Our Mission & Vision
​
​
CLIMB’s Vision:
The Christian Leadership Institute of Minnesota & Beyond was established to develop and increase Biblical understanding and to equip Christians for the harvest that lies ahead.
Our vision is to build a foundation of Biblical truth through the study and application of the Word. We endeavor to provide inspired Biblical teaching resources for local churches, ministries, and all who hunger and thirst for a deeper knowledge and understanding of the Word of God.
OUR TEAM
Joshua Mitchell
President of CLIMB International
Josh was set in as the President of CLIMB International in April of 2022, and serves among the apostolic leadership group for the Lifelink Churches. He believes in the local church as God's chosen agent to advance His Kingdom on earth and that every person and ministry plays an important role. His passion is to see every church empowered and strengthened through friendship with one another, equipping in the Word of God, and reaching others with the message of Jesus Christ. He has earned a Masters of Arts in Theological Studies as well as a Masters of Divinity. Josh continues to serve his home church as senior pastor in Apple Valley, MN, USA. He has been married to Beth for 14 years and they have 3 children who they love dearly.
Pablo Montañez
Vice-President of CLIMB International
Pablo has been in full time ministry since 2015 and before that served as a marketplace professional in financial services for 20 years, founding and managing his own translation company in 2013. He now serves as a licensed minister and local pastor in Minnesota, as well as a missionary evangelist across the globe through international partnerships. He has a Degree in Business and an Associates Degree in Biblical Studies. Pablo is also married with 4 children.
Dr. John Leitzel
Dean of Academic Affairs
John holds an earned doctorate in synthetic bio-organic chemistry and is a former university professor. He currently serves as pastor at Mercy Hill Church in Munster, Indiana, and assists in indigenous leadership development for church partnerships around the world. John has invested his life in equipping & empowering people, and frequently finds himself interconnecting cultures-including being based in Zambia with his family in 2011-13. He has been married to his wife Karen since 1991 and has two amazing daughters.
Donald J. Lonergan
Administrator & Dean of Admissions
Don has served on the Christian Leadership Institute of Minnesota's board of advisors since 2004. He graduated from St Paul Technical College, studied at WITI, and possesses a Certificate in Biblical Studies. Don has walked with the Lord since the late seventies and has been grateful to serve in several ministry capacities since. He makes his home in Hudson Wisconsin with his wife Terri and son Shawn. Don and Terri attend church at the Woodbury Minnesota Eagle Brook Campus. Don is a licensed minister through the Riverside Ministry Center and Omega Team International Apostolic Network of Ministers.
William A. Hieb
Founder, President Emeritus
Bill came to know Jesus Christ at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7th, 1981. Bill began his ministry preaching in nursing homes and at the state prison. He has been a licensed minister for the past 30 yrs. and recently stepped down from serving as the pastor of Riverside Church in Somerset, WI. He was also the president of 2 other ministries: Beside Still Waters (medical missions) and the Christian Leadership Institute of Minnesota. Bill has studied at Lakewood College, Northwestern College and received his Masters in Divinity and an honorary doctorate in ministry. He will continue to serve the Lord alongside his wife Kay until his final breath.