CENTER for STUDENT MISSIONS

Kendrea Brixey

Kendrea is from Perryville, AR currently attends John Brown University in Siloam Springs, AR. She is a sophomore studying Communications with a minor in Family and Human Services. Kendrea has been on several mission trips two with CSM – one to Houston and one to Chicago. She has also been on work trips to Nashville, New Orleans, and Uruguay. In high school, she worked with the junior high students in her youth group. Kendrea grew up on a farm, so she loves being outdoors and in nature, riding horses, spending time with others and building relationships. She also likes climbing trees and hanging out in hammocks. Her goal for this summer is to grow and see the students grow and be challenged. “I want to have my eyes opened to how God is working and get to be apart of that. I am spending the summer in Chicago because I fell in love with the city on my first CSM trip there when I was in the 10th grade. I want to learn more about the city and I think the opportunity will allow me to do that.”

Stacey Eyman

Stacey is from Spokane, WA and will be a sophomore at Whitworth University where she is majoring in Spanish and Communications. Stacey has been on two mission trips with CSM and two to Mexico. These trips got her excited about serving and she has volunteered at her youth group, tutored elementary kids and helped out at Young Life’s Capernaum. She has done ballet since kindergarten and loves to talk to people! “I hope that the students who come to CSM will have their eyes opened, that they will be encouraged in their walk with Christ, strengthened in their relationships with others, and empowered in their ability to serve. I’m looking forward to getting to know the staff and encouraging each other in Christ.”

Sarah Keur

Sarah is originally from Grand Haven, MI. She is going to be a senior at Taylor University, where she is majoring in Christian Ministries and minoring in Psychology and Youth Ministry. She has taken five trips to Thailand (medical clinics, English teaching, children’s ministry, two trips to Russia (orphanage ministry), one to Mexico (construction), one to Upper Peninsula Michigan (church ministry through soccer camps), and a CSM trip to Chicago in 2005. Sarah has been involved in discipleship and small group leading through her youth group and on campus at Taylor. She loves coffee shops, trying new things and travelling. “I developed a understanding and passion for urban ministry through my experience on a Chicago CSM trip. I pray I will be able to lead students effectively as their hearts and minds are exposed to the social and spiritual needs of Chicago.”

Julie Kresge

Julie Kresge grew up in the country in Perrinton, MI. She is currently a student at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago where she just completed her sophomore year. She is majoring in Communications with a minor in Urban ministry. During high school, she went on several mission trips that included Katrina relief, a trip to work with mentally disabled adults, a trip to work among Yemini Muslims, and one CSM trip to Chicago a few years ago. Julie has worked with high school kids in Chicago at an after school program, with a youth group from back home, and with youth in Minneapolis through a program for inner-city youth there. Julie loves to play sports of any kind, spend time with people, especially her family, enjoy a good book and good music. Julie is “looking forward to gaining experience in urban ministry and being part of a team who can facilitate effectively for the groups that come in. I’m excited to work with the other CSM staff and grow together as we serve.”

Aaron LaMonica

Aaron is from Phoenix, AZ and attends Anderson University in Indiana. He is currently a junior in the Christian Ministries program at AU. Aaron has been on many mission trips to Jamaica, Atlanta, Utah, and Mexico. He has served with CSM in Los Angeles and Washington D.C. for weeklong trips and this is his third summer in Chicago with CSM.
Aaron was highly involved with his youth group all throughout high school and was a small group leader for a group of middle school boys. He loves playing and listening to music and sports, especially baseball. One thing that is kind of strange is that Aaron is from Phoenix but absolutely enjoys the winter months in the Midwest. “I am coming back to Chicago because I love urban ministry and seeing youth do the work of God.”

Katie Norregaard

Katie grew up in Wheaton, IL and is going into her junior year at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. She is a Communications major with an interdisciplinary in Urban Ministries. She has been on missions trips to NYC and Taiwan, has taught junior high Sunday school, and was a high school youth group counselor. She is actively involved in Cabrini Green, does work with local refugees, and has built friendships with the Chicago homeless. As a “mixed child” (with a Taiwanese mother and a Scandinavian father) she is passionate about racial reconciliation. She loves singing, playing the guitar, nature, crafting, reading, art, public relations, cultures, quality conversations over tea, and urban ministry. As a CSM intern, she is excited for the students to see how God is working in Chicago and serve alongside what is being done. Katie desires to build community with the staff, encourage the ministry partners, and work together with the students to seek the shalom of the city.

Matthew Peterson

Matthew Isaac Peterson is from Denver, CO and usually goes by “Matty” or “Matty P.” He is a junior at Azusa Pacific University, majoring in Global Studies, minoring in Ethnic Studies and Sociology. He has been on four short–term mission trips. He has also been a Wyld Life (middle school branch of Young Life) leader for 5 years, and has worked with his church’s youth group leading Bible studies and serving as a volunteer leader. Matty is a city boy who loves nature, sports, writing poetry, listening to music (except country), spending quality time with people, and his home state of Colorado. “I’m excited to be stretched and humbled, to change my perspective as well as being a tool in others growth towards seeing and loving people as God sees and loves each of His beloved children. I’m stoked to serve in Chicago where I have often visited family but never seen and experienced the heart of the city.”

