KINDLE fosters and multiplies Christ-like servant leaders to enhance the ministry of congregations in their communities and the world.

KINDLE’s Core Values:

• Christ-Centered
  We are anchored in Jesus Christ and aspire to serve Him and His church in all that we do.
• Congregation-Based Ministry
  We affirm the congregation as the front line of ministry for the church and endeavor to enhance the ministry of congregations.
• DCE Ministry
  We value the spirit and character of DCE ministry that enhances the church in the development of servant leaders.
• Excellence
  We understand excellence as a dynamic of “being” as well as “doing” and seek to be a learning organization enabling visibly evident innovative leadership development within the congregation.
• Leadership Legacy
  We are committed to ongoing processes that develop generations of Christ-like servant leaders.
• Personal Wellness
  We are committed to a lifestyle that models and encourages wellness in all aspects of life.
• Servant Leaders
  We value servant leaders who celebrate their baptismal identity, and offer themselves as living sacrifices to God on behalf of others in family, church and world.

Board of Directors

KINDLE’s Board of Directors is made up of people committed to its mission and core values.

President: David Rahberg
David Rahberg is a Director of Christian Education serving in Care ministries at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Carrollton, Texas.

Vice-President: Elvin Harms, Jr.
Elvin is an Engineering Physicist at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia, IL as well as a lay leader at his home congregation, Immanuel Lutheran, also in Batavia.

Treasurer: Kim Deterding
Kim is the Finance/Human Resource Director for the Alexandria Area YMCA in Alexandria, MN. Formerly she has been the Director of Church Administration at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Anoka, MN as well as the Business Manager at Zion Lutheran Church in Alexandria, MN.

Secretary: Michele Karpenko
Michelle is a retired pediatric physical therapist living in Rosemount, Minnesota.

Other Board Members

Sandy Jett
Sandy has recently retired as Executive Director of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lisle, IL. and continues to serve on the part-time staff as a volunteer.

Sandy Wendelin
Sandy Wendelin is a Director of Christian Education who serves as the Early Learning Center Administrator and Director of Discipleship at Bethlehem Lutheran Church and School in Lakewood, Colorado.

LeRoy Wilke

Carsten Falkenberg
Carsten is a Wealth Adviser for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

Members at Large
Richard Bimler, Mark Carter, Keith Loomans

Executive Director: Les Stroh
Les served as a DCE and synodical executive in the LCMS. He founded Cornerstone in 1991 and serves as a consultant and trainer in addition to his role as Executive Director for KINDLE.

Operations Director: Bill Karpenko
Bill is recently retired from Valparaiso University where he served in various administrative capacities.

Operations Coordinator: Diane Schuessler
Diane coordinates the five KINDLE program inititives and works with KINDLE’s four operational teams.