Over the last half-year, we’ve had the joy of welcoming another 10 new Young Life staff to the Western Great Lakes Region. We give thanks for the women and men God is raising up to lead in various roles around the region. Take a moment to get to know them and give them a warm welcome!
“May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us – yes, establish the work of our hands.” (Psalm 90:17)
Stacy Cruce
Grand Rapids City YoungLives Coordinator
Stacy is a West Michigan native who met her husband in Memphis after a radical heart change and rebirth. She served with Urban YoungLives in downtown Memphis and her husband attended discipleship school and streets ministry. They are proud parents to four children: Braylon, Kallie, Samara, and Josiah. God called them back to West Michigan several years ago and they are active in The EDGE Urban Church and their Hudsonville community.
As a former teen mom, Stacy longs for young adults and their children to experience the joys of following Jesus. She is excited to see young lives restored and renewed through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Fun Fact: When she’s not hanging with teen moms, Stacy enjoys being a cosmetologist.
Evan Davies
Kalamazoo Young Life Church Partner
Evan grew up in the greater Grand Rapids area and graduated with a degree in Psychology from GVSU and is working on an MA at Western Theological Seminary. He participated in YL in high school but was lead to join staff through taking classes at Western Theological Seminary.
“As I begin this new chapter in ministry and my own life, I am excited to see the power of prayer put into action and see how God uses those prayers.”
Fun Fact: Evan recently started making his own digital music.
Meredith Dunn
Kalamazoo Young Life Capernaum Coordinator
Meredith grew up attending church with her parents and younger sister near Philadelphia. She then attended Syracuse University and completed her master’s degree in speech-language pathology at Emerson College. Now she and her husband Jeremy have two boys, Jonah and Samuel.
Meredith loves Young Life’s mission to connect with adolescents and young adults of all abilities and life experiences and to show the love of Christ.
Fun Fact: She loves traveling and exploring new places with her family.
Eric DeVries
Eastern Ottawa Young Life Teacher Staff
Eric grew up in Allendale where he attended Allendale Christian, Unity, and then GVSU. He is married to Lindsey and has a daughter Josie and a dog Maze. Eric has been a leading Young Life since his freshman year of college in 2011, first as a WyldLife leader at Allendale Middle School and then as a Church Partner at Searchlight Ministries he led at Riley St Middle School. Eric transitioned to being a middle school teacher at Jenison Christian School last year and this year he is combining his two loves.
“I love Young Life because it gives kids a chance to hear the best news for them EVERY WEEK from someone they know and trust.”
Favorite Hobby: Golfing
Ben Kroeze
Church Partner at Hager Park Church in Jenison & leading Jenison WyldLife
Ben is a Calvin Christian grad who just recently graduated from Kuyper College in December. While in college Ben led Capernaum in the Grand Rapids SW area. Since fall he has been working part-time and will be going full time in January as a Church Partner at Hager Park.
Eastern Ottawa Area Director Ryan Elders shared this about Ben: “Ben has a heart for the Lord and all kids. He loves Young Life and the church!”
Paris Manuel, Jr.
Grand Rapids City Young Life Mission Staff at Alger Middle WyldLife
Paris and his wife LaShone Manuel are the Youth Pastors of Lighthouse Full Life Center Church and have been leading at Alger Middle for two years. Grand Rapids City Area Director Lateefah Gofoe shared, “Paris is great at his role because he so effortlessly cares for young people and loves to play basketball and attend games.”
Jonah Pit
Staff Associate for Eastern Ottawa Young Life
Jonah was born in Jenison but grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He moved back to West Michigan to attend GVSU and graduated in 2019. He’s a WyldLife kid turned Young Life leader.
Jonah loves that YL is all about relationships: “First and foremost, a relationship with Jesus and the life that comes with that. Then it’s about relationships with students & leaders in all aspects of life. Leaders are around for every kind of situation in a kids’ life, and kids need that. Consistency is so important, and YL does that so well.”
Fun Fact: In high school, Jonah worked for the Milwaukee Bucks and got to be on the court during warm-ups with the players.
Maria Tchakarov
Eastern Ottawa Young Life Mission staff, serving Coopersville WyldLife
Maria grew up on the east side of Michigan and moved to Grand Rapids in 2014 to attend GVSU. She is planting roots in Grand Rapids now working parttime with YL and full-time in a marketing position. Maria met Jesus at Rockbridge in July of 2013 and led Young Life for five years in Coopersville before joining staff.
Eastern Ottawa Young Life Associate Area Director Ryan White shared this about Maria: “Maria has a very passionate personality and becomes instant friends with anyone she meets. She has recently felt a strong call to help start Coopersville WyldLife and has been an answer to many prayers to help the Coopersville community be better sustained.”
Fun Fact: Maria loves winter & Christmas time.
Patty Woodhouse (pictured far right) and Becky Bagnall (pictured far left)
Central Grand Rapids YoungLives Coordinators
Becky & Patty are serving as Co-Coordinators for Central Grand Rapids YoungLives. Area Director Jenna Perkins shared this: “Becky is back on staff after taking few years off. Becky & her husband Luke are parents to three young kiddos: Leo, Reeva & Hendrix. Patty has been involved with Central GR YoungLives for many years as a mentor but recently stepped into this new role. Patty is married to Woody & they have two daughters, Jill & Colleen. We are thrilled to have Patty & Becky on our team!”
