Lutheran Studies Conference Speakers
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Who:
Rev. Deborah A. Brown, M.Div. Hood Theological Seminary, Salisbury, NC; M.A. Hood Theological Seminary, Salisbury, NC
Bio:
Chaplain (Colonel) Deborah A. Brown is a native of Detroit, Michigan. On 8 August 2000, she began her military career as a 2LT Chaplain Candidate. She is endorsed by the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., and was accessioned to active duty on 15 May 2005.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA and a Master of Divinity Degree from Hood Theological Seminary, Salisbury, NC, a Master of Arts degree in Family Life and Counseling from Webster University, St. Louis, MO. Her military schools: Intermediate Level Education (ILE), Functional Brigade Chaplain Area Qualification Course, Chaplain’s Captain Career Course (C4), Chaplain Officer Basic Course, and five units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), and she is currently enrolled in The US Army War College distant learning program.
Her military assignments: 1st Brigade Special Troops Battalion, Ft. Drum, NY and immediately deployed with the unit to Baghdad, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005-2006; Battalion Chaplain for the 10th Sustainment Brigade Troop Battalion, Ft. Drum, New York (2006-2007). In June 2009, she completed her Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) training at Brooke Army Medical Hospital, San Antonio, TX; Chief of Department of Ministry and Pastoral Care for Winn Army Community Hospital, Ft. Stewart, GA; Brigade Chaplain for 59th Ordnance Brigade, Ft. Lee, Virginia; Pentagon Family Life Chaplain, Washington, DC; Ethics Instructor/Staff Chaplain for the Noncommissioned Officer Center, Leadership of Excellence, Ft. Bliss, TX; Senior Army Garrison Installation Chaplain and Joint Base Langley Deputy Chaplain on Ft. Eustis, VA (JBLE); TRADOC Chaplain Account Readiness Manager, Ft. Eustis, VA; Command Chaplain for the US Army Testing and Evaluation, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. She is currently serving as the OCCH – Chief of Recruiting and Accession, Ft. Jackson, SC.
Her awards and decorations: Legion of Merit Award, Meritorious Service Medal (6TH Award), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Outstanding Military Volunteer Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, The Ancient Order of Martin of Tours Medal, and The Ancient Order of Saint Christopher Medal.
Chaplain Brown has one eighteen-year-old son, Jeremiah Derric.
Who:
Rev. Jeffrey D. Cole, M.A. Religious Studies, CPA, M.S. Accounting, Series 65
Bio:
Jeffrey D. Cole is the Senior Washington Army National Guard Chaplain providing strategic and operational religious support advisement to the General Staff and Senior Leaders of the Washington Army National Guard in support of state operations and federal overseas deployments; understand diverse religious support needs of diverse population of Soldiers to develop, implement, and execute successful religious support plan across 5 major support commands in support of 6000+ soldiers; recruit, interview, access, train, and supervise 17 Chaplains and 15 Religious Affairs Specialists to ensure highly qualified, capable, resilient, and ready Chaplain Corps; provide comprehensive pastoral care to Senior Leaders and Soldiers to include weddings, memorials, ceremonies, graveside burials, notifications, and counseling.
Who:
Eddyson Darisme, Pediatric Chaplain at Seattle Children’s Hospital and Therapist at MEND Seattle
Bio:
Eddyson Darisme is a therapist and chaplain who supports children, families, and communities in navigating grief, trauma, and change. He works as a pediatric chaplain at Seattle Children’s Hospital and sees clients in private practice at MEND Seattle. Eddyson’s approach is grounded in mindfulness, curiosity, and a commitment to creating space for people to feel seen and
supported.
Outside of his professional life, Eddyson enjoys collecting vinyl records, paddleboarding, camping, and cultivating bonsai trees. A self-described plant enthusiast, he finds that tending to plants and spending time outdoors reflects the same patience and care he brings into his work with others.
Who:
David de la Vega, Instructor, Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) at Pacific Lutheran University (PLU)
Bio:
David de la Vega is a retired US Army Major developing multi-national, multi-disciplinary, multi-year, and multi-echelon training and education campaigns to achieve senior leaders’ strategic objectives.
His education includes a B.A. Theology/History/Secondary Education from Pacific Union College, a MEd Educational Leadership from Columbus State University, and a Operations/Advanced Operations Course from US Army Command and General Staff College.