Jane Read

Jane was born and raised in Riverside, CA. She is studying athletic training at Azusa Pacific University where she is a senior. Throughout junior high and high school, Jane has been on several mission trips. She has been twice to San Francisco with CSM, twice to Mexico with Amor Ministries, twice to New Orleans, LA, (the first time for a week and the second time for six weeks) and was incredibly blessed to be able to go to Chile for two weeks the summer after her senior year. For the past year and a half, she has been a leader with her church’s high school youth group. She loves to play soccer and be active in general, enjoys reading immensely and wishes there was more time in the day to do so. “I am so excited to be spending the summer in the inner city of Chicago because I really hope to one day live in the inner city, working at a high school as an athletic trainer.”

Nicole Sandford

Born and raised in the capital city of Olympia, WA, Nicole completed two years at community college after which she took some time off to better understand what Jesus had in store for her life. She spent 3 years on staff at her church working as an assistant to the music director, as well as serving as a leader in the youth ministry. In addition, Nicole spent a year and half on staff at a youth center in downtown Olympia, working with homeless and at risk youth. There she helped manage a weekly girls meeting, did case managing and mentoring, and leading as well as connecting volunteers with students. She has also spent a shaping few months working for the Boys and Girls Club of America. Throughout her high school years and beyond she’s spent a large amount of time working and building relationships with the homeless in Olympia. Because of Jesus, Nicole’s heart is split between her love for the music world and the people living in the deepest, most desperate part of the city. She loves going to shows in her free time, finding a new coffee shop and curling up with her journal and a good cup of joe, adventuring in the city to find new favorite spots, as well as revisiting old ones. Nicole served with CSM Chicago this past spring and is excited to stay on this summer as well! “I’m excited to work with CSM to help those within the church better understand the beauty of who Jesus is in everyone. I’ve had the privilege of working with both worlds and to have the opportunity to connect both with each other so they may see and encounter Jesus is where I encounter my Papa.”

Meagan Scheid

Meagan is originally form Eureka, IL. She graduated in May 2008 from Illinois State University with an elementary teaching degree and spent the next year substitute teaching, as well as teaching 2nd grade full time. Over the course of the past 10 years, Megan has had a wide range of ministry opportunities including: England (twice) to work at a youth holiday center called The Oakes, a youth camp in Michigan for 2 summers, 2 CSM trips (1 as a youth, 1 as a leader), Brazil to work with Ray of Hope reaching communities in the rainforest, Mexico to build a house with Casas por Cristo, and, most recently, just returned from over 2 months in Kenya, East Africa working with a holistic ministry called AfricaHope, and a street kids ministry called NASHA. Megan has had a lot of experience with youth of all ages through church, teaching, and the various mission trips. Outside of her heart for God and people, she also loves all forms of art (music, literature, fine arts, dancing), playing games, laughing, and being outside. She believes variety is the spice of life, and that we should all live and love to our fullest potential. Megan also served with CSM Chicago as a Host this past spring! We are excited to have her back for the summer. “My goal in working with CSM is to more fully experience the work God is doing in urban ministry, to both share and experience His love and heart in new ways, and to further explore the pull of urban ministry He has laid on my heart.”

Alex VanDuyne

Alex grew up in Warsaw, IN and graduated from Warsaw High School. He is currently attending Ball State University for a degree in English Education. After graduation he plans to enter seminary and ministry. Alex has been on trips with CSM to Chicago and New York, as well as mission trips to Guatemala, Ireland and Spain. He is from the suburbs, but loves both the city and the country. Alex likes to play drums, hike, and swim. Through hsi teaching experiences he has spent a lot of time with middle and high school students. “My real heart in ministry is for discipleship and the crucial role that Godly relationships have in producing a world changing faith.”

Joseph Williams

More info coming soon!

Alysa Wray

Alysa is from Indianapolis, IN and is currently studying Urban Leadership at Crossroads Bible College. She has served with CSM in Chicago with her home church, as well as other mission trips to Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska, Georgia, Oklahoma, Washington D.C., and Kenya. She has co-lead Bible Studies and small groups for junior- and senior-high aged girls in her youth group. Alysa loves to serve through VBS, on the praise team, homeless ministry and outreach ministry. She loves digging deeper into the Bible, experiencing new things, traveling, spending time with friends and family, and being creative through art. “I am honored and blessed to be working with CSM Chicago this summer. I am looking forward to serving the communities and ministries of Chicago, the youth teams, and my fellow CSM staff. I am excited to observe and take part in the youth teams’ mission experience, and grow closer to Christ along with them. I also anticipate being challenged and tested as God uses every circumstance to transform me into His likeness.”

Elizabeth Wuthnow

More info coming soon!