Barb Cain has spent a lifetime in youth ministries. She grew up in a strong Presbyterian youth program in Kalamazoo which continued to nurture her into adulthood and was the spark that started her passion for serving youth. Barb obtained undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Michigan, and she currently counsels troubled youth in her private practice. In addition to her current work as a youth group leader and Sunday school teacher, Barb has worked for and volunteered in many youth organizations, including Outward Bound, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, a juvenile diversion program, Girl Scouts, and Girls on the Run. About her experience in youth ministries at Northern Lakes, she states, "It's very easy to spend time with this group of kids and to grow with them as we explore through Bible study and activities, what it means to be and live as a Christian today. I am consistently amazed by this group of young people who are so fun, smart, motivated and committed to sharing themselves as Christians."

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Tara Dennis is teacher, first and foremost. She is an experienced English and A.P. Literature teacher, having spent the past 7 years teaching high school students at St. Francis. Tara challenges students to achieve a new level of understanding, whether she is teaching language arts or the bible. Tara is committed to helping children succeed, and she has been an integral part of helping us take our Sunday school curriculum to a new level which challenges our students to study and live the bible. Tara, in fact, has written the new curriculum for 7-12 graders, and it has been highly successful. As a young woman, Tara, along with her young and growing family, also provides a unique mentorship to our young people that goes beyond her excellent teaching.

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Kathy Gauthier has been teaching Sunday school at Northern Lakes since we began teaching Sunday school over ten years ago. Everyone who knows Kathy knows that she loves young children, and they love her. She is always the first to volunteer for young children's ministries, including VBS and Sunday school for our young ones, aged K-3 grade. Kathy has a teaching degree from Central Michigan University and she has used her knowledge in her work with local schools and programs as a teacher as well as volunteering with Big Brothers/Big Sisters and spending her summers as a teacher at the Pathfinder Summer Camp. Kathy teaches bible stories and memory verses to her students while working on meaningful crafts. When the opportunity arises, Kathy leads her students in creating cards, crafts, and loving words to those in need such as those away from home in college or military; and children facing severe medical or social situations. Kathy's class works in concert with our Children in Worship program, reinforcing bible verses and new concepts.

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Matt Hanna has been studying scripture for over thirty years. He pursued his post-graduate education at Bryan College in Dayton Tennessee, a sister school to Moody Bible Institute. Since then, Matt, has worked with adults in Michigan and Wisconsin for over fifteen years with the goal of helping others understand the Word of God and apply it in their lives. Matt currently teaches an adult class at Northern Lakes that challenges his students to really study the entire content of the bible on a daily basis and apply it. His class theme is from Timothy 2:15, "Study to show thyself approved unto God". For over five years, the class has focused on a study of the Old Testaments from a Hebraic perspective--a study of the original Hebrew, that, when coordinated with the remainder if the bible, results in a clearer understanding of the Word of God. Matt states, "By taking this approach, we understand that YHVH does NOT change and that the Bible is a complete and consistent message." Matt's goal is to help his students "find a relationship with YHVH and not get stuck in religion."

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Linda Riggins earned a bachelor's degree from Indiana University's School of Education with a concentration in Early Childhood Education. She taught in schools in New Jersey and Indiana, and in the Young 5's in the Traverse City Area Public Schools. Twice she has attended multi-day training sessions for the Children in Worship program. But these are only her "paper" credentials. She brings her experiences in church (including teaching Sunday school) and as the mother of two to Children in Worship, along with her dedication to achieving excellence in the program. Linda has started the program in two churches now, and she has seen how beautifully it develops faith in Jesus in children ages 4-10. Linda's experiences in church (including teaching Sunday School) and as the mother of two bring the benefit of her dedication to achieving excellence to our Children in Worship program. Linda has now started and led this program in two churches, and is still amazed at how beautifully it develops a young child's faith in Jesus (ages 4-10).

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I Corinthians 12 tells us God has gifted each of us in particular ways so we might use those gifts in ministry. Mike has continually honed his teaching skills through training and experience. He graduated with a bachelors degree in Comparative Religion from Indiana University and a masters degree in divinity from Princeton. Mike has taught both youth and adults in churches from coast to coast. Additionally, he has coached sports and Odyssey of the Mind. No part of ministry brings him greater joy than teaching the Bible. From its beginnings 1997, he has led Bible studies at NLCC. Currently he teaches the Tuesday morning Bible study (7-8 a.m. at the Cracker Barrel Restaurant near US 31 and S. Airport Road in Traverse City). He also offers Bible 101, an adult class that assumes its students have no prior knowledge of scripture or those in need of gentle direction in developing skills for seeking answers in the Bible.

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Sue Messner has made a career of teaching, having taught both public and parochial middle school classes in Detroit and Mio for twenty-nine years prior to retiring. She has not retired from her love for teaching and spending time with youth, however. Sue has over fifteen years experience teaching Sunday school classes, and she continues her work at Northern Lakes by teaching 4-6 graders. Her classes are comprehensive; in addition to Bible stories and content, she helps students become familiar with the Bible and its structure, relevant geography, and sacraments. She also encourages students to learn memory verses and to grow their knowledge and love for God as well as applying that knowledge and love in prayer and service to others. Sue is compassionate and excellent in what she does, and it is obvious that she loves her work.

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Pat Thompson is someone who puts the Word of God into action. As a military family, the Thompsons have spend significant time in Germany, Italy, and Korea, as well as the United States. Wherever Pat found herself, she taught Sunday school. She has been teaching Sunday school for over forty years. Additionally, she spent fifteen years as a special education teacher in Germany, she has been a program and tour coordinator in Traverse City for twenty years and is a tour company owner, and she has been a department manager for Hudson and Marshall Fields. Pat was one of twelve people on a steering committee that started our church and brought our pastor to us, and she has since served our church is multiple leadership roles. She started her Sunday school for women because she noticed a need. Several woman were waiting for their children and family members who were already involved in Sunday school classes. Out of this group, Pat formed the CHIC group. (C ool, H onest, I ntelligent, and totally C hic). This group studies the bible as it applies to the faith and work of women, and it provides a significant fellowship ministry to its members, as one can observe by listening to the sounds of concerned prayer, honest discussion, and laughter emerging from the group.

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