CENTER for STUDENT MISSIONS

Erin Cape

Erin is originally from Green Bay, Wisconsin. She is attending Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, majoring in Urban Ministry and Youth Ministry. Erin has been on several service trips at camps, in inner-city Milwaukee, and shadowed a CSM trip this spring. She worked at a Bible camp in northern Wisconsin for three summers as a counselor for girls ranging in age from second grade all the way through high school. She currently volunteers at Inner City Impact, leading a small group Bible study for middle school girls. Erin loves espresso drinks, reading, researching anything she does not know much about, listening to and playing music, and watching documentaries on international social injustice. Erin’s passion for urban ministry grew out of the service project in Milwaukee she was part of in high school. “As I work with CSM this summer, I hope to spur on that same desire in students and help them see the needs of the people and the opportunities for ministry in the city.”

Mary Beth Crouch

Mary Beth is from Camas, Washington, but is attending school in Pennsylvania at Waynesburg University. She has finished her sophomore year in Biblical and Ministry Studies with an emphasis on children and youth. During spring break 2007, Mary Beth attended a mission trip with CSM to Philadelphia. She has also been to Mexico twice helping out at an orphanage. In high school she was a middle school youth leader at Columbia Presbyterian Church and has also worked two summers as a youth intern. In Waynesburg, Mary Beth is a co-leader of the youth group for high school and middle school students at First United Methodist Church. She is a Young Life leader at West Greene High School and overall loves working with kids. Some of Mary Beth’s interests include being outdoors, playing volleyball, and doing crafts. “I have a desire to work with CSM this summer to not only serve, but also to help guide others in understanding Christ’s calling of servant hood. I want to make relationships and help stretch comfort zones, for me as well as others.”

Bryant Crubaugh

Bryant grew up in Fort Wayne Indiana and will be going into his Junior year at Taylor University in Upland Indiana studying Biblical Literature and Sociology. He has been on mission trips to El Salvador and took a CSM trip to Los Angeles in high school. Bryant has worked with middle school students for four years at local youth groups and campus life. He is on a Youth Conference (for high school students) planning cabinet at Taylor. He plays multiple instruments, loves anything with peanut butter and chocolate mixed, and really enjoys sitting around and just talking. “I am looking forward to engaging with the problems of the city and serving with students while seeking Christ through those interactions. My goal is to love my neighbors with all my heart and my entire mind.”

Mindie Fields

Mindie Fields grew up in Indiana and will be a senior at Ball State University in Muncie where she is majoring in Psychology as well as minoring in Sociology and Counseling Psych. At Ball State, she is actively involved in the Christian Campus House where she serves as President as well as a member of the praise band. Mindie has been on three mission trips: New Orleans; Appalachia, KY, and Guatemala. She was also a summer high school youth helper at her home church in Indianapolis for two summers. In her free time, Mindie loves being outside, hanging out with her awesome friends, and laughing till it hurts. She has also inadvertently started collecting greeting cards with dachshund puppies on them. “I am excited to work with CSM in Chicago this summer so I can discover God’s heart for the broken and learn how to love without limits!”

JD Klippenstein

JD is from Reno, Nevada and attends the University of Nevada, Reno, majoring in anthropology with a minor in ethnic studies. The short term mission trips JD has taken have been to Ensenada, Mexico twice, to Guatemala once and with CSM to Los Angeles once. All of the trips were serviced based where JD worked very hard the entire time. JD is a guitar teacher which gives him the opportunity to work with lots of kids. This has allowed him to get pretty good at dealing with youngins’. At church he was on the leadership team of his youth group, and since graduating, he has helped out with the high school worship team. JD was also a mentor at his high school. JD loves to play guitar and teach. He also makes YouTube sketch comedy videos with a couple of friends, and is obsessed with The Office. “I am really big on loving your neighbor as yourself. So, the main reason I am working with CSM is, firstly, to get better at doing that. Secondly, I hope to show people that there is love in the world and more importantly that God loves them. Thirdly, I also hope to show high schoolers that is it cool to love complete strangers.”

Aaron LaMonica

Aaron LaMonica was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. He will be a sophomore in the fall of 2008 at Anderson University in Indiana, majoring in Christian Ministries. In the past, Aaron has been on mission trips to Jamaica, Atlanta, Mexico, Los Angeles and Utah. He has done a variety of work in each place, including hanging out with children, building homes, and serving food to the people of the streets. Aaron has been very involved in his youth group since middle school. He was on the student leadership team and helped plan many events for the group. Aaron loves baseball and is a hugh fan of the Atlanta Braves and Arizona Diamondbacks! “This summer with CSM, I look forward to a unique experience that will change the lives of many, including my own.”

Julie Martin

Julie is from Ruston, LA, the home of Louisiana Tech University. She majored in Family and Child Studies with a concentration in Applied Child Development. While in college, she attended a month long mission trip to Costa Rica and helped with hurricane relief in Pensacola and New Orleans. Julie has lead two junior high girls’ bible studies and volunteers with her youth group whenever they need her. She has been on two CSM mission trips to Washington, DC with her youth group and to Chicago as a CSM High School Intern. Julie was on staff during the Summer of 2007 in Nashville. She enjoys playing guitar, singing, sitting in coffee shops and playing with children! “This summer I want to create a passion in the youth’s heart for urban ministry in Chicago.”

