Board & staff
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Jeff Heerspink, Board PresidentJeff grew up in Lynden, WA, and attended Utah State University studying agriculture until returning to farm work in Lynden. At this time of his life, a series of events caused the Gospel to take root in Jeff's life. It propelled him on a journey in ministry. As a youth pastor in Seattle, Jeff met and married his wife Beth. Together, they moved to Chicago to attend Moody Bible Institute, where Jeff studied Family Ministry and Beth studied Communications. They moved to Lincoln to join the Northern Lighthouse staff after doing an internship in the summer of 2004. After 10 years of serving at the Northern Lighthouse, God allowed them to begin F Street Neighborhood Church in the shadows of the state capital with a great little team of people. In 2016 they moved their family into the neighborhood where they live and love the people around them.
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Jen Hinrichs, TreasurerJen and her husband of 26 years have 4 daughters, 2 sons-in-law, and a new grandson. Jen grew up in south-central Nebraska, and moved to Lincoln to attend UNL to obtain her degree in accounting. Jen helps with her husband's cabinet business, is a photographer, a deaconess, and is the office administrator at Redeemer. Jen desires to see her community transformed by God's grace through encouragement, serving and sharing the Word of God inside and outside the church.
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Brook Talsma, Secretary |
Carissa Martin, Board VP |
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Brook is a creative mix of administrative and relational, always trying to improve systems and go deep with people. She's a foodie who rarely photographs her food, since she's too busy eating it. She prefers to be found in the outdoors on downhill skis or in a kayak, but will settle for a hammock with a good book. Brook is a professional counselor who also serves as the office administrator at Grace Chapel. She's committed to comfortable shoes. She loves Jesus.
Derek effle, Board memberDerek Effle a native to Lincoln, Nebraska, has extensive training in community planning, community organizing, strength-based approaches to addressing community problems and strategic planning facilitation with diverse community stakeholders using the Federal Strategic Prevention Framework. He also has a wealth of training and knowledge in the areas of youth training and development. Derek is adept at building and leading teams from diverse areas, leading them to move through conflict to adoption and working towards a shared mission. He has worked with a wide array of individuals from government officials, volunteers, and with business leaders. He brings strong skills in communication, interpersonal relationships, and team development that can help any organization move through the seemingly complex process of putting a plan together and achieving company goals. Derek is a graduate of the University of Nebraska.
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If you were to find Carissa right now, she is probably feeding one of her kids or changing another's diaper. She is mom to three fantastic kiddos, and foster mama to one delightful baby. Carissa has been married to her super cool husband, Scott for 12 years. They have moved 9 times together in their 12 years of marriage, and have been thrilled to call Lincoln home for the past 6 years. Carissa serves at their church (where her husband pastors), enjoys traveling the world, and wants nothing more than to see people enter a relationship of Grace and Love with Jesus.
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Brody Van Roekel, DirectorBrody grew up in Sioux Center, IA where ATLAS was founded. He attended school at Northwestern College in Orange City. After graduating, Brody moved to Michigan for additional education, continuing his study of history at Western Michigan University. The call to ministry has long been a driving force in his life and moving to Lincoln offered phenomenal opportunities to live out that call. In addition to working as a director for Atlas, Brody also serves on the Board of Directors for Transformations Thrift Store and volunteers often around F-Street Neighborhood Church. Living relationally has always been a prominent part of Brody’s story. Beautifully diverse and significant connections with people give him life and purpose. As someone who has always felt the struggle of not being able to fit a mould, he’s passionate about reaching marginalized populations. Empowering people with hope and the tools to make positive life changes provides one of the most meaningful ways to live.
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Savannah clapper, mentor coordinatorThrough prayer and mentor guidance, Savannah left her job as a youth pastor in California and came back to her homeland of Nebraska to partner with F-Street Neighborhood Church in the Kingdom work they are doing in Lincoln. Savannah's focus will be on community development. In addition to working at F-Street Neighborhood Church, Savannah will be serving as the Mentor Coordinator for Atlas: Lincoln, is attending seminary at Western Theological Seminary, and is living in community with some other families in the local area. Some other passions include: dressember, running, reading, and playing her ukulele.
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OUR HOPEThat we would provide a space for people to come in their time of need
That people would find Atlas as a place of truth and love, acceptance and direction, grace and mercy That all of us would pursue vibrant and growing relationships with the community, each other, and Christ most importantly |
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