Global Mission

Lisa is a native of Washington state, but as a military dependent, she spent her childhood in six different states and two foreign countries. She has lived in South Carolina since 1979. She and her late husband Bob have two adult children (Rev. Andrew Isenhower and Dr. Robert Isenhower) and two grandchildren.

Pastor Lisa has served as the pastor of Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in Batesburg since 2015. During her time at Faith, she has served as the dean of the Western Conference for several years, chaired the First Call Theological Education Committee, served on the synod’s nominating committee twice, and she currently serves on the Synod’s “Bible team,” developing Bible study materials for God’s people in the South Carolina Synod. She also is a part of the Las Pastoras fellowship group, an online gathering of women pastors from both North America and our companion synod in Colombia, South America.

In Batesburg, Pastor Lisa chairs the Batesburg-Leesville Ministerial Alliance, serves as a mentor to a child in the Batesburg-Leesville Elementary School, chairs the Summer Literacy Program (a faith-based literacy program for at-risk children), and serves as secretary for Arts on the Ridge (a 501C3 organization that promotes the fine arts in the Batesburg-Leesville community).

In her spare time, Lisa enjoys reading, walking with her dog, teaching aerobic dance classes, and spending time with her family.

The Rev. Thomas Cassem

I spent 17 years in sales and sales management before seminary in retail, direct consumer, and industrial distribution.  All of this experience helped me relate to and minister with people in my parishes. After graduating from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in 1991, I’ve served congregations in Spartanburg SC, Mauldin SC, Hendersonville NC, and John’s Island and James Island SC.  Served in hospital chaplaincy and with Lutheran Homes of South Carolina as Senior Care Facility chaplain.  Helped start Lutheran Hospice in Upstate SC as chaplain and in other positions. Was Chair of SC Lutheran Synod’s Specialized Ministry Committee and served as Coastal Conference Dean.  Worked with J Henry Stuhr Funeral Home in Charleston, helped start the Charleston Ecclesiastical Council and TriCounty Veterans Support Network’s Spiritual Support Outpost and have served on its board for 10 years.  Serve Postpartum Support Charleston as chaplain and was on the board of its predecessor foundation for many years. Served on the board of TriCounty Family Ministries…now Neighbors Together. Served as Sea Islands Alliance of Ministries Asst. Chaplain and on that board for many years helping to bring islands’ congregations of many denominations and cultures together in ministry.

I’ve known Rev. Jerry and Janice Livingston for many years, and it was at Jerry’s request that I initially became involved in our JELC Companion Synod ministry and served on the Task Force.

I’ve been privileged to host 4 JELC Presidents and other JELC representatives on their visits to the Charleston area, and JELC Pastor Naoki Asano became a good friend during his visit here in 2005.  We remain in contact and support each other’s ministry through communication and prayer, and look forward to working together in the future.

The Rev. Miho Yasukawa

Rev. Miho Yasukawa was born and grew up in Kumamoto, Japan and is a graduate of Kyushu Jo Gakuin (current Kyushu Lutheran School).  Inspired by Lutheran missionaries from the United States, she was baptized at Oue Japan Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kumamoto.  She is serving at Fairfax Lutheran Parish.