Hometown: Neillsville, WI
Family Facts: I married Brenda, my high school sweetheart. Brenda and I have four children (Oliver, Esther, Colette & Jonmarc)
Embarrassing Childhood moment: I attempted to give an informational speech about the Badger in 10th grade. A wave of nervousness hit about a minute in and it made my knees start shaking uncontrollably!
Educational Background: BS-Landscape Architecture (University of Wisconsin-Madison)
Most Intriguing Place Ever Visited: New York City
Hobbies/Interests: Travel, Architecture & design, sports (MTB, running, disc golf, paddling, XC + downhill skiing…) teams I cheer for: Wisconsin Badgers, Detroit Lions, Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Bucks, MN UFC Loons, Duluth Huskies
Why Jesus matters to me: His unconditional grace and mercy. He gave His perfect life so that I could be forgiven. He loved me when I least deserve it!
Hometown: Neillsville, WI
Family Facts: I married my high school sweetheart. I have four kids (Oliver, Esther, Colette & Jonmarc)
Embarrassing Childhood moment: I just couldn’t find the bathroom at the big, public library. I was also too shy to ask someone and couldn’t find my mom who was looking for her own books. Welp, it took to long to find her and it was too late! I peed my pants….
Educational Background: BA-Interior Design (University of Wisconsin-Madison)
Most Intriguing Place Ever Visited: Probably China, the FOOD!! The people, the culture, the worldview were all very fascinating to encounter and learn about. The consciousness of God and knowledge of Jesus were almost non-existent.
Hobbies/Interests: Cooking, downhill skiing, hunting for treasures at TJ Maxx, reading, cheering on my kids in their sports
Why Jesus matters to me: Jesus is everything. He is our only true source of hope and peace in this life and the next.
Hometown: Saint Paul, MN
Family Facts: I am happily married to to my wife Jenny (1/1/05). She is also on staff with Cru, but she serves with our regional HR team virtually, while giving leadership to our Cru childcare ministry.
I have 4 kids. Alex, Zach, Karrin and Micah.
As a family we love the water in the summer, skiing in the winter, playing board games and making up stories any time of the year.
Embarrassing Childhood moment: In second grade I was performing in a play. At the end of the performance I discovered my pants zipper was down during the whole play, when a kid in my class pointed it out to everyone in the room.
Educational Background: I have a Bachelor of Science degree from UW-Eau Claire (Biology/Theatre). I also have my theological certificate from the Institute of Biblical Studies.
Most Intriguing Place Ever Visited: Carcassonne, France. The actual place the board game is modeled after.
Hobbies/Interests: I love competitive swimming, baseball/softball, strategy games, telling stories, making Cajun gumbo and grilling meat, hiking the Lake Superior Hiking Trail, home remodeling, fishing, ultimate frisbee, and spending time with my family.
I am a fan of all MN sports teams (except for the Gopher Hockey teams). However, despite years of disappointment from all of them, the one team I can’t give up on is the Twins. I was a huge fan of Kirby Puckett and the 91′ team, and in my later years I loved watching Joe Mauer.
My favorite books are C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia.
Why Jesus matters to me: Jesus matters to me, because with out him I would be totally lost in my sin and selfishness. I would still be miserably seeking to find life in my self or in the things the world offers. Knowing Jesus, has brought a fulfillment, contentment, and peace I’ve found no where else. I’ve experienced his transforming power in my life and my mind, and through Jesus, I am a better man.
Hometown: Waukesha, WI
Family Facts: I’m an identical twin, married to Kendra, and I have one son with another on the way!
Embarrassing Childhood moment: I once got detention for laughing about spilled glue in art class
Educational Background: UW- Madison alumni, BS in economics and communications
Most Intriguing Place Ever Visited: The pacific northwest
Hobbies/Interests: Hiking, sports, board games, going for walks, baking, fishing
Why Jesus matters to me: Jesus gives me security, purpose, and forgiveness.
Hometown: White Bear Lake, MN
Family Facts: Married to Josh, soon-to-be boy mom of two, and wanna be dog owner.
Embarrassing Childhood moment: I once got a nasty cut on the bridge of my nose, right between my eyes, and had to wear a butterfly bandage across it every day for several weeks until it closed up. I even competed in my elementary school’s track and field day with it!
