EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Rev. Sara Lilja, Director, is our only staff at this time. She is assisted by many faithful board members, interns, and volunteers. If you would like to be a part of this ministry, please contact her at slilja@leamnj.org.
Sara’s upbringing on a dairy farm in western PA has equipped her well to do many different tasks; it has instilled in her a deep commitment to community and a joy for service. Being ordained into the ministry of word and sacrament in the Lutheran tradition the year the ELCA began (1987), she moved to NJ to receive a call as a parish pastor, and she has never left. Since that first call she has become a Fellow in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors, founded a non-profit consulting business called The Dialogue Center, served as a Solo Pastor, a Pastor on staff, a Pastoral Associate, and as Interim Pastor (on 2 separate occasions). She also worked as a pastoral counselor with Samaritan Counseling Center in Southeastern PA serving and supporting survivors of domestic violence.
The Rev. Sara Lilja serves as Director of the Lutherans Engaging in Advocacy Ministry of NJ Office. Since coming to this work she has organized a statewide Multi-faith Advocacy Initiative, and is the Chair of the Board of the Anti-Poverty Network. She has worked on issues as far ranging as Bail Reform, Justice for Immigrants, a TANF increase, and Gun Violence prevention.
Sara is the wife of a college librarian and the mother of 2 teenage daughters. She is a leader of a Girl Scout troop. She is an outdoor enthusiast; she loves to paddle, hike and work in the garden.
