who we are
Here She Stands is an online platform where Lutheran women across Australia can come together as a community, sharing their stories and talking about that which is true noble, excellent, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).
What started as a late-night idea on March 26th, 2023 became a reality only 12 weeks later when the first episodes of the Here She Stands podcast were released.
Our name is an adaptation of Martin Luther’s famous line at the Diet of Worms in 1521 when he was called by the Roman Catholic church to recant his writings. His response to their pressure was to stand firm on what he believed the Scriptures stated and say, “Here I stand; I can do no other. God help me. Amen.” After the Diet of Worms, Luther was proclaimed a heretic and his writings banned.
Our dream is to simply see all Lutheran women across Australia hold firm to the Scriptures with the same tenacity as Martin Luther so when the tribulations of this world try to knock them down, they too can hold firm to the Word of God and say. “Here I stand; I can do no other.”
Lexy Bourne
Podcast Host, Producer
I live in Tasmania with my husband, a second-year pastoral student, and our four young daughters. My days are filled with homeschooling, serving my family, church music, theology books, podcasting, and enjoying the sheer beauty of Tasmania. I am also interested in learning about persecution and how the church survives in places where their faith is forbidden.
I haven’t always been Lutheran. Up until 2020, I was Word of Faith (“name it and claim it”) and New Apostolic Reformation (New Age practices mixed with Christianity). I felt spiritually superior and was more more interested in my own “divine revelations” than what Scripture actually said. Due to my pride, I ignored any contradictions and red flags that I saw in my own doctrine.
In early 2020, the eyes of my heart were enlightened by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:17-18) and I realised that many of my beliefs were far from historical Christianity. The Scriptures came alive and I was nourished on the word of faith and sound doctrine (1 Timothy 4:6). It was a relief to no longer have to work hard to explain away much of what Scripture said in order to keep my faulty doctrines. Above all, I could finally understand and see the beauty of the gospel. Jesus Christ has truly done it all on the cross! I cannot add anything to His finished work and I am forgiven!
A couple of months later, my husband and I decided to try out the nearest Lutheran church (which was 40 minutes away) and we have been truly blessed to fellowship with this congregation every week.
If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. – 2 Timothy 2:13
Sonja van Rossen
Podcast Host, Social Media Manager, Managing Audio Editor
I am Sonja, mum of three, and wife of a Lutheran Pastor.
I have had a very adventurous upbringing. I was born in Munich Germany and during my childhood years have lived in Germany, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand. I ended up settling in South Australia as an adult where I live to this day! Growing up we attended various churches such as Open Brethren, Victory Baptist, Baptist Churches and Calvary Chapels. After my husband and I got married, the Lord led my husband to study at the Australian Lutheran College where he fell in love with the Lutheran teachings and how well the Confessions uphold Scripture. During his studies there I was also slowly immersed into the Lutheran teachings and confessions and just fell in love with them! So here we are a few years later and a few years into the pastoral ministry and I am very passionate about sharing God’s goodness to us, as revealed in His Word and how His ways are truly THE BEST ways for us! Nothing else even comes close! I hope some of this comes through our podcasts and blog posts as we share our journey and the journeys of other Australian Lutheran women!
Other passions of mine include: home-making, motherhood, home-schooling, crafts, natural living, going out for coffee with friends, date nights with my hubby and talking!
Kimberley Pfeiffer
Blog Editor, Author
Kimberley Pfeiffer is Lutheran writer who has not stopped reading, asking questions and thinking about what it means to live like a Lutheran ever since she joined the Lutheran church over twenty years ago. In love with the simul, the both-and, whilst regarding false dichotomies as one of the gravest sins of human thought, she has revelled in learning to think like a Lutheran, almost as much as she enjoys living as one. In recent years, she was given the opportunity to undertake formal theological study, majoring in Systematic Theology from Concordia Seminary St Louis. Now back in Australia, she, with her four children have followed her Pastor-husband’s call to serve in the Western districts of Victoria. In her spare time, Kimberley enjoys cooking, is a novice gardener and is puppy training an adorably clever Spoodle named Biscuits.
