Julie joined the LCMS Foundation as a Gift Planning Counselor in April 2020.  She formerly worked in Lutheran churches and schools as a Director of Family Life and teacher.  Julie works to educate and empower individual Christians about how they can distribute God’s blessings to the people they love and to the ministries they care about once the Lord calls them home. In addition, Julie works with congregations to establish and strengthen endowment funds as well as other long-term ministry objectives. Her warm and welcoming approach to gift planning is not only comforting, but helps congregational leaders feel confident and prepared that they will be the best faithful stewards of the gifts that their beloved constituents provide. Julie is married to Bob Burgess, principal at St. Paul Lutheran school in Ann Arbor.  They are blessed with 3 adult children, the world’s best son-in-law and two beautiful granddaughters.