Pastor René is a second career pastor, in her second call. In January 2023 she began as mission developer/pastor for A New Journey Lutheran Parish in the McIntosh, Bejou, Gary area of Minnesota. About 18 years after the seed of ministry was planted by her campus pastor, it finally germinated and she left her career in education for ordained ministry. She is a Badger fan (GO RED!) living in Gopher territory. She enjoys reading, college hockey, and curling in the winter and pitching horseshoes in the summer.