Tyler McCord

Tyler was born in Reading, MI and currently attends Spring Arbor University majoring in Social Work. He has served on two mission trips to New York City and one to Puerto Rico. Tyler worked with teens for several years while in high school, mainly through Crossroads Farm, a rural ministry for teens. This past year (2008), Tyler was the Spiritual Life Advisor for his dorm floor and was able to lead Bible Studies and organize other events for the guys on his floor. Tyler loves big cities, but loves the wilderness just as much. He loves being outdoors and just spending time with other people. “My goal for this summer is to challenge CSM students, while being challenged myself, to discover how God is calling us to make a difference not only in Chicago, but at home as well. I look forward to forming new relationships and living in the city.”

Heather Rickert

Heather Rickert is from Clearwater, Florida and is entering her senior year at Warner Southern College as a church ministry major and a congregational outreach minor. She has been on several mission trips within the United States including Atlanta, Nashville, and Washington, DC The last two were with CSM. Heather has volunteered with the youth at High Point Church of God for three years and has been a youth intern for Bayside Community Church of God. During the internship she planned and led bible studies, sermons, and outreach events for both junior and senior high youth. Heather loves the mountains and the beach. She enjoys hiking, taking road trips, and camping; as well as writing poetry and singing. “I have a passion for loving people. My heart is called to youth and inner city missions, I want to serve Christ with my life and pursue him with everything I have.”

Hannah Schultz

Hannah grew up in East Dundee, IL and has always loved Chicago. She will be a senior at North Park University in the fall of 2008, majoring in Biblical and Theological Studies with a Psychology minor. Hannah loves the CUBS, enjoys reading, playing basketball and getting to know new people. Hannah has been on multiple trips to New Orleans to do hurricane relief work. She also spent time in Zambia, Africa working with school children to improve their English. Hannah fell in love with the children in Africa and will lead a trip to return to Zambia through NPU next winter. “The reason I am excited to work with CSM this summer is because after living in Chicago the past few years, I have realized many of the problems the city and want to do something to help. Working with CSM provides a tangible way for me to help the people and city I love as well as enabling me to help others do the same.”

Stefanie VanAlstyne

Stefanie was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan and graduated in 2003 with a BS in Educational Ministries/Bible from Cornerstone University. She decided to pursue this specific degree in hopes that it would guide her to find a job that would help share her passion for Christ with children, teens and adults. And, that is what happened! Stefanie has worked as a Summer Camp Administrator/Outdoor Environmental School Instructor at a camp Hillsdale, Michigan for the past four years. Although she loved that job, she has always had a heart for urban work. She has been on several urban missions trips to Atlanta, Detroit and Chicago and knew that her long term goal would be to find work in urban ministry. In fact, her participating in a mission trip with CSM helped formulate those ideals in 2001. “I am excited to be working with CSM as I long to see God’s love impact many people and my own life while serving Him in Chicago.”

Amanda Weier

Amanda is from Carol Stream, Illinois. She graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Hispanic Studies. Amanda has served on mission trips in inner city Chicago, the Dominican Republic, New York City and New Orleans. She has also led Bible Studies among her peers throughout high school and college. Social Justice is heavy on Amanda’s heart. “The opportunity that CSM provides attracted me not only because it addresses current issues through active engagement with those undergoing struggles but it is also progressive in nature as city hosts educate the youth and future leaders of these problems.”

Becca Weinbrenner

Becca is a born and raised small-town Iowan girl! She is a fresh graduate of Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, majoring in marketing. Her mission opportunities have been limited to local service, but what greater way to share Christ’s love than by loving your neighbor (literally). She spent two summers helping lead a local organization called H.O.P.E. for the Heartland, assisting local families in need with light construction, maintenance, and household chores. She also spent a summer employed by the Bible camp she grew up in as a counselor for 1st-12th grade students. Becca enjoys working and playing with children, listening to music, shopping, working out, playing any type of sports, making crafty things, watching the Atlanta Braves, and spending time with her family. “I am looking forward to my time of service in Chicago because of my passion to share the love I have known throughout life with others. I believe that the hope of Christ can bring joy even in the most difficult situations and I want to share that hope in Chicago.”

John Wells

John grew up in Savannah, TN and just graduated from Lambuth University in Jackson, TN with a music degree. While in Jackson, he worked at the First United Methodist Church as a youth and music intern. John has volunteered with Carl Perkins Dream Center, Meals on Wheels, Regional Inter-Faith Association, Arlington Elementery School, Reelfoot Rural Ministries (Kentucky and Tennessee), Hardin County Ministerial Association, Youth Aids and St Jude Children’s Research Hospital. In 2007, he participated in Cross Cultural study abroad with the University of Quebec at Chicoutimi Language/Cultural Immersion Program. John loves music, playing guitar and has a very expansive diaphram (from singing!). “I am working with CSM in Chicago this summer because of my heart for service and for the city.”