Yes, we are aware that you heard a little about Dan Westveer, our recent staff addition to our youth program. However, we as a newsletter staff wondered if there wasn’t maybe a little more about him and his wife that we could find out. So we asked. What follows is our question and answer session with Dan.
Can you tell us a little more about where you were born, grew up, and went to school?
I was born in Detroit, Michigan, where I lived the first three-four years of my life. My brother was born when I was three and our family moved, shortly thereafter, to the Zeeland area. As a child I was both home schooled and went to Tri-Unity Christian school. Upon entering high school I went to Zeeland High School. From there, I went to Grand Rapids Community College for two years and received an associate’s degree in pre-law and general studies. I then went to Grand Valley State University for 2 years and transferred to Kuyper College, where I received a bachelor’s degree with a double major in youth ministry and theology and a double minor in psychology and communications. I am now in school at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary for an M.A. Counseling degree.
Is this assignment with us at Trinity part of your training?
I have completed 27 credits, am currently taking 12, and hope to complete my master’s in June of 2013. Joining Trinity is not specifically a part of my training for school, but I hope that my position at Trinity will further clarify God’s calling in my life.
And your wife – where was she born, raised, went to school?
My wife, Kayla, was born near Hart and was raised most of her life in Zeeland. She went to Zeeland High School and is currently looking at community colleges for this coming spring. She has two younger twin sisters.
Is Kayla working or going to school?
Kayla is looking at getting an associate’s degree and has interest in someday working with animals. She currently works for Spring Brook Apartments on 32nd St. in Holland as a leasing consultant.
How did you and your wife meet and how long have you been married?
My wife and I met partially through work and partially through friends. I was working with Katy, who was friends with Kayla, my wife. Katy’s husband, Ryan, and I began hanging out and we all spent time together. Kayla and I then began spending time together and eventually dating. We have been married two years and two months.
If you even have the time for hobbies, what are they?
I am a sports junkie and have two large dogs. In high school I played baseball, basketball, football and soccer. I boxed Michigan Golden Gloves for two years and was an NCCAA soccer player at Kuyper. I enjoy spending time with my wife, our dogs, our extended family and friends.
We know that you touched on this subject already, but could you tell us in more detail about the journey that brought you to youth ministry?
Specifically, it was the staff at Victory Point Ministries. I was playing in a band and was not attending church. Mike, the worship arts director at Victory Point asked me to come and play with them at the church. At first I told him I would, but I had no interest in joining the church. It was there that I met some of the most sincere and real people within the walls of a church, which I had previously never experienced. It was their acceptance of me that led me to continue going to church there, and eventually becoming a member. I began to attend the post high ministry at V.P. and met Matt. At the time he was the student and young adult’s pastor and has since become a teaching and preaching pastor. He is my mentor and saw gifts in me that I did not see in myself at the time. He invited me to go on a trip to Colorado with the youth group. When I left, I was a secondary education major at G.V., but throughout that week and upon my return, I felt God’s call to youth ministry. The following year I enrolled at Kuyper and became a youth group leader at V.P.
What would you like to share with us about your call to work with youth?
My passion is to reach not only those within the church walls, but also to reach the lonely, the lost and the hurting. I do not believe that the church consists of walls and barriers and is something that we do on Sunday. The church is a body of believers who are living, active and obedient to follow God’s call on a daily basis. St. Francis of Assisi once said, “Always preach the gospel and when necessary use words.” I believe that I am called to be an example to adolescents for Christ. This is my mission and goal in life; one that I am willing to live for my life for (I John 3:16). Getting to Trinity has been a long journey for me. I believe that God has led me to this position and I hope to continue to discern God’s calling for my life while at Trinity. In the process, I hope to influence the lives of others and help others to discern their calling from God as well.
What is one other thing that you would like the Trinity family to know about you?
I would like the people of Trinity to know that I am willing to walk with them through whatever it is they are going through in life. I hope for people to see me as a servant of Christ. No matter what it is that they are going through my prayer is they may know that the grace and peace of Christ is stronger than anything.
Welcome to Trinity, Dan and Kayla. We are grateful God has led you here and confident in His leading in your lives and in the lives of our youth. Be assured of our prayers and you live here among us.