Educational Background: Graduated from UW- La Crosse with a degree in Community Health Education and an emphasis in Public Administration
Most Intriguing Place Ever Visited: Cairo, Egypt
Hobbies/Interests: Hiking on the north shore, exploring national parks, playing card and board games, learning to garden, experimenting with new recipes and life chats over a good cup of coffee
Why Jesus matters to me: Jesus is peace in the chaos of our world. In Jesus, I have hope in all the uncertainties life holds. Following him is the greatest purpose to live for!
Hometown: Woodbury, MN
Family Facts: My grandma’s maiden name was Hammer, and she married a Thor. You could say it was meant to be!
Embarrassing Childhood moment: When playing youth basketball I scored multiple baskets on the other team’s hoop.
Educational Background: Studied Marketing Analytics at the University of Minnesota-Duluth
Most Intriguing Place Ever Visited: The Aqua Dome in Langenfeld, Austria
Hobbies/Interests: Watching sports, hiking, baking, board games, puzzles, traveling, time with friends
Why Jesus matters to me: Encountering Jesus in a real and personal way changed everything for me, and I love that I get to share about Him with others. Being able to spend time with with Jesus daily gives me a sense of purpose, motivation and direction in my life.
Hometown: Forest Lake, Minnesota
Fun Facts: I have broken 7 bones.
Embarrassing Childhood moment: Spilling an entire gallon of milk in front of 50+ people.
Educational Background: B.S. Biochemistry, B.A. Chemistry, B.A. Spanish Language and Culture Studies at the University of Minnesota Duluth
Most Intriguing Place Ever Visited: Costa Rica
Hobbies/Interests: Skiing, Cycling, Pickleball, Yardwork, Handyman-Type-Activities
Why Jesus matters to me: Jesus matters to me not only because he gives me hope in a broken and sinful world, but he saved me from a life of darkness and has guided me into the light.
Hometown: Rosemount, MN
Fun Fact: I have an identical twin
Embarrassing Childhood moment: I was on a swing set outside and a bird pooped right on my head :/
Educational Background: Graduated in Spring of 2024 from UMD with a BA in Marketing and Graphic Design
Most Intriguing Place Ever Visited: Galway, Ireland
Hobbies/Interests: Hiking, Harry Potter movie marathons, pickleball, anything outside!
Why Jesus matters to me:Before I came to know Christ I was so lost not knowing what my purpose was or feeling like I had no purpose. When I came to know Christ I truly saw what it meant to find my identity in Him and it is SO GOOD! Because of Him I can walk through life knowing I was intentionally made by my creator and am so loved. And I hope to be able to share that with students on campuses!
Hometown: Wyoming, MN
Family Facts:My Great-Great-Great Grandparents came to the United States on the Mayflower.
Embarrassing Childhood moment: I once drank my own pee out of a blue Powerade bottle.
Educational Background: Forest Lake Area High School | University of Minnesota Duluth Finance BBA, Spanish Minor
Most Intriguing Place Ever Visited: Boiling River in Yellowstone National Park (This place no longer exists due to flooding)
Hobbies/Interests: Cooking, Reading, Coaching Basketball, and Running
Why Jesus matters to me:Jesus, through his story and message has given me the most compelling purpose I can find. As a consequence I don’t know anything more important than telling others about him.
Hometown: Prescott, WI
Fun Fact:I’ve run Grandma’s Marathon twice.
Embarrassing Childhood moment: In 4th grade, kicking my best friend in the shin and then crying at my desk at the front of the room, right as class started.
Educational Background: Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from UMD
Most Intriguing Place Ever Visited: Going on mission in the Middle East
Hobbies/Interests: Running, kayaking, chess, woodworking
Why Jesus matters to me: I am certain that there is no one else in my life who is more caring, present, admirable, and worth following than Him. I have found my relationship with Him to be supremely and ultimately satisfying, rewarding, and refining.
Hometown: Richmond, MN
Fun Fact: I can do a morning dove and loon call.
Embarrassing Childhood moment: So many. Probably that I was scared of everything including leprechauns, the tooth fairy, the easter bunny, etc.
Educational Background: Graduated from Eden Valley-Watkins High School and graduated from the University of Minnesota-Duluth
Most Intriguing Place Ever Visited: Grand Marais, MN (It’s so beautiful)
Hobbies/Interests: Spending quality time with others, singing/worship, board games, volleyball
Why Jesus matters to me: He gave His life for me and loves me more than I deserve. Jesus gives my life true meaning and purpose that exceeds all understanding,
