Category: MiddleSchoolBIOS

Ministry Assistant to Pastor Don, Pastor Joel, and Pastor Nick

Born and raised: Born in Grove City, Pennsylvania and grew up in Lansing

Education: Michigan State University (BA Elementary Education; Language Arts specialization; minor Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages); MSU (teacher certification)

Ministry Experience: Interned for the Children’s Ministry at South for a total of 5 summers; interned for the College Ministry for a year; interned for the Student Ministry for one summer; FireUp after-school program at Cavanaugh Elementary for 5 years

Hobbies: Traveling, hiking, skiing, camping, reading, poetry, art, being an aunt (it rocks!)

Community Activities: directing/choreographing kids musical theatre

Testimony: The majority of my growing up experience was here at South with parents who are very wise. They raised my 3 brothers and I to go beyond just “doing the right thing” and consistently pursued teaching our hearts to seek God above all else – a task that required lots of perseverance! I decided that I wanted to have Jesus as my Savior at age 6. From there, I’ve spent my life learning that He is also my Lord. He has shown me the importance of discipleship, the necessity of spending personal time with Him in His Word, and the significance of opening my eyes to see what He sees and serve Him where He needs hands to serve. He has taught me that taking ownership and repenting of my guilt and sin allowed me to experience true forgiveness when He died with my burden upon Himself – and rose from the dead, offering a life of forgiveness to anyone who chooses to acknowledge their need of Him.

jdoerr@southlife.org

Lead Pastor of Student Ministries – Middle School

Born and raised: Holland, MI, spent time living in Seattle, WA and Kijabe Kenya, East Africa

Education: Moody Bible Institute (BA Youth Ministry; secondary education Bible teaching certificate)

Ministry Experience: Jr. High student ministries at South since June 2002

Spouse: Shannon Wayner

Kids: Maliya, Joshua, Avery, Rylie, and Tate

Hobbies: All sports, especially golf

Testimony: I was raised in a Christian home, with parents who were deeply committed to Christ. From the time I was born, church was a major part of my life, as was Bible study and worship. I remember praying for salvation when I was 3 at our home in Seattle, WA. As much as I could understand what Christ had done for me, I believed with all my heart at that time. As I grew older and my parents and the church continued to teach me, my understanding of Christ and his death and resurrection as a substitution for my sin (so that His righteousness could be given to me) continued to grow. I’m a work in progress, but continue to understand more fully each day the depth of Christ’s love for me, and the depth of my sin which he has saved me from. The teaching of pastors Don, Doug, Ben and others continue to challenge me, along with personal Bible study. South has been an incredible place of growth for me, and I am excited to be a part of the ministry team here at South which is having such an impact on so many lives.

jwayner@southlife.org