Missio Lincoln
launched fall 2024.
Apply to join the 2026-27 cohort!
What We Do
Missio Lincoln runs September to April. Participants gather monthly as a full cohort on Thursdays, except in October and March when they gather for two day-retreats. Gatherings include meals, dwelling in the Word, guests, and conversation with one another around our focusing questions: Where are we? What is God up to here? How is the Spirit inviting us to join? Participants also gather monthly in triads with a coach for coaching. Between gatherings, we engage with neighbors and foster holy imagination through reading. The time commitment is about 7 hours a month, except October and March.
Cohort Gatherings: 9am-1pm, Thursdays,
09/03, 11/05, 12/03, 01/07, 02/04, 04/01
Day Retreats: October 12-13, March 01-02
Meet the Missio Lincoln Team
Alex Rousseau
Coordinator
Alex is the founder of The Common Soil Collective, a family of missional practitioners. Born & raised in Lincoln, he holds his hometown dear and wants to see it thrive. He spent 5 years as a pastor, 19 summers working for NATS Detasseling (ongoing), and is a part-time stay-at-home dad. He currently serves as president of Atlas: Lincoln and is ordained in the Christian & Missionary Alliance.
Emily Gratopp
Coach
Emily is an ICF-Professional Certified Coach and National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach who helps others grow through purpose-driven change. A mom of four, Emily loves Lincoln. A Catholic convert, she leads women’s ministries and supports thriving parish communities.
With a background in public health and leadership development, she integrates trauma-informed and equity-centered practices to create safe, transformative spaces.
John Harris
Coach
John is the co-founder of Encouragement Kingdom Outreach Fellowship. Pastor Harris has been honored for his service to the community by the Clyde Malone Community Center with the Millard T. Woods Community Service Award. He was added to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “Wall of Honor” for his work promoting equality in his community and the Dr. Melvin Jones Mentoring Award for his work helping young people. On weekends, you can hear John broadcasting high school basketball and football games.
Melodie Jones Pointon
Coach
Melodie is Senior Pastor of Eastridge Presbyterian Church and an alumna of Missio Lincoln. She holds a Doctor of Ministry and has served at Presbyterian churches in Idaho, Washington, Arkansas, New Jersey, Michigan, Mississippi, and here in Nebraska since 2013. Her pastor husband, Steve, is from Belfast, Northern Ireland, and together they have two children and a four-legged friend.
Lauren
Peters
Former Coach
As a certified coach and ministry consultant, Lauren leads Feasting Table, serving ministry leaders nationwide with passion for new ministries and thriving clergy. She is ordained in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and President-Elect of International Coaching Federation's Nebraska Chapter. Since moving to Lincoln in 2020, Lauren has fallen in love with the community.
Robrenna
Parker
Former Coach
Robrenna is Founder of Reclaiming HER Resilience, through which she helps women find hope and healing with narrative-focused trauma care. Robrenna has created and hosted two podcasts grappling with faith and contemporary life, served two justice-seeking Lincoln non-profits (City Impact and I've Got A Name) and is a Veteran of the U.S. Army National Guard.
Helen Paus
Alumni Coordinator
& Former Coach
Helen is an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church, serving as the pastor at New Hope UMC and Prairie Home UMC. She came to ministry as a second career. Prior to serving in ministry, she worked as a medical laboratory scientist and served in the Army. Helen has lived in Lincoln for 21 years and enjoys serving in the community with her children. She has a passion for justice, as the Bible tells us to love mercy and seek justice for the oppressed.
Our Former Guest Panelists
Adam Luedtke, Director of Contemplate Lincoln
Beth Graverholt, Lead Organizer, Justice in Action
Bill Thornton, Co-pastor of F Street Neighborhood Church
Brody Van Roekel, Director of Atlas: Lincoln
Dr. Christopher James, Professor at Dubuque Theological Seminary
Dr. Connie Dawson, Professor and Retired Pastor
Jason Kirsch, Executive Director of Nebraska Christian Leaders Forum
Jonae Cunningham, Co-pastor/planter of Cultivate Church
Juan Carlos Huertas, Minister of Justice, First Plymouth Church
Lenore Berger, Founder of To the Brim Communities
Lew and Nan Kaye-Skinner, President, Lancaster County Faith Coalition
Meagan Gitchell, Spiritual Director of Sacred Beauty Spiritual Accompaniment
Michaela Akridge, Founder and Executive Director of Lincoln Food Fort
Morgan Hermanek, Community Health Endowment
Mozart Dixon, Chief Advancement Officer for The Witness Inc.
Patria Rector, Storywork Coach, The Broken and Beautiful Collective
Robrenna Parker, Coach and Podcaster, Reclaiming HER Resilience
Tobi White, Pastor of Our Saviors Lutheran Church