Candidate 5

EXPERIENCE

Oakdale Park Church
Interim Worship Coordinator

DECEMBER 2019 - SEPTEMBER 2021 / Grand Rapids, Michigan

Responsibilities include: designing worship services, transferring in-house worship to online worship, coordinating volunteers, writing and distributing daily, seasonal devotions, and collaborating with staff on integrated projects.

Cornerstone University
Adjunct Instructor

JANUARY 2019 - MAY 2020 / Grand Rapids, Michigan

Responsibilities included: designing course syllabi and teaching courses on Intercultural Studies (Missions) and Discipleship & Evangelism while the University searched for a new professor of Intercultural Studies.

Calvin Theological Seminary
2019 Dig Coordinator

MARCH 2019 - SEPTEMBER 2019 / Grand Rapids, Michigan

Responsibilities included: admitting students to the program, arranging the program schedule, hiring and coordinating program coaches, and working with the program director to design a cohesive learning experience that nurtures faith.

Race Relations & Office of Social Justice, Christian Reformed Church in North America
Racial Justice Team Leader

MAY 2017 - SEPTEMBER 2018 / Grand Rapids, Michigan

Social Justice responsibilities included: supervising staff, managing interview processes, coordinating fundraising, managing the budget, managing awareness raising efforts around several justice issues. Race Relations responsibilities included: teaching and leading workshops at churches and schools, convening several committees, developing and coordinating racial justice awareness training for supervisors, convening and leading staff discussions, and writing on the subject of racial justice.

Race Relations, Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA)
Interim Co-Director

SEPTEMBER 2016 - APRIL 2017 / Grand Rapids, Michigan

Responsibilities included: supervising four staff persons, organizing annual reviews and professional development, coordinating the editing of staff position descriptions, and managing the budget.

Faith Formation Ministries & Office of Social Justice, CRCNA
Collaborative Program Developer

JULY 2013 - APRIL 2017 / Grand Rapids, Michigan

Faith Formation responsibilities included: supervising seven regional staff, writing, preaching, facilitating workshops, managing the budget, and coordinating collaborative efforts with other ministries. Social Justice responsibilities include serving on and convening several committees, managing awareness raising efforts around the issues of abortion and Middle East peace, and for three years, leading the Linked Engagement Action Programs (LEAP) pilot project in partnership with Christian Reformed World Missions and World Renew.

Office of Social Justice, CRCNA
Seminary Intern

JANUARY 2012 - JUNE 2013 / Grand Rapids, Michigan

Responsibilities included: creating a Sanctity of Human Life campaign for the denomination in partnership with other staff, researching issues for weekly newsletters, and editing materials for biblical and theological content.

Department of English, Calvin College
Festival Assistant

FEBRUARY 2007 - DECEMBER 2011 / Grand Rapids, Michigan

Responsibilities included: researching and inviting presenters; managing online registration, transportation, and donations; and hosting presenters for the Festival of Faith & Writing and Youth Writing Festival.

Pregnancy Resource Center
Special Events Coordinator

JANUARY 1999 - APRIL 2000 / Grand Rapids, Michigan

Responsibilities included: planning and coordinating two annual fundraising events; developing and managing relationships with supporting churches; recruiting and managing volunteers; and thanking donors.

EDUCATION

Calvin Theological Seminary — Master of Divinity

2007 - 2013

While at Calvin Seminary, I served as a student senator, treasurer for the Mosaic Club, a member of the Social Justice Club, an intern for Hope Equals, and was a contributing writer for the student newspaper. I was awarded the Bavinck Scholarship from the Bavinck Institute at Calvin Theological Seminary. I also had the opportunity to take two January term courses in Latin America with Dr. Mariano Avila--one in Nicaragua and one in Honduras.

Grand Valley State University — Bachelor of Arts, Liberal Studies

1996 - 1998

After completing course work at Grand Rapids Community College and Michigan State University, I finished my degree at Grand Valley State University.

ORDINATION AND CERTIFICATIONS

Institute of Cultural Affairs — Technology of Participation Facilitation Methods
Since November 2015

International Institute for Restorative Practices — Restorative Practices for Congregations
Since October 2015

Oakdale Park Christian Reformed Church — Ordained Minister of the Word
Since January 2014

Office of Social Justice, Christian Reformed Church in North America — Facilitator
January 2012 - December 2018

Race Relations, Christian Reformed Church in North America — Facilitator
September 2011 - December 2018

ECUMENICAL AND INTERFAITH LEADERSHIP

Churches for Middle East Peace
Leadership Council

2018-2021 / Washington D.C.

I recently resigned from my position serving on the Leadership Council for Churches for Middle East Peace.

Alliance of Virtue
Participant

2018 / Washington D.C.

I participated in gathering of more than 300 religious leaders (Muslim, Christian, Jewish and Sikh) at the invitation of Pastor Bob Roberts (Northwood Church, Texas). The event was hosted by Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah, and culminated in the issuing of The Washington Declaration, which condemns violence and promotes religious freedom, and is a follow-up to the Marrakesh Declaration.

Christian Reformed Church Middle East Delegation
Leader

2017 / Egypt, Israel and the Palestinian territories, and Lebanon

I led a three week delegation of four Christian Reformed Church leaders to the Middle East to learn how we can build and grow partnerships in the region. The second half of the trip was in partnership with Churches for Middle East Peace.

Interfaith Subcommittee of the CRCNA Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Committee
Member

2015-2018 / Grand Rapids, Michigan

I served as a staff liaison to this denominational committee under the leadership of Executive Director, Dr. Steven Timmermans.

Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) Annual Interfaith & Government Outreach event
Religious Observer

2016 / Washington D.C.

I represented the CRCNA at this day of meetings, convened by ISNA, in Washington D.C. My role was to observe the meetings of Muslim leaders, and to participate in their visit to Congress.

Reformed Church of America Global Mission, Christian Reformed World Missions, the Al Amana Center and World Renew Consultation on Islam
Participant

2014 / Italy

I traveled to Italy to meet with a group of thirty CRC and RCA leaders involved in Muslim ministry to discuss how we can partner together in our work. The meeting resulted in the creation of cohorts for RCA and CRC pastors to learn about Islam.

Christian Churches Together (CCT) Annual Meeting and Consultation on Religious Persecution
Participant

2012, 2013 (Annual Meeting) 2016 (Consultation) / Tennessee, Texas, and New Jersey

I participated as an ecumenical member in CCT meetings two years in a row, first as a Seminary student, and then, as CRC staff. The annual events focused on racial reconciliation, and I led a workshop on immigration at one of them.

WRITING SAMPLES

SERMON SAMPLES