Jack Klunder grew up as a Pastor’s son in a family characterized by faith, family and fun. He was exposed to the work of Young Life from an early age. So, when he and his wife Jodi moved to the McBain area to teach, they saw what an important impact Young Life could make on that community. Together with their bible study group, the Klunders are responsible for getting Young Life off the ground in the McBain area five years ago.
Jack teaches math at the local High School and Jodi teaches special education classes at the elementary school level. Given their daily involvement with students and their commitment to Young Life, it’s clear that they’ve made a significant impact of the kids in the McBain area.
They are selfless, fun, giving, extremely loyal. Students love these two and it shows when they go to school events and games, they can hardly walk past a bleacher section without being loudly greeted by students who they’ve mentored.
Not only are the Klunders teachers and Young Life leaders, but they’re also parents to young twin boys with another son on the way. Despite their busy schedule they’ve created a family rhythm that students are welcome to enter into. They’ve recently built a home on Lake Missaukee and they receive regular visits on the lake who stop to chat or play water basketball.
They model the love of Jesus through demonstrating the relationship they have as a family, with their fellow teachers and with each other. Their family is a part of their ministry with Young Life, in fact, most of the leaders in McBain are young parents. Since this is the case, the committee members provide childcare for the leaders during club and afterwards their preschoolers are often seen running around and interacting with the High School students.
It’s an amazing gift to the students to see the love of Christ modeled not only through the mentoring of their leaders but they love they model as families.
“The Klunders are great people who are always there for me and all the young people at McBain. They are so caring and outgoing, and super fun people to be around! One of the things that will stick with me with Mr. Klunder is that he would say “find a mission other than yourself.” Ever since then I’ve been applying that to my life. Mr. Klunder is such a great man who is a strong Christian and is one of the main reasons I’ve become the man that I am. Mr. Klunder has always pushed me with my faith, with becoming a better person, sports, and school. I am very grateful for the Klunders.” ~ Logan Nemeth, former student
This is just one student’s testimony to the impact that the Klunders have made on the students of McBain. We are honored to have the chance to shine the spotlight on them today and thank them for their commitment to opening their lives to students and showing Christ’s love in a very profound way.
Use this form below to have each new post from this blog delivered to your inbox, we’ll try to balance out the spam.
