Deacon Jon Leiseth (he/him) started serving the NWMN Synod of the ELCA as its Office Administrator in August of 2024.
Previously, Jon served Concordia College (Moorhead, MN) as its Minister for Vocation, Community and Service (2016-2024) and its Vocation Associate (2010-2012). With his wife and family, Jon served as Associate Country Coordinator of the ELCA's Young Adults in Global Mission program in Southern Africa for four years (2012-2016). He is a graduate of Luther Seminary (MA) and Concordia College (BA). He is also a graduate of Shalem Institute's Transforming Community program (in designing and leading contemplative prayer, groups, and retreats) and a Gallup-certified CliftonStrengths Coach. Jon has been a pastor's spouse for over 25 years.
Jon is a "second-career" minister, having worked as a full-time teaching theatre artist for about two decades after earning a Master of Fine Arts degree in Drama (with a focus in directing) from the University of Montana in Missoula, MT. As of August 2024, he is now a "bi-vocational" minister: Jon began serving the synod the day before he started serving Theatre B (Moorhead, MN) as its Artistic Director. Jon has made and taught theatre locally in FM, in Minneapolis-St. Paul, on the East Coast, in Missoula, and in Pietermartizburg, South Africa. Though primarily a director of scripts, he also has a passion for devising (ensemble-creation of original performance) and may some day be seen on stage again.
Jon is married to Bishop Tessa Moon Leiseth (EaND Synod of the ELCA) and they have two young adult children. The family has a beloved dog (Thula, which translates to "peace and quiet" in isiZulu) and together they also enjoy traveling, cooking and eating, music, being outdoors, and stories of all kind and formats (books, podcasts, movies, television, and, of course, theatre.)