He has experience as a Cavalry Scout, Air Defense Officer, Six-Sigma Project Management, Armor Officer, and Simulations Officer.
His hobbies include International travel, teaching bible class, seminary coursework, hiking, bicycling, driving back-country roads, taking the 2017 Alfa Romeo 4C to the track, and SCUBA diving.
Who:
Dr. Erik J. Hammerstrom, Professor of Religion PLU
Bio:
Erik Hammerstrom has had a deep affinity with Buddhism since he was young and has spent his entire adult life in its study. At PLU, he teaches a variety of classes that all touch on Buddhism in some way, including courses on the history and religions of East Asia, and Asian American immigration history.
In his research, he has published books and articles on the intellectual and institutional history of Chinese Buddhism during the early twentieth century, focusing on Buddhist responses to elements of modernity, such as the discourses surrounding both religion and modern science.
When not engaged in the edifying pursuits of teaching and study, he supports his local Buddhist community and enjoys indie and mainstream tabletop role-playing games. He has also undergone extensive training as an interfaith chaplain.
Who:
Rev. Lieutenant Colonel Kerstin Hedlund, U.S. Army Chaplain and Lutheran Pastor
Bio:
Chaplain (Lieutenant Colonel) Kerstin Hedlund joined the Army through ROTC in 1999. She commissioned as an Intelligence Officer for a short time before she transferred to the Chaplain Corps in 2005. She had planned to serve as a civilian pastor after completing her military obligation but instead was thrilled for an opportunity to combine her military and ministry vocations in the Chaplain Corps.
Her Reserve assignments include Battalion Chaplain 90th Sustainment Brigade; Installation Support and Prison Chaplain, Joint Base Lewis-McChord; Brigade Chaplain, 330th Medical Brigade; Instructor at the US Army Chaplain Center & School; Mission Support Element Chaplain, 416th Theater Engineer Command; Deputy Command Chaplain, 76th Operational Response Command; currently in the Accessions & Recruiting Division of the Army Chief of Chaplains Office. She served an active assignment as an Installation Chaplain at Parks Reserve Forces Training Area and Moffett Field in Palo Alto, CA.
Her civilian education includes Master of Divinity from Trinity Lutheran Seminary; a Master of Theology from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago; and she is completing a PhD in Theology at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.
Her military education includes Clinical Pastoral Education at Brooke Army Medical Center, Joint Base San Antonio; Chaplain Officer Basic Course; Chaplain Career Course; Command & General Staff College; Operational Religious Senior Leader Course.
As a civilian she has served as a parish pastor, and she currently serves in Contextual Ed at Trinity Lutheran Seminary at Capital University. She has two young children.
Who:
Chaplain Minda Lane, Virginia Mason Medical Center
Bio:
Minda Lane serves as the staff chaplain of Virginia Mason Medical Center, a 325-bed hospital in Seattle, WA. She is passionate about expanding care recipients’ concept of spirituality in support of their greater fulfillment. In her off time she enjoys spending time with her family, including pup Oakley, as well as being active outdoors, writing, and cooking.
Who:
Chaplain Major Shakeer McNair, U.S. Army
Bio:
Chaplain (MAJ) Shakeer McNair is a native of High Point, North Carolina. She graduated from Livingstone College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and a minor in Political Science. While attending Livingstone College her leadership qualities and contributions to the community were recognized by being selected to leadership honorary society and Future lawyer of America. She completed her Master’s in Divinity (MDIV). She was ordained in 2013 At Evans Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church in Fayetteville, NC and endorsed through World Council Independent Christian Churches. In 2014 she completed a residency in Clinical Pastoral Education at an ACPE approved training site in Tallahassee FL. The experience transformed her skills in navigating and addressing matters of diverse spiritual, mental, and emotional issues. In 2015 she returned to the faith community that was instrumental in early life Christian development and became the Youth Pastor in her local community.
