Pastor Jesse Hershberger (she/her) grew up in Madison, WI. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in English, Spanish, and Political Science from Valparaiso University in Indiana. While there, she leaned into opportunities to travel to Costa Rica and Palestine/Israel where she learned from international scholars in liberation theology–these experiences deeply shaped her call to and approach towards ministry. While at Valparaiso, Jesse also became Lutheran and joined the ELCA. 

After graduation, she worked as an Admission Counselor at Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota while she discerned her call to ministry. In the fall of 2021, she enrolled at Princeton Theological Seminary in New Jersey. After completing her Master of Divinity degree, she affiliated with Wartburg Seminary to complete her internship at Grace Lutheran Church in Des Moines. She loves living in the Midwest and has been happy to settle in Iowa. 

As a member of the LGBTQIA+ and disability communities, Pastor Jesse is passionate about creating inclusive faith spaces where all are welcome to bring their full selves (questions & doubts included!). Her family consists of her parents who live in Wisconsin, her two sisters (one in Wisconsin and one in Delaware), and her significant other Sam who lives in Des Moines.