Rooted in Partnership
Re:Church began as a Lilly Endowment Inc. grant-funded project, originally called the "Calvary Partner Network." It was born as an effort to help rural congregations strengthen their ministries by sharing relationships, resources, and what was being learned through the ministry of Calvary Lutheran Church.
What began as a small network of partner congregations continued to grow. As we listened to pastors and church leaders, one need became increasingly clear: rural and small-town congregations were facing unique challenges, often with limited staff, fewer resources, and little access to the support available in larger ministry settings. Yet these churches remained deeply rooted in their communities and filled with incredible potential for ministry.
That growing awareness led the Calvary Partner Network to become Re:Church.
Re:Church recognizes that far too many churches and leaders are rooted in rural ecosystem that is increasingly endangered, where far too many churches and ministry leaders are isolated, stretched thin and ill-prepared to meet the unique challenges of rural ministry today. Traditional models of ministry no longer meet the realities of rural life, seminary education inadequately prepared leaders for the practical aspects of rural ministry, and resource-strapped judicatory bodies are unable to provide the hands-on support needed. In addition, there is a bias that rural is “behind the times,” country life is inconsequential, and outstate is outdated. Re:Church was built on the belief that the transformation needed to help rural churches thrive must start and end at the congregational level, hand in hand - congregations working together.
A Renewed Vision for Rural Ministry
Re:Church represents more than a new name. It reflects an expanding vision to help rural congregations reignite their sense of mission, reconnect with their communities, and reimagine ministry for a changing world.
Today, Re:Church collaborates with congregations and leaders through coaching, practical resources, leadership development, shared learning, and genuine relationships. We believe healthy churches do not have to be large, and rural ministry does not have to be defined by decline. When congregations work together, share what they have, and remain centered on Jesus, new possibilities emerge.
Our story is still being written as we help rural churches move beyond survival and step confidently into the future God is calling them to.
re:church
leadership team
Hans Dahl
Re:Church Executive Director
Throughout his career, Pastor Hans Dahl has always found himself most happy when he's working with people—from his first job as a paperboy, to working in camping and youth ministry, to work in sales at Microsoft. He is a graduate of Luther Seminary in St. Paul and Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. Before arriving at Calvary in 2012, he served for 6 years as the Associate Pastor at Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church in St. Paul, MN. Prior to that, he served for 6 years in youth ministry at Olivet Lutheran Church in Fargo, ND.
Pastor Aaron Sturgis
Re:Church Ambassador & Chief Creative Officer
Pastor Aaron Sturgis has served as Central Lutheran’s Senior Pastor since December 2013. Aaron is a gifted leader who has lead Central through a season of significant growth. He graduated from Luther Seminary in 2013, and is married to his wife Nikole, and they have three children.
Kia Siemer
Re:Church Coordinator
Kia’s path to ministry is a unique and beautiful one. A nurse by education, when she just a young mom raising her son she stepped into a church for the first time, was confirmed as a young adult, would be drawn to and eventually serve in youth ministry, and now is a bi-vocational leader, serving as a Synodically Authorized Minister for one of our Re:Church partner churches, West Moe Lutheran Church, while also continuing a nursing career and serving as the Coordinator for Re:Church.