Kristian Anderson was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY where he came to faith, met his wife Mary and pastored his first congregation, 59th Street Church as their Youth Pastor. Kristian and his wife then felt a call to go to seminary in Minnesota where he would finish his degree with the hopes of planting a church one day. As he was in seminary, he pastored Living Faith Church in Fergus Falls, MN until he finished his degree. After seminary, they felt a call to serve as the Campus Pastor for Triumph Lutheran Brethren Church in Moorhead, MN where he served until feeling a call in 2020 to plant a Church in Boston. Kristian is currently serving Bethany LBC in East Hartland, CT as their Executive Pastor and preparing to plant in Boston in the following year. Kristian and Mary love to travel, eat delicious food, entertain, and teach board games. But most of all, they love serving Jesus together. 

Evan Langlois is the pastor of Praise Christian Fellowship in Barkhamsted, CT.  Evan has been a part of Cultivate New England since its beginning in 2016 and has the distinction of serving on the staff of two of its churches.  Evan was born and raised in Winsted, CT, and has a deep love for Connecticut as well as New England.  Evan currently lives in Connecticut with his wife Beth and their four children.

Mike Natale is the pastor at Faith Chapel: A church or the Lutheran Brethren in Cranston, RI for over 5 years now. He is also the director of Cultivate New England and the co-host of the CLB Forge Podcast. Mike is married to a wonderful woman, Lindsay and they have a dog (Chipper) and a bunch of chickens. Since moving to New England they have felt at home and have enjoyed the area and the people a great deal. Their prayer is to see God’s Kingdom furthered here in New England through the hearing of the gospel.

Dr. Ryan Nilsen is the Associate Director of CLB North American Mission and directs church planting efforts for the CLBA. He has been a part of the Cultivate New England team since its beginning in 2016. Ryan was born and raised in Connecticut and loves New England. He has served churches in Connecticut, Iowa, and Minnesota. He has a doctorate in church and parachurch executive leadership, and prior to his role in the CLB worked as director of Fifth Act Church Planting. Ryan and his wife Kjirsti have five children and live in Northwest Connecticut.

Roger Viksnes is the pastor of Bethany Lutheran Brethren Church in East Hartland, CT.  Roger has served churches in Minnesota, Brooklyn, NY but is now back in the town that he was born and raised in.  New England is a part of who he is and it has always been dear to his heart.  He loves walking out his front door and hiking or running through the New England woods with his wife Jenny and their 5 kids (or as many of them as are still willing to go hiking).  Roger has been a part of Cultivate New England since its beginning in 2016.