Who We Are
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Winterfest Design Team is composed of youth directors, ministers and
leaders from churches across the Synod of Mid-America (IL, IN, WI &
FL). These individuals feel a calling to do God’s work by diligently
working for months to organize the bi-annual youth event. Here are the faces you can expect to see at the ’08 event.
Executive Team
Nathan Phillips | Executive Director | Camp Manitoqua | Frankfort, IL
Hello, my name is Nathan Phillips I am the Program Director of Camp Manitoqua & Retreat Center in Frankfort, IL. I have worked there for six years and love the opportunity to serve God in a place that is so fun and faithful to His call. I am excited this year to be the Executive Chair of Winterfest, the design team has worked hard to put together a great event. Thanks for checking out the website and I hope to see you at Overcome 2008.
Dean Kuiper | Activities Head | Shannon, IL
Heidi Van Buren | Administration Head
New Life Community Church | Milwaukee, WI
Greetings Winterfest Fans! This year’s event will be my second event on the design team. I am truly excited to be blessed with the opportunity to reach out to the youth from across IL, IN & WI. I am excited to be part of an organization that allows students to come together and experience the love of God through learning, fellowship and just plan old having fun together.
Chad Lawman | Technical Head | Missio Dei | Mokena, IL
Activities Team
Kara Heyboer | Freeport, IL
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." ~ 1 Peter 5:6-7. That would be my favorite bible verse. If you want to know what my favorite color is, that would be all of them. If you want to find out more of my favorites you will have to find me at Winterfest and ask.
Stacy Miller | Freeport, IL
Hi, All of you Winterfest Party People!!! I'm the Winterfest Pro. Not only have I been on the Design Team for the past three events, but back in the day, I attend Winterfest as a High School student myself. I have also had the amazing GOD given opportunity to help lead three Winterfest Mission trips, 2-two Malawi, Africa and most recently to Alaska. And this was during my spare time. During the day I am an elementary physical education teacher, who loves her job because I get to play all day long. Come to Winterfest to be with friends, come to play, but most of all come to Winterfest because our GOD is an amazing and wonderful GOD who has something powerful to tell you while you are here.
Dave Parrish | Christ Community Church | Homer Glen, IL
Dave is part of the activities team for Winterfest '08, and he'll be writing questions for small group discussion. This is Dave's sixth Winterfest, and he's been on the design team since the 2002 event. He missed most of the actual 2006 event because he got married on the last day; he promises that it won't happen again this time. Dave is the Pastor of Youth and Spiritual Formation at Christ Community Church in Lemont, IL and has been working in youth ministry for about ten years. Some of his interests include motorcycling, bicycling, grilling, and playing Mario Kart and Guitar Hero. Dave and his wife Amy live in Homer Glen, IL.
Jim Schultz | Calvary Church | Orland Park, IL
Jim has been the Youth Pastor at Calvary Church since June 2007. Before moving to the Chicago area, he served in Houston, TX and St. Louis, MO. Jim is a huge Cardinals fan which he affectionately refers to as “God’s Team”.
Administration Team
Dave Grigolett Jr. | Second Reformed | Fulton, IL
Hey Winterfest people!!! Dave is the Director of Youth Ministries at Second Reformed Church in Fulton, IL. He’s part of the administration team for Winterfest, which by the way he has never been to. So this year will be he’s first, he’s really pumped for it. Dave is originally from Chicago, IL (Go Bears!!!), married with two kids and has a real addiction to fantasy football. Dave’s a big town guy living the small town life, and loving every minute of it.
Technical Team
Matt Sharpe | Frankfort, IL
Saad Abbasy | Grace Reformed Church | Lansing, IL
Hey Winterfestites! I'm pumped for another Winterfest to come around and for God to move in BIG ways in our lives. I have been on the Winterfest design team for two events and have also attended twice as a student. I love Winterfest and all it offers students and for the ways that God speaks to us at the event. I encourage you to check out the Winterfest Missions and get signed up to interview for those. As a student, I went with Winterfest Missions to Ecuador and Malawi, Africa. I have also helped lead a Winterfest team to Alaska. I can't wait to meet all of you!