Chaplain McNair served on active duty for four years before she transitioned from SGT Williams to 2LT commissioned through the Chaplain Candidate program, and in 2017 she was assessed as a Chaplain. Presently, Chaplain McNair is assigned as the Accessions Officer in DACH-PER. Prior to her current Active-Duty assignment, she served six years in the United States Army Reserves (USAR). Her USAR assignments include 108th Training Command, Charlotte, NC (Chaplain Candidate); 160th Military Police Battalion, Tallahassee, FL (Chaplain Candidate). Her Active-Duty assignments include: 1-9 Field Artillery Battalion, Ft. Stewart GA (Battalion Chaplain); 35th Engineer Battalion a One Station Unit Training (OSUT) initial military training organization at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. Brigade Chaplain 1st Engineer Brigade Chaplain. Her military education includes Combat Medical Ministry Course, Joint Base San Antoino TX (2011);Chaplain Captain Career Course, Fort Jackson, SC (2021).
Some of her awards include Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon.
She is happily married to Jimmy McNair (LTC-R) and they have two beautiful children, Jerral and Janell McNair. Chaplain McNair considers it be a privilege to serve God’s people and blessed to have a supportive husband and family.
Who:
Dr. Marit A. Trelstad, PLU Chair of Lutheran Studies and Professor of Constructive and Lutheran Theologies at PLU
Bio:
Marit Trelstad is Professor of Constructive and Lutheran Theology at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington. Her scholarly work combines feminist, process and Lutheran theologies and has focused on Christology, theological anthropology, the doctrine of God, and science and religion (including economics, geoengineering and ecology). As a contributor and editor, she published Cross Examinations: Readings on the Meaning of the Cross Today (Fortress, 2006) and contributed to Transformative Lutheran Theologies (Fortress, 2010) and Lutherrenaissance: Past and Present (Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2015) along with several other journals and books.
Who:
Chaplain (Captain) Songkran Waiyaka, U.S. Army Chaplain Corps, Joint Base Fort Lewis / McChord Chaplain, Buddhism
Bio:
Chaplain Captain Songkran Waiyaka was born in Chiangrai province, Thailand, in 1972. He was raised in a Buddhist family, ordained as a Buddhist novice when he was 13 in 1985, and ordained as a Buddhist monk in 1993 at Wat Rajanaddaram, Bangkok, Thailand. He served his faith as a Buddhist novice and monk in Thailand for 12 years. He spent another 10 years serving Buddhist Communities in California and other States as a Buddhist missionary monk.
Chaplain Captain Waiyaka earned a BA degree in Humanities from Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya Buddhist University, Bangkok, Thailand, in 1997, AA and AS degree from City College of San Francisco, CA, in 2006 and 2009, and a Master degree in Buddhist Chaplaincy from the University of the West in 2014.
Chaplain Captain Waiyaka’s Military education and trainings includes CHBOLC Chaplain Basic Officer Leader Course, Fort Jackson, SC, CMM (Combat Medical Ministry), Fort Sam Houston, TX, Chaplain Practicum, The United States Military Academy (West Point), NY, Chaplain Practicum, Fort Knox, KY, Chaplain Practicum, Fort Benning, GA. He completed the C4 or the Chaplain Captains Career Course at the U.S. Army Institute for Religious Leadership Fort Jackson, SC.
Chaplain Captain Waiyaka’s ministry assignments include Chaplain Candidate at the 11th Military Police Brigade, Los Alamitos, CA, Battalion Chaplain at 92nd CH DET Fight Tonight Unit, Meza, AZ, and at 387 Military Police Battalion, Scottsdale, AZ. He accessioned to Active Duty in the U.S. Army in September 2019 and served as a Battalion chaplain at 703rd BSB 2nd Armored ABCT, Fort Stewart, GA. In January 2023-2025, he served as a battalion chaplain at 53D Transportation battalion at Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM), WA. Currently, he serves at 46th ASB, 16th CAB, JBLM.
Chaplain Captain Waiyaka has deployed twice for nine months assignments; in 2020 (The Defender 2020 Mission), Poland and The CBR XIV, Germany, and in 2024 (USAREUR-AF OPERATION EUROPEAN ASSURE DETER AND REINFORCE), Poland.
Chaplain Captain Waiyaka’s awards include: Award of the Army Reserve components Achievement Medal, The Army Achievement Medal, The Army Achievement Medal (Second award), The Army Commendation Medal, and The Army commendation Medal (Second award).
Chaplain Captain Waiyaka is married to his spouse, Prisana Suchatsuthatham (Patty). They currently live in DuPont, WA. His hobbies include learning the Thai guitar, spending quality time with family, exploring new places, and cooking Thai food.
