This past month Young Life’s Western Great Lakes Region brought on three new staff members and we’d love to introduce them to you. We couldn’t be more excited to have these three strong, passionate women join our team.
Alaina Smith: Area Director, Little Traverse Bay Area — Alaina Smith is the new Area Director in the Little Traverse Bay Area (Charlevoix, Petoskey and Harbor Springs). Alaina, her husband Mike and their two year old daughter, Aubrey, just moved to Petoskey from Ann Arbor (Go Blue!). Alaina is big sports fan and enjoys watching, playing and coaching. Alaina and Mike both love to cook and are always trying new recipes/competing in the kitchen. As a family they enjoy swimming, biking, running, and spending time outside as well as in coffee shops. Alaina also enjoys doing crafts, mostly painting bible verses and inspirational quotes on wood from her Grandpa’s workshop. The Smith family is excited to be in Petoskey and are looking forward to meeting all the amazing people in the Little Traverse Bay Young Life community. As the new Area Director she prays that God will help her:
- Encourage current leaders and committee members.
- Draw more individuals into the exciting vision of the area.
- Pray without ceasing for the mission of Young Life in Little Traverse Bay.
- Above all, introduce more kids to Christ and help them grow in their faith.
Caryn Schierbeek: Staff Associate II, Michiana Area — Caryn will be serving as the team leader at John Adams High School, and mentoring the team at Clay High School in South Bend. Her first Young Life experience was in college as a volunteer leader at Lee High School in Wyoming, MI. After witnessing goldfish spitting at her first club, Caryn was hooked! She loves the joyful way Young Life shares The Gospel with high school and middle school friends. Caryn has a passion for kids on the fringe and is excited to pursue God’s calling in multicultural ministry. Caryn recently married her husband, Brent, in December. Together, Brent and Caryn enjoy long walks and binge-watching Netflix. Caryn’s guilty pleasures are ABC Family movies, online shopping and cheesy popcorn.
(You can connect with Caryn on Michiana’s Facebook here or through her blog here.)
Savannah Smith: Staff Associate II, Central Grand Rapids Area — Savannah has been a volunteer leader at East Grand Rapids High for past three years is excited to continue to work with the East Grand Rapids Ministries. She became a follower of Christ in high school through the love and support of high school teachers, friends, and the outreach of a local church. Savannah did not grow up attending church but these mentors in her life showed her that the church is the greatest source of love and hope. She loves sharing this news with high schoolers. When Savannah is not working, she loves watching Michigan State basketball and football, enjoying Lake Michigan, and cooking (and eating) food, especially Mexican food.
(You can connect with Savannah on Twitter here and Facebook here.)
Join with us in both welcoming and praying for these new staff members as they take steps toward leading God’s vision in their areas.
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