Over the past month, the Western Great Lakes Region had the privilege of welcoming three new Staff Associates to our growing regional team. We’d love for you to meet them, so without further ado…
INTRODUCING, Andrew Collins.
- ABOUT ANDREW: Andrew grew up in Fountain, MI and came to southwest Michigan in 2003. He met his wife Krissy in 2004 and has been married to her for 11 years. They have an amazing 10-year-old daughter Kiya who gets to go to WyldLife at Lakeshore this year.
- HIS POSITION: Staff Associate II for Southwest Michigan Young Life. Andrew will work at building relationships with students, staff, parents and donors at Lakeshore Middle and High Schools. You can read more about Andrew or contact him here.
- HIS GUILTY PLEASURE/HOBBIES: “I like vanilla ice cream with chocolate topping stirred into a delicious soft mixture. I enjoy physical activity like basketball and running. Family time is a must.”
- HIS YOUNG LIFE STORY: While Andrew is brand new to Young Life, he says, “[Young Life] has broadened my view of how Jesus met us where we are at, stepped into our world, didn’t try to change us with words but with witness. We get to do that with kids.”
- HIS PRAYER: “That we would reach kids in ways that we’ve never thought possible in the past. That God would open our eyes to what is working well with Young Life and what may need tweaking in the future.”
INTRODUCING, Mackenzie Frederick.
- ABOUT MACKENZIE: Mackenzie grew up in Grand Blanc, MI with her parents and older brother. She attended Lake Fenton Community Schools. She’s been part of Young Life since her first WyldLife club 10 years ago. Mackenzie moved to the Eastern Ottawa area to attend GVSU.
- HER POSITION: Staff Associate for Eastern Ottawa Young Life. Mackenzie will focus on overseeing and advancing the ministry of Young Life in Hudsonville. This means she gets to continue leading at Riley Street WyldLife, and will begin leading at Hudsonville Young Life. She is also the Middle School Ministry Intern at Jamestown Harbor Church. You can read more about Mackenzie or contact her here.
- HER HOBBIES: All things outdoor: going for hikes, exploring new places and sunset chasing.
- HER YOUNG LIFE STORY: “Young Life introduced me to a relationship with Jesus and helped me find joy in life. During High School I attended Young Life club, camp, and campaigners. During my junior and senior year of high school, I became a volunteer WyldLife leader. In the summer of 2011, I volunteered at Timber Wolf Lake on Work Crew. During college, I served on Summer Staff at Timber Wolf Lake and had the privilege of being a leader, team leader, and Student Staff member at Riley Street WyldLife … There’s something about Young Life that keeps me coming back, the invitation to experience the Gospel in a new way, the life-long relationships, and the way that God works in a community. I love Young Life and leading because I know what it is like to have a leader walk beside me through thick and thin, pointing me to Christ throughout the way.”
- HER HOPE & PRAYER: “My hope is to encourage kids and leaders specifically in the Hudsonville community in their relationships with Christ and listen to their stories, just as others have done for me.”
INTRODUCING…Caleb Ellens.
- ABOUT CALEB: Caleb grew up in Jenison, MI. He’s the son of Tom and Lonna Ellens and the youngest of four kids with three older sisters.
- HIS POSITION: Staff Associate for Michiana Young Life. Caleb will be working at Penn High School (Mishawaka, IN). You can read more about Caleb or contact him here.
- HIS YOUNG LIFE STORY: “I was involved with YoungLife for three years in high school. I became a leader my sophomore year of college and have been active with Young Life ever since…I love the relationships we get to build with people that can last a lifetime.”
- HIS GUILTY PLEASURE/HOBBIES: “Justin Timberlake and Jimmy Fallon are my happy place.”
- HIS PRAYER: “My prayer is that we can make a significant impact on the Penn community that can be an asset to the students and staff.”
Please join us in giving a warm welcome to Andrew, Mackenzie and Caleb! We are confident God will use them to do great things for the advancement of His Kingdom here on earth.
