Office of the Bishop

Your synod staff works to accompany congregations in all areas of ministry including candidacy, the call process, formation, leadership development, stewardship, evangelism, church finance, youth & young adult ministries, congregational management, and conflict resolution.

Rev. Joy Mortensen-Wiebe
Bishop

(she/her/hers) – What’s This?
joymw@scsw-elca.org

Bishop Joy Mortensen-Wiebe was elected in 2020 to serve as bishop of the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin-ELCA. Bishop Joy is returning to our synod after previously serving as our Interim Director for Evangelical Mission in 2018 and as an intentional interim pastor at First Lutheran Church in Beaver Dam in 2017. She most recently served as pastor of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Slinger, Wis.. Previously she served several Wisconsin churches including St. Paul in Mayville, Living Hope in Saukville, All Saints in Oshkosh; and Grace in Tomahawk. Bishop Joy also served as Associate to the Bishop in the East Central Synod of Wisconsin from 2004-2014 and as pastor chaplain of Lutheran Homes of Oshkosh Inc.

Bishop Joy received a Bachelor of Science degree from Carroll College in Waukesha, Wis., in 1988, a Master of Divinity degree from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., in 1992, and a Master of Education degree from Lakeland University in Plymouth, Wis., in 2004. Bishop Joy is married to the Rev. Darin Wiebe and they have two daughters, Elida and Julia.

Rev. Walter Baires
Associate to the Bishop, Director for Evangelical Mission

(he/him/his) – What’s This?
walterb@scsw-elca.org

Rev. Walter Baires serves as the Director for Evangelical Mission and Associate to the Bishop.  He was called to this position in April, 2019 and started in the office on May 1, 2019. Rev. Baires was ordained in the Lutheran Church of El Salvador in 1994. He graduated from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago in 1993. He served as associate pastor at Resurrection Lutheran in San Salvador, director of the Sister Parish Program, and vice-president of the Salvadoran Lutheran Synod.  Beginning in 2001, he began serving as co-pastor at Ascension Lutheran Church, a multicultural congregation in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. During his time at Ascension he also has served as vice-president of the Latino Ethnic Association of the ELCA, coordinator of the Synodical Latino Strategy and member of the ELCA Latino Strategy monitoring team. Rev. Baires is married to Elizabeth, an ELCA pastor currently serving as bridge pastor at Saint Luke Lutheran in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Their children are Atzin (31), Itzel (29), and Walter Jr. (27).

Talk to Walter about:

• The Faithful Innovation Process
• Exploring Shared Ministry Opportunities
• Mission Development
• Congregational Redevelopment

Marie Leafblad
Associate to the Bishop for Leadership Support

(she/her/hers) – What’s This?
mariel@scsw-elca.org

Marie joined the Office of the Bishop in March 2021 as the Associate to the Bishop for Leadership Support. In this role, she focuses on mobility, relational networking, care of congregations, council trainings, and youth and family ministries. Marie holds a Master’s degree in Global and Contextual Studies from Bethel Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota (2013), and a Bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies and World Religions from North Park University (2008).

After years of serving in Baptist and Non-Denominational churches, Marie was drawn to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) for its theology, inclusivity, and emphasis on grace. Her journey to the ELCA began when a beloved neighbor invited her to a “Beer & Hymns” event at his church in Minneapolis. This experience, coupled with the church’s welcoming community, inspired Marie to explore and ultimately embrace the ELCA.  In November, 2015, she began serving as the Youth and Family Director at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Slinger, Wisconsin, where she cultivated a strong foundation in youth and family ministry in that community. Before her call to St. Luke, Marie was the general manager at Barley John’s Brew Pub, which she affectionately describes as “the best church she’s ever served.”

Marie has extensive international experience, having worked in disaster relief, orphanage care, and with various organizations and businesses in Nepal, Kenya, Haiti, and Guatemala. Additionally, she serves as a Discipling Peer Coach with the ELCA, and works with our Companion Synod in India.

Talk to Marie about:

• Call Process, Mobility & Transitions in the Congregation
• Leadership Support
• Children, Youth & Family Ministry Support & Events
• Youth Gatherings

Jill Sim
Administrative Assistant

(she/her/hers) – What’s This?
jills@scsw-elca.org

Jill joined our synod staff in 2024 and brings over 20 years of experience as an administrative assistant and office manager, where she developed a strong skill set in organization, communication, and multitasking. She is passionate about creating efficient and welcoming office environments that support the mission of the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin. Outside of work, Jill enjoys traveling to new destinations, exploring different cultures, and creating memorable experiences. At home, she loves spending time with her husband and their three furry companions—two dogs and a cat—who keep their lives joyful and full of energy.

Talk to Jill about:

• Synod Office Support
• General Questions
• Events

Becky Johnson
Contract Staff – Accountant/Financial Consultant

Becky Johnson serves as our Synod Accountant and consultant on our financials working alongside our elected Synod Treasurer. She handles all accounts payable and prepares our financial statements.

Ben Weger
Contract Staff – Communications

(he/him/his) – What’s This?
communications@scsw-elca.org

Ben Weger serves as our Synod Communication and Program Assistant.

Talk to Ben about:

Website
Social Media
Email Communications