Building Up and Serving the Body of Christ

Coaching is an intentional relationship in which a trained coach uses powerful questions, strategic listening, and accountability to uncover and utilize your strengths and insights to accomplish your goals. Coaching has many applications for ministry in the church. Here are just a few:

  • Starting new ministries or congregations
  • Congregational redevelopment or renewal
  • Natural Church Development
  • Stewardship
  • Discipleship
  • Leadership development
  • First call

Contact one of the certified coaches in the South Dakota Synod below!

Guiding principles of Coaches in the ELCA

God’s mission and the work of the Holy Spirit are the heart of coaching.

Coaching is a ministry of accompaniment and encouragement.

God provides everything needed to accomplish God’s purposes for every leader and congregation.

Effective leadership is adaptive leadership. Coaching facilitates adaptive leadership.

Jamie Duprey

SD Coaching Coordinator

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Jamie Duprey is a Level II life coach, optimist, reading specialist, basketball coach, and most importantly, wife and mother. Jamie loves laughing loudly and connecting deeply. She is excited to support individuals and church communities through coaching. You can expect commitment, compassion, and charisma when connecting with Jamie. Please email her at coaching@sdsynod.org.

Nicholas Breining

Level I Coach

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Nicholas is a level 1 certified Coach, and he is also serving as the Children and Youth Coordinator at the Pine Ridge Reconciliation Center on the Pine Ridge Reservation. It has become a true joy and honor walking alongside others in their journeys through life, ministry, death, and everything in between. Currently, Nicholas is attending Dr. Don Eisenhauer’s End of Life and Grief Coach training, and this method has already been deeply moving and profound in his personal and professional life. Email him at youth.prrc@gmail.com.

Bob Chell

Level II Coach

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I am a certified level two coach in Mission Development. The bulk of my career was as a campus pastor. I ended my career serving as Pastor of St. Dysmas Lutheran located behind the walls of the SD State Penitentiary. I also have a Masters in Counseling degree from the University of South Dakota. If you are interested in exploring coaching with me I’d like to meet, at no charge to you, to talk with you about what you would like to achieve and how I might be of help. My email is bchell@hotmail.com. My phone is (605) 690-7870

Nancy Eckels

Level I Coach

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Nancy Eckels is a Level I coach working toward Level II certification. She is committed to helping disciples and congregations live into their baptismal calling through vocation, devotion, discipleship, and service. A former educator and now ordained pastor, Nancy will walk alongside you and help you explore the mystery of God’s grace as you journey. Please email her at neckels001@luthersem.edu.

Katherine Eisele

ELCA Coach

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I have been a rostered minister in the ELCA, SD Synod since 2012. I was a registered nurse for 30 years prior to my call to Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls in 2007. I have been involved in the coaching world since 2015 with an emphasis in Discipleship Coaching. My professional ministry focus has been adult and family faith formation. It is a gift to walk alongside a brother or sister in faith in an intentional coaching relationship. I look forward to coaching others as they explore next steps in their ministry and grow as disciples of Jesus Christ. Contact eiselekm@gmail.com.

Wilbur Holz

Level II Coach

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Pastor Wilbur Holz currently serves at Trinity Lutheran in Rapid City. He is a Level 2 Certified Coach having completed Care for Creation certification. He also did Introduction to Coach Groups as a continuing education class. Wilbur appreciates the opportunity to hear the stories of others and their faith journeys and the chance to ask powerful questions in order to help others move forward in their journeys. He loves to explore how we are to live out our calling in response to the grace and blessings of God. Contact Pastor Wilbur Holz at pastorwilbur@rushmore.com or by phone at 605-430-8789.

Cassandra Lamb

Level I Coach

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Pastor Cassandra Lamb currently serves as the campus pastor at the University Lutheran Center on the campus of South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD. She is a Level 1 certified coach and is excited to use the art of powerful questions to help you find your next faithful step forward. Cassandra believes in living authentically and thrives on relationships. She finds much joy in being a single mother by choice and accompanying many college students! Contact her at pastorcassandra@sdsulutheran.org to see if coaching could be the guide your journey needs right now.

Mary Mortenson

Level II Coach

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Mary Mortenson is a Level 2 coach, with expertise in congregational development and redevelopment; however, she is available for all coaching opportunities, including group work.  Contact info: mary@sparklight.org; 605-496-5841.

Margie Neugebauer

Level II Coach

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Margie Neugebauer is a certified Level 2 Life Coach. A grandmother, and leader for Christ, she is living her dream in the Black Hills. Margie has a passion for connecting with individuals and congregations through Development and Congregational Vitality. Using the GiFT process, she has trained and coached several congregations already. Margie is eager to empower others to grow and her expertise areas include: transformational change, leadership development, and capacity building. Contact Margie at margeneugebauer@gmail.com or 303.590.4403.

Jonathan Steiner

Level I Coach

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Jonathan Steiner serves as Director for Evangelical Mission and Associate to the Bishop for Stewardship & Outreach.  Jonathan has a passion for dreaming with people about what God is up to in our lives and in our work together as the church.  Through a coaching relationship, Jonathan will encourage you to dream about your goals and process. Email Jonathan at jsteiner@sdsynod.org.

Rhonda Wellsandt Zell

Level II Coach

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Rhonda Wellsandt Zell is a level II coach with an emphasis in Mission Development/Redeveloper. She is a teacher, quilter, Redevelopment pastor and has a passion for creativity and spirituality. Coaching is an opportunity to walk alongside individuals and congregations as they explore the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Contact Rhonda at Wellzell2@gmail.com.