We’re overjoyed to once again welcome eleven new staff members to the WGLR Young Life team. These individuals are committed to the Lord and the work of building His Kingdom. Each one cares deeply about kids and seeing them come to know the Lord. Please help us give them a warm welcome!
Meet Jake Bajema. Jake is from Grandville, MI and serves the Grand Rapids SouthWest area as Staff Associate. He’s a Hope College grad who moved on to Nashville to get his Masters in Sports Administration from Belmont University. Jake has been a leader for Grandville Young Life for the past 5 years. This October he will marry Annika Zandee who he met through Young Life. We are excited to have Jake join the team and serve in the South Christian community!
Meet Wynn Brown (pictured left), new Staff Associate for Michiana Young Life. Wynn is from Columbus, OH and a graduate of the University of Notre Dame. He’s been a volunteer leader in Michiana for the past four years and a team leader at Clay HS for the past two. “Wynn played an integral role in building up the ministry at Clay High School over the past four years. His heart for Christ and kids is evident in the way he leads his life and how he shares the story of Young Life with everyone he encounters.” —Caryn Schierbeek, Area Director, Michiana Young Life
Meet Abbie Chamberlain, Young Life Church Partner at Harbor Life Church in Grandville (partnering with Grand Rapids SouthWest Young Life). Abbie is from Aurora, IL where she has been involved with Young Life since high school. God used her YL leader to bring her back to Him and helped her read the Bible for the first time in her life. She has since graduated from Hope College, served at Camp Geneva, and walked alongside Holland Young Life girls. Abbie says:“I can’t wait to bridge the gap between the church and Young Life as I step into a church partnership at Harbor Life.”
Meet Joel Boersma, Church Partner & Young Life College Leader in Holland. Joel grew up in Zeeland where he loved all things sports and Hope College. He graduated from Hope in 2012 and then earned a Masters of Divinity from Duke University. He now serves as the College Pastor at Pillar Church in Holland. “We’re pumped to have Joel begin Young Life College on Hope’s campus this Fall. Joel is a Hope grad who never wanted to leave, just wanted to be a student forever! Joel is a relational beast and has developed great relationships all over campus.” —Chris Hofland, Area Director, Greater Holland Young Life
Meet Michelle McGlaun, Youth Development Specialist at the GR Center for Community Transformation working in a unique partnership with Grand Rapids City Young Life. At the Center, Michelle serves high schoolers from alternative schools and residential programs. “Michelle is a mature Christian with a heart for developing young people—their life skills, soft skills, and heart for Christ. She wants to help young people plug into their true source.” —Lateefah Gofoe, Area Director, Grand Rapids City Young Life
Meet Katherine Palms, Staff Associate in Leland, MI. Katherine grew up in Grosse Pointe, MI and was a WyldLife and Young Life kid. After college, Katherine found herself in Leland with a heart for starting Young Life there. Little did she know that people had been praying for someone to lead Young Life in Leland. “Katherine loves well. We see this with kids, leaders, donors, and community members. She is going to thrive in the small community of Leland. Her love for the Lord is evident, and above all else, she desires to follow him and trust him every step of the way. Seeing this kind of faith is contagious for those around Katherine.” —Erin Iafrate, Area Director, Grand Traverse Young Life
Meet Kaiyeluh Schut, Mission Staff for Grand Rapids City Young Life. Kaiyeluh holds an Associate’s Degree in Intercultural Ministry, has completed Mission School through Bridge Street House of Prayer, and is bilingual in Swahili. Her gifts and skills allow her to connect with and serve the ESL & Refugee students at Burton Middle School where she is the Team Leader. Kaiyeluh adores her sweet son Hezekiah and is passionate about pouring into the lives of others through discipleship. “Kaiyeluh is a ray of sunshine wherever she goes; she never hesitates to gather the group in prayer and intercede for the weary. We’re grateful to have her energy and spirit on the team!” —Lateefah Gofoe, Area Director, Grand Rapids City Young Life
Meet Leela Thomas-Parrish (pictured middle). Leela is a Staff Associate in Holland. She calls Erie, IL home, where her father is a pastor and former YL staff. She is a recent Hope College graduate and while completing a major in Athletic Training, Leela was a volunteer ministry team leader at Zeeland Young Life. “During her time at Hope, Leela lived the life of a YL leader. Her life consists of developing meaningful relationships with those around her. Leela looks to be present and aware of those around her.” —Chris Hofland, Area Director, Greater Holland Young Life
Meet Maria Walston, Mission Staff for Hopkins Young Life (one of the newer areas in the WGLR). Maria is from the Metro-Detroit area and moved to Hopkins about a year ago. She is taking classes with Christian Leaders Institute and in her free time, you can find her at Lake Michigan. Maria says, “I love the Young Life way of loving kids, earning the right to be heard, and then using that right to point them back to Jesus Christ. I have been praying for Hopkins Young Life to continue to grow because we are still fairly new. I catch myself daydreaming about how many high schoolers we could point to Christ if we had a few more leaders. A dream that other leaders and I have is expanding our reach to the towns around us.”
Meet Andrea Walters (pictured right). Andrea is Capernaum Coordinator in Eastern Ottawa who is helping launch a brand new Capernaum ministry there. Andrea graduated from Grand Valley State University in 2014 and has been working fulltime at Goodwill Industries while also being a volunteer leader for Northeast Grand Rapids Capernaum. Andrea and her husband Chase live in Jenison. “Andrea comes to EOYL with experience leading Capernaum as well as a huge heart for special needs students.” —Ryan White, Associate Area Director for Eastern Ottawa Young Life
Meet Cindy Wilhelm, Lakeshore YoungLives Coordinator working with teen mothers in the Muskegon area. Prior to this role, Cindy and her husband Grant served on YL Committee and when Cindy learned about YoungLives she knew God had been preparing her for this role long before she knew it. Several years ago she had created a Bible Study for teen mothers but was unsure how or when it would be used. “Cindy has an incredible amount of compassion and cares deeply about creating space for conversation and relationship and for young mothers to have the support and partnership on their journey.” —Josh DeHaan, Area Director, Lakeshore Young Life
