God has blessed our organization with some amazing people! We would love for you to meet them and also to join our amazing prayer team. This team is always praying for our ministry and each Faith45 family we serve.
Meet Julie Reuschel - Co-Founder and Executive Director
My most important title will always be MOM! I thank God every day for creating me to be Faith and Esther's mama, and here on Earth to be called mama by my three kiddos.
I attended Hope College, where Chris and I met, and since then have worked in accounting and have a thing for spreadsheets and numbers. I have worked as a public accountant, an accountant for a builder and most recently as a business controller. I recently left an awesome job to follow God's lead and commit to focusing on Faith45 and helping as many families as we can. I cannot wait to see where God continues leading this ministry and covet your prayers along the way.
Meet Chris Reuschel - Co-Founder and President
As Faith and Esther's dad, it is my goal to always honor them in everything we do. I am a dreamer by heart and I love dreaming for this ministry and figuring out all the ways we can help families.
I also attended Hope College and graduated with a teaching degree. But God has led me to many different ventures since then. I am now the general manager for a local business. When I am able to find free time, I love hunting and fishing and really anything outdoors.
Meet Vicki Ekdom - Mentor Coordinator
Vicki is not only our mentor coordinator but, more importantly, she is Faith and Esther's Nana. She was a part of the team that developed the mentor ministry and truly believes that talking with someone who has been there can be a huge step in the grieving process.
When she isn't connecting with our mentors, you can find her either with her grandkids or at the beach or both! She loves camping, biking and just enjoying nature. She is always busy and loves spending time with her family.
Meet Bob Carlton - Board Chair
Bob's ministry journey began as a worship leader and founder of "Encounter" at Willow Creek Community Church. He then left Chicago to plant Gateway Community Church in Austin, Texas. While there he won a Dove Award for his recording work with the band, Massivivid. After a lengthy season of touring, he helped plant more churches and co-led the Emerging Church Network, before pioneering the global church planting pipeline TRAIN at Brentwood Baptist Church in Nashville, TN, catalyzing growth and multiplication worldwide. His influence extended to co-creating the church planting operating system for SEND North America Network.
Relocating to Holland, Michigan, Bob served as Movement Pastor at Ridge Point Community Church, fostering the Fearless Network of Churches, all while traveling the nation as the National Director of Recruiting for Stadia Church Planting. Recently, as the Executive Director of Highpoint SEND, he propelled the Chicago based church planting network into becoming a global force for church multiplication. When not catalyzing church multiplication around the world as "the Multiplication Guru", Bob dedicates his time as the Park Township Fire Department's Chaplain, and making great memories with his beloved wife, Kristina, and their handsome dog, Walter Alan.
Meet Carolyn Reuschel - Treasurer
Carolyn Reuschel is a CPA and is the International Tax Manager at Haworth in Holland, MI. Carolyn's financial background provides Faith45 with knowledgeable insight and oversight as the Treasurer of the Board of Directors. Carolyn has a heart for this ministry and has been cheering on Chris and Julie Reuschel for the past several years. Walking with close friends through infant loss and miscarriage has shaped her awareness of this devastating topic. Carolyn is a firm believer that everyone has their stuff; empathy and just showing up for your people goes a long way whether you have first hand experience or not. Additionally, she understands from her own journey the power found in having people who get it, and that's exactly what Faith45 strives to do and be for women and families experiencing infant loss.
Carolyn lives in Holland, MI with her husband Ben and three sons, Colter, Ellis and Jameson. They stay busy as a family with sports, activities, house projects, and dogs. They live in an old, creaky, drafty farmhouse and enjoy the freedom and space of living in the country. She grew up in West Michigan and has known Julie for over 20 years, and is now fortunate enough to be related to Chris and Julie through marriage.
Meet Sarah Laird - Secretary
Sarah is thankful to serve as secretary for Faith45's board. The mission and calling of Faith45 is such a personal one as she is a momma of 7 children, but is only able to hug and squeeze 4 this side of heaven. Sarah is a part of the mentoring program at Faith45 and walks with women as they process and grieve.
From a young age, Sarah wanted to become a teacher. So, upon completion of her undergraduate degree from Taylor University, Sarah moved to Holland and began teaching middle school. After working as a teacher for a few years, she wanted to try something new and began work as a settlement consultant. You can now find her at home, raising and homeschooling her children alongside her husband of 12 years. She is an amateur bread-maker, runner and is passionate about quality literature. Time with her family is what she cherishes most, from family hikes to movie nights to reading a captivating book together.
Meet Kelly Elders - Board Member
Kelly Elders is an HR Business Partner at Target Corp. Headquarters, where she’s been for nearly 5 years specializing in strategic talent planning, organizational structure, and engaging training plans with a team focus. Prior to that, she was an HR Director for the Amway Hotel Corp. And even before that, a High School teacher and Theatre Director. Kelly lives in Grand Rapids with her husband, Trent, and their two boys Hank and Charlie. Kelly and Trent have lived and worked in California on and off through the past years, landing back in West Michigan in 2021 to raise their sons closer to family. Kelly and her family attend Sherman CRC in Grand Rapids.
After watching family and friends go through miscarriages and stillbirth, Kelly wholeheartedly believes in the mission of Faith45 and is honored and blessed to be a part of the board. Kelly prays that God will continue to use this ministry to bless parents walking through this difficult season.
Interested in joining our team?? Please fill out the form below!
