Anna Ostenso, Director of Faith Formation

I am a native Minnesotan from a large, close-knit Midwestern family: forty cousins, thirty-six aunts and uncles and one of my heroes, my grandma. As a child I attended Sunday school and first communion classes at various churches, but it was not until high school, actively participating in an Edina youth group and being confirmed, that I found my passion for faith development within the church community. My educational background includes a BA in Chinese International Studies from Middlebury College, Vermont and an MA in Youth Ministry from King’s College, London. Prior to joining Nativity’s staff, I was a youth minister for the Trinity Trust Team, a consortium of Anglican, Catholic and United Methodist churches in Godalming, England.

For me, faith formation is grounded in a Christian community of diverse people united by their faith. Within this community opportunities are facilitated for everyone to realize their individual gifts and feel valued as both an individual and a member of a whole. Together this community addresses how to be people grounded in the Christian tradition authentically interacting with God, each other, society and contemporary culture.

On a personal note, I also enjoy baking up a storm, the great outdoors, dancing at almost any opportunity, time with friends and family and avidly completing my daily crossword puzzle.