Jeanette Hielkema
Q: Where could we find you at 10:00 AM on a Saturday morning?
A: Depends on the weather. During the summer I’m out in the gardens. In winter, I’ll be in my favorite chair with a good book and a cup of coffee.
Q: Where’s your favorite place to meet with students, and why?
A: My favorite place is Tim Horton’s or a pizza place. I like them to be able to have something in their hands. Our conversations flow easier when the total focus is not on talking.
Q: What do you do to stay relevant to youth?
A: I refuse to grow up! I accept their challenges as they accept mine. I read a lot. I like to keep in touch with the youth through Facebook.
Q: What resource has inspired you for ministry lately?
A: The Bible! Also Sticky Faith by Powell/Clark.
Q: What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done for a youth group fundraiser?
A: We do lots of crazy things—but not necessarily for fundraisers. They are just dares that we make up (leaders must participate!). We went sledding down a steep hill on mattresses once.
Brandon Bajema
Q: Where could we find you at 10:00 AM on a Saturday morning?
A: Most Saturday mornings you either find me out in the yard, working a job of mine or hanging out with my amazing wife (Robyn Bajema).
Q: What do you do to stay relevant to youth?
A: I recently attended a youth ministry conference for the first time. I will attend every year from now on! It was very impactful and filled up my cup to come back to my youth ministry refreshed with many new ideas! I also frequent other youth pastor’s blogs—it gives me new ideas and helps me find new perspectives on relevant issues for today’s youth.
Q: If your students described you in five words or less, what would they say?
A: CHICAGO FAN, AWESOME YOUTH PASTOR
Q: Where would you like to travel someday?
A: I love to travel! The place I’d most like to go is Ireland, because my favorite band U2 is from there!
Q: What got you started going to ThereforeGo’s Serve or other faith-forming experience?
A: I grew up going to Serve and Convention (now Live It). I loved the faith-forming experiences and the life-changing issues they brought to my attention. As an adult and now a youth pastor, I love to give my youth the same opportunities. Serve has been instrumental in helping my group of youth grow spiritually each year.
Trent Elders
Q: Where would we find you at 10:00 AM on a Saturday morning?
A: If there is not a youth activity going on, I am one of four places: fly fishing, taking photos of a wedding, biking to the Farmers Market or reading on my porch with my wife.
Q: What’s your favorite place to meet with students, and why?
A: Rowster Coffee. This is a coffee shop that cares not only about where they get their beans, but how they roast and brew each cup. It is a great atmosphere to have deep conversations with students, and it feels slightly cleaner and more comfortable than your average Taco Bell meeting spot.
Q: I never leave for youth group without:
A: My youth ministry bag: Bible, moleskin notebook, pen, iPhone, iPad, projector dongle, Swiss Army Knife, flashlight, guitar pick.
Q: If your students described you in five words or less, what would they say?
A: He has a beard….
Q: Where would you like to travel someday?
A: Middle Earth
