Growing up in West Michigan as a pastor’s kid provided Caryn Schierbeek with opportunities early on in life which fostered her spiritual growth and prepared her for a future in ministry.
“I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to attend the middle and high schools that I did and to have friends around me who stretched my world view. I believe God was shaping my heart for multicultural ministry even back then.”
Caryn Schierbeek (center) along with some Michiana Young Life friends.
Caryn first learned about Young Life from her college roommate at Grand Valley State University. “I attended my first club at Lee High School (Wyoming, MI) and was hooked! I became a volunteer leader in 2005 and also served as part-time staff with a focus on urban WyldLife for a little over two years.”
Caryn now lives in South Bend, IN with her husband Brent and their dog Woodson. Together they enjoy biking, walking and spending time with friends. Caryn enjoys reading and knitting, but also craves quiet spaces. She adds, “Even though my voice is loud, my spirit needs quiet.”
Caryn and Brent are still proud Michigan fans even though they live in Norte Dame territory. (Maybe someone needs to get them some ND Fighting Irish apparel. 😉 )
Having been on staff with Michiana Young Life as Staff Associate since May of 2014, Caryn is now stepping into a new role with the area as Michiana’s new Area Director. She follows the great leadership of former Senior Area Director Brad Sytsma, who now serves as Associate Director of Young Life’s Centurion Project.
When asked what she loves about Young Life, Caryn responded, “Young Life demonstrates the joy of Jesus Christ to kids better than anything I’ve ever seen or experienced. I remember my first trip to Timber Wolf Lake in 2005…I was overwhelmed with the sense of joy and freedom that I was able to feel and that kids were displaying. I knew Young Life was something great.”
This sense of joy and freedom is something Caryn wants every kid in her area to have the opportunity to experience.
“Last summer I struggled getting my high school friend Maddie on the bus to Young Life camp. After much convincing she ended up on our trip, but was hanging on to a lot of problems back home,” Caryn recalls.
“Our first three days at camp together were tough. As the days progressed, however, I saw her open up. The freedom and joy seemed to wash over her and she began to come to life. Day 4 was ropes course day—my least favorite day every year! Maddie and I were set to go together. We made it to the end of the course through blood, sweat and tears and Maddie was afraid to jump at the end. After time passed, we jumped off the end of the course together. Once our feet hit solid ground, we looked at each other and Maddie had tears in her eyes. She said, ‘I was praying and I felt God saying to me, Maddie, it’s time to let go. So I jumped. And I think God is telling me to let go of stuff at home, too.'”
“The Lord changed Maddie’s life at Young Life camp last summer, and now she is leading alongside of me in Michiana,” shared Caryn.
Michiana Young Life—what a group!
Caryn’s hope and prayer for Young Life of Michiana is to be a kingdom-focused area that remains faithful to God’s calling, trusts in God’s timing and grows in pursuing middle school, high school, and college-aged friends from all backgrounds.
Let’s welcome Caryn Schierbeek to her new role as Area Director of Michiana Young Life and celebrate the kingdom work already being accomplished in South Bend, Mishawaka, Granger and Niles.
To find out what’s happening in Michiana Young Life, be sure to follow them on facebook or their blog.
