Our Staff

Home Church:  Christian Life Center

The Lord blessed me to become a part of this great ministry in 2001, after being employed for the James River Paper Company for over eleven years. I have four lovely children -Valadd (26) Daniel (24) Olivia (15) and James (14).

My life was entrenched with sin & shame when I was changed through God's transforming power. I believe God has called me to bring the message of His love, mercy, and saving grace to the world. The Kalamazoo Deacons conference is a place where we can demonstrate this five days a week. We make Jesus visible to the people we serve by sharing Christ love with people in need.

Home Church:  Christian Life Center
 
I have a wonderful wife of 14 years and we have a phenomenal 10 year old girl. I've been blessed to be involved and employed at the Kalamazoo Deacons Conference since 2001. I also coach a local Christian H.S. boy's H.S. tennis team for the past 6 years. My job here and coaching is a continued advancement of God's purpose for me; To Equip, Encourage and Educate young men to have the knowledge, mindset and spirit to be leaders and changers in the world...TODAY.

Home Church:  Southern Heights CRC

God led me to employment at the Kalamazoo Deacons Conference in the summer of 2003.  I had always heard of KDC but to experience what amazing work God is doing through this team of dedicated staff and volunteers is a continuous blessing.  Whether it is through the rock solid faith of a guest going through crisis or the tears of joy from a new believer, God touches hearts and lives on a daily basis at KDC.  To God be the glory!

Home Church:  Mt. Zion Baptist church

I am the proud and thankful mother of three wonderful children Dyland (16), Lynia (6) and Tyler (1 1/2). I love my servant position at the Deacons' Conference because I believe everyone should feel good about themselves and looking good is one of the many ways it can happen. So because of God and our wonderful donors I am able to manage a clothing ministry that is similar to a department store (as far as clothing quality) -- but everything is given away freely!! God bless and keep you.

I am a thankful and proud mother of three – Tasha (15), Ryan (12) and Chris (10).

I love my position as Clothing Assistant at the Deacons Conference. I love helping others in need and making them feel good about themselves. I like it when guests leave with a smile. God bless.

Home Church:  Mt. Zion Baptist

I retired as an Accounting Technician from the Upjohn Company where I worked for 18 years.  I then spent 7 years as an Accounting Manager with Tri State Bank in Memphis, TN until I retired again.  I am a lifelong member of Mt. Zion Baptist church.

My relationship with the Deacon’s Conference began in 2006 when a mission trip I led partnered with KDC for a week of service. I guess you could say I fell in love because I kept coming back; first as a Direct Response Servant and later as the Program Director for this wonderful ministry. It is my prayer that I would see everyone I encounter, from my friends and family to each individual that walks through our doors, with the eyes of God and in doing so to see not only where they’re at now, but also who they were created to be, and what they are capable of becoming- and to help them make that vision a reality. Even more so my hope is that I would love them with a love that is as compassionate, bold and relentless as the love of my Savior.

Church:  Northpointe

I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work at Western Michigan University, August 2008.  During my enrollment, I volunteered for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at KVCC, the Edison Elementary School and Vineyard Outreach Ministry.  My field placement was Bethany Christian Services, where I trained under social workers in the privatized foster care and adoption system for 6 months.  After graduation, while working as a receptionist and custodian at my family’s business, I started volunteering as a Direct Response Servant at the Kalamazoo Deacons Conference and was hired in November 2009.  My grandmother, Joann, had recommended KDC because she was a former intake volunteer there in the early 1980’s.  I had prayed that God would place me in an environment where I could grow and be His servant, and that prayer has been answered here at KDC. 

I'm originally from New Orleans and came to Kalamazoo in 2006 as a result of Hurricane Katrina.  I've been amazed at the humanitairan spirit of this community and nowhere is that more evident than here at the Deacons Conference.  "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights..." James 1:17

I've been married for 26 1/2 years and have two daughters and two grandchildren.  As a Christian, working at the Deacons Conference gives me the opportunity to interact with and help people in the community and to share my faith.