STAFF

Luke joined the staff at The Chapel in June 2022. He graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree and from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School with a Master of Divinity. Luke served as a pastoral intern at The Orchard EFC and married Lea in October 2020 and welcomed their first child, Daniel in 2022. 

Kent is a 1990 graduate of Western Illinois University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in music education. Prior to entering full-time music ministry, Kent taught middle school and high school band and choir. He served at Parma Heights Baptist Church in Ohio for four years before being called to The Chapel in July 2002. Kent's wife, Susan, recently retired from teaching after 32 years. The Wades have two grown children, Andrew and Michaela (married to Michael) along with two grandchildren, Myles and Melody. 

Brendan graduated from Dallas Baptist University in 2009 with a Christians Studies degree and earned a Master of Arts in Youth Ministry from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2012. Before Brendan was called to The Chapel in January 2024 he served as Associate Pastor of Youth at a church in Ennis, Texas for 11 years. Brendan is married to Sarah and they have two kids, Jack and Kate.

Kris joined the staff at the Chapel in June of 2023. He graduated from the Moody Bible Institute and Moody Theological Seminary with degrees in Youth Ministry and Biblical Studies. Prior to being the Pastor of Outreach, he was a youth pastor at two churches in Iowa for 20 years. Kris and his wife Bridgit were married in 2003 and have 4 sons, Ryan, Austin, Zach, and Carson.

Ric grew up on the east side of Michigan and moved to St. Joseph in 1997. He spent 30+ years in the special machinery business before completing his BS degree in Organizational Management with a minor in Christian Ministry Leadership. He has since that time served in non-profit ministry and is currently the Executive Director of the Ferry Street Resource Center in Niles. He and his wife Vicki came to the Chapel in 2012 and have served in many ministries since then. They have 6 kids and 10 grandchildren.

Lyn graduated from Indiana State University with a degree in music education. she and her husband, Jasen, have 3 adult boys and they have been attending the chapel since 2012. Lyn came on staff in 2017 as a children's ministry assistant and became the children's ministry director in 2020.  before coming on staff, she was involved in bible study fellowship as the children's supervisor for seven years. 

Jana graduated from Central College in Pella, Iowa with a degree in business management and a minor in communications. She and her husband, Kirk, have 3 grown children and a bonus son-in-law. They moved to Michigan in 2006 and have been attending The Chapel since. Jana has been involved in the Women’s Ministry Leadership team since 2010. She joined the staff in June of 2016 as the Student Ministries Assistant and moved to the role of Women’s Ministry Director in September 2022. 

Justin and his wife Kristine got married in 2012 and moved to Southwest Michigan in 2018. They have 3 children Kyler, Ava, and Colson. They began attending the Chapel in 2019. Justin has been in the construction industry since graduating high school in 2008.

Larissa grew up in Iowa. She was a director of communications for a small ministry in Brown County, Indiana for four years. She moved to Benton Harbor in October of 2018, and has been part of the Chapel staff since 2020. 

Lori grew up in Kalamazoo and moved to St. Joseph more than 27 years ago when she married her husband, Mark. They have three grown sons and one daughter-in-law. they have attended The Chapel since 2007. Lori joined the staff in October 2010 as a part-time Administrative Assistant of Student Ministries. Then in 2016, Lori moved to the front office administrative position. 

Jennifer, her husband Ryan and their 3 boys moved to St. Joseph in 2013. they began attending the chapel that same year. Jennifer joined the staff in 2016 as the children's ministry assistant and then in December of 2022 she moved to the position of administrative assistant in the front office. 

Rylie grew up in the Dayton/Cincinnati area of Ohio before moving to Indiana to attend Taylor University. In 2020, she graduated with a B.S. in professional writing and married her husband Evan. Rylie worked as an optometric technician and freelance editor while Evan completed a two-year worship residency. In 2022, God called Evan and Rylie to St. Joseph so Evan could serve at The Chapel. Rylie took a job as an ophthalmic technician for Great Lakes Eye Care, where she worked until she and Evan welcomed their first child, Emma.

Michaela joined The Chapel staff in her current role in January 2023. She has been attending The Chapel since 2002. Michaela graduated from Cedarville University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music. she was also the Children's Ministries Summer Intern at The Chapel for six summers between 2013-2018. Michaela is married to Michael, and they have two children, Myles and Melody. 

Sam was born and raised in Southwest Michigan and has attended The Chapel since 2005. she has a Degree in Early Childhood Development from Lake Michigan College where she also played softball while attending school. Up until last year, Sam has been the center director at two local childcare facilities and truly has a heart for children. she has been married to her husband, Brandon, for over 9 years and has two boys, Ethan and Jackson.