Anne-Marie Finsaas has served in pastoral ministry in the local church for over twenty years and has taught as adjunct faculty, both locally and globally, for over a decade. Recently, she collaboratively developed, led, and taught a two-year spiritual formation course in her local church and a one-year global children's ministry leadership certificate in South Africa.
Her doctoral work focused on the 'dark night of the soul' and the role of suffering in spiritual formation. This theological understanding of suffering has been broadened by her pastoral work in the church and chaplaincy work in healthcare during the pandemic.
Anne-Marie is a dual citizen of Australia and America. She grew up in Thailand and Nepal, and immigrated to the United States to marry the Minnesotan missionary she met in Indonesia. Anne-Marie and Ken have three adult children and love to watch PBS murder mysteries, eat ethnic food, read, walk, and travel.
Ministry Background
- Pastor of Formational Life, Church of the Open Door
- Spiritual Formation Associate Pastor, The Center
- Associate Director for Global Initiatives, Cory Center for Children’s Ministry
- Minister to Children, Colonial Church
- Family Ministry Director, Vision of Glory Lutheran Church
- Mid-Week Program Director, Vision of Glory Lutheran Church
- Children’s Ministry Associate, Vision of Glory Lutheran Church
- Registered Dietitian, Hennepin County Medical Center
Professional Interests and Contributions
- Faith formation in children and adults
- The role of suffering in faith formation
- Ministry to families and family systems
- Cross-cultural teaching
- Chaplaincy and the ministry of presence