Masters degree in International Resource Management from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and a Certificate of Theological Studies in Missions from Lutheran Brethren Seminary. He has served for 10 years as a missionary in Chad and 7 years as LBIM’s Mission Mobilizer and Recruiter. As of July 1, 2020, Dan has been serving as director of international mission for the CLBA. He and his wife Rachel live in Fergus Falls. They have three adult children and one child at home.  
Nick-Mundis

Rev. Brandon Pangman

Director of North American Mission

Brandon Pangman didn’t grow up in a Christian family. He was introduced to Jesus when a complete stranger walked up to him and proclaimed Jesus to him. Brandon knew sin, shame and guilt but this stranger gave him freedom in Christ. Brandon is blessed to be married to Jenny. They have three children (Mya, Ian, and Eli). Brandon previously served as the Lead Pastor at Emmaus Road Church, Director of Elevate Youth Convention, and the DeWitt Police Department Chaplain. Prior to this, he served Rock of Ages LB Church in Seattle, WA, Bethesda LB Church in Eau Claire, WI, and Bethel LB Church in Huntington Station, NY. Brandon has a degree in Business from Northwestern University and a Master of Divinity from Lutheran Brethren Seminary.
Nick-Mundis

Rev. Bruce Stumbo

North American Mission Associate

Pastor Bruce will be assisting our commitment to North American Mission by serving as an interim associate for departmental leadership (Ministry Lead) as we search for and prepare for a new Director and related staff for this important work of our church body. Bruce is a graduate of Lutheran Brethren Seminary and has served CLB congregations in Oregon, Minnesota, and North Dakota. Prior to accepting this new role, Bruce served for two years as Interim Campus Pastor at Triumph CLB in Moorhead, MN and West Fargo, ND. He and his wife, Laurel, now live near Battle Lake, Minnesota. They have three children and seven grandchildren.