Shelly Schwalm, DCE, MFA, serves as Assistant Professor of Christian Ministry and the Director of the DCE (Director of Christian Education) Program at Concordia University in St. Paul, MN. Shelly is an alum of Concordia St. Paul, both from the DCE program, as well as getting her master’s degree in creative writing.

Shelly grew up in rural Kansas and has spent over 10 years serving in college ministry in St. Paul, as well as serving in a large parish and church plant settings. Within the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, Shelly has served as a speaker and planner for several of the denomination’s youth gatherings, including being a Bible study leader and part of the theological advisory team. Shelly is a song and liturgy writer, treasuring the space for creativity and beauty in the Christian faith. She is part of a prayer collective called griefs + graces (@griefsandgraces) and her original hymn, “Jesus, Coming Light,” was the title track of 1517 Music’s 2021 Advent album. Shelly is an enthusiastic auntie who often gets lost in conversations, in nature and in books, and in cool neighborhoods and her garden.