About Us


Our Staff

Ken Carrothers, Senior Pastor

Before coming to Good Shepherd, Pastor Ken served two congregations in Idaho. A graduate of Luther College in Decorah, IA and Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN, Ken is an ordained ELCA pastor. He has been a Director of Youth and Children’s Ministries, an Operational Manager of an erosion control firm, an Assistant Manager of a grocery store, and spent five years in Student Affairs on a college campus. Ken also spent nine summers on camp staffs, including six at Christikon.

Ken and his wife, Elisa, have two daughters, Tomina and Magreta. Ken enjoys spending time with his family, reading, strategic board games, movies and the outdoors.

Elizabeth Liggett, Associate Pastor

Pastor Elizabeth grew up in Roundup, then went off to Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. Forty years later, in October 2017, she and husband Derek Grimmell were delighted to move back to Montana. Elizabeth attended Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa, and has served four different churches of varying sizes in Nebraska, Iowa, and Kansas. Derek’s current position as a neuropsychologist at the Veteran’s Administration Clinic brought them to Billings.

Elizabeth works part-time for St. John’s Lutheran Ministries as a hospice chaplain. She also has “vice-pastor” duties for Grace Lutheran Church in Barber, MT, providing oversight and preaching 1-2 Sundays per month.

Elizabeth likes knitting, bicycle riding, making and eating soup, NPR, hanging with their dog Sheba, hiking, living near family (who still live in Roundup). Her spirit is lifted by the vistas with which we’re blessed in the Yellowstone Valley.

Renée Wizeman, The Village After School Director

Renée Wizeman is the director of The Village Afterschool Enrichment Program, which opened in August 2018. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and public relations-journalism, and a master’s degree in education. Renée has an extensive background in communications, from newspaper editor to spokesperson and communications director for a major non-profit in western Montana. Her teaching experience includes preschool, elementary, and college students. She volunteers in her local PTA and is the current chair for Montana PTA Reflections arts program.

Jo Kroll, Preschool Director

Jo Kroll is the director of the LCGS Preschool. She graduated from MSU-Bozeman with a degree in elementary education with a minor in dance. She taught first grade in Las Vegas for five years before returning to her home state of Montana with her husband to raise their family. Over the next 15 years, Jo sought both employment and volunteer opportunities to continue teaching and working with children.

Jo’s connection to the Good Shepherd Preschool began when she enrolled her daughter in the program. In 2018, Jo joined the preschool staff and was soon elevated to a Lead Teacher of the 4 & 5 year- old program. Jo transitioned to the role of Director in June 2021.

As lifelong educators, Jo’s parents and husband have inspired her faith and commitment to serve the Lord by serving children. Jo sees her primary role in helping children understand and experience that they are a gift from God and that they are loved by Him. Jo and her husband, Brian, have three teenage daughters that fill their home with singing, art and laughter.


Our Mission

To rejoice in the grace of God, teach the message of Jesus Christ, and minister faithfully to all people.

As a congregation, we seek to:

  • Move beyond simply believing in God to being in a relationship with Jesus Christ as He is the one who empowers us into service for others.
  • Respond to the needs of all people in all circumstances as a caring congregation of ministers who work diligently to foster relationships with each other so all may realize God’s grace through Christ.
  • Be a vibrant center of Scripture-based education and dialog, and a teaching and learning center of the Word. We strive to be a center of innovative worship that remains true to our Lutheran heritage and theology.
LCGS Preschool

Good Shepherd Preschool is a ministry of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd. Our preschool has served the Billings community since 1975.

We provide an environment that encourages children to view themselves and others as unique individuals and capable learners. We encourage children to develop a healthy self-esteem, concern for the needs of others, a sense of community and a spirit of sharing.

For more information, please visit our website at lcgspreschool.com.

The Village Afterschool Enrichment

The Village is a ministry of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd. The Village is the afterschool program that Billings has been waiting for.

The Village provides transportation from selected schools to Good Shepherd’s new Education Building. We feature a well-rounded array of enrichment, including music, drama, art, cooking, and practical arts. Our program offers project-based learning, fitness and recreation, homework assistance, and academic enrichment. The Village focuses on character and personal development, and spiritual growth, fostered in a faith-based program.

For more information, visit our website at villageafterschool.org/or on Facebook.

Christikon Bible Camp
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Christikon is a  Bible Camp located in the Rocky Mountains just north of Yellowstone National Park, near the heart of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Area, in some of the loveliest country in the world, about 47 miles southwest of Big Timber, Montana.

LCGS houses the offices for Christikon, a Lutheran Bible Camp for youth and family. Christikon staff may be contacted at 406-932-6300 in summer, or 406-656-1969 during the off-season. More information is available at their website Christikon.org.


Using Our Facility

Child Baptism Record

If you are interested in having your child baptized or in being baptized yourself, please download and complete this form, and then return it to the church. We will set up a meeting with the pastor.

Request to Conduct a Fundraiser

We want every group to have success in their fundraising endeavors. To that end, our fundraising policy allows LCGS to coordinate all the events happening at the church. All organizations planning any fundraising activity should complete this form and return it to the church office for Council approval.

Facility Use Form

If you would like to use the church for a function, we ask that a Facility Use form be filled out and returned to the church office at least one month prior to the event. Once we review it, we’ll contact you for finalization of plans.