Our
Team
Safe Families of Southwest Michigan is supported by a compassionate team of experienced individuals and the guidance of its Leadership Council. Of course, this is just a small number of the people involved in our movement. We are immensely grateful for the help we receive from our volunteers, host families, local churches, and community members in Kalamazoo, Portage, Battle Creek, and beyond.
A long-time Kalamazoo native and WMU grad, Mark brings a wealth of experience to our team from his 40+ years of ministry. He has served on several non-profit boards in the community and is involved in helping many ministries grow and develop in the area. He currently serves as an elder at Gracespring Bible Church. He and his wife, Debra, have three adult daughters who all live and serve in southwest Michigan.
Jenny grew up in the Kalamazoo area and holds a BA in sociology/criminal justice from WMU. She has always had a heart for helping others, having served in volunteer roles for over 20 years. She volunteers regularly in her church’s children’s program as well as through a mentoring program for teen moms. When not working or volunteering, you can usually find her reading or spending time with her family. Jenny lives in Cooper Township with her husband Adam and their three children.
Kari first became involved with Safe Families in 2017 as a host family through Bethany Christian Services. She and her husband love opening their home to visitors and share time between Michigan and Florida as they travel with their bees in the winter months.
Laura is a longtime area resident, graduating from WMU with adegree in Criminal Justice. She recently served with Samaritas as a Family Preservation workers, and she is actively involved in her home church - The Bridge. Laura and her husband are raising their 8 year old son, so life is always an adventure in their home. She is also skilled in TBRI principles (Trust-Based Relational Intervention)
Our Leadership Council
Dan & Marion's
Story
We first got involved with Safe Families in 2018 through their Petoskey office, as it was shared in the church we attend in Boyne City. We were pleasantly surprised to see that this ministry existed because we knew how dear this need is to the heart of Father God. This type of radical hospitality, with the support of a local church body, represents a tangible, loving response to the abortion issue in our culture. Our first hosting ended up lasting about seven months, with the typical hosting across the nation being about six weeks.
It’s been challenging, especially when you are a little older like we are. And it requires the sacrifice of your personal agenda. However, the fulfillment we have experienced reminds me of what Olympic Gold Medal runner and Missionary to China Eric Liddell said in the movie Chariots of Fire. When he was asked what motivated him to run, he replied, ‘I sense His pleasure!’ In this ministry we have truly ‘sensed His pleasure.’ His heart for the children is profound.
There is that initial time when the children can be emotionally upset… you need to have a lot of patience and give a lot of comfort. God’s grace and love through us fills this need.
There are so many people struggling just to keep their head above water and keep their sanity. They don’t have family or friends they can ask for help, which isn’t as unusual as you might think. In a community like Kalamazoo, we have people in our churches who have a desire to help but don’t know how to reach out. Safe Families helps empower the church to be the church and open their hearts and homes to help. There is something special being able to pour into these kids… it is really one of the most rewarding things we’ve done.
