Children and Youth Faculty

Grades 8-12: Amanda Ark & Joe Hinds

Joe Hinds

Joe Hinds is the Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Yellow Springs, Ohio. Joe, his wife Kazy (a pastor in Piqua, OH), and their son, Paul, were introduced to Covenant Gathering last year and are looking forward to another fabulous time at Michindoh. Besides CG Youth leadership, Joe has enjoyed youth work at Kirkmont (Presbytery of the Miami Valley), Gulftreat (Panama City, FL), and Montreat. Joe is looking forward to seeing familiar faces from last year, meeting new friends, and a trip on the Zip Line.

Amanda Ark
Amanda is an energetic 21 year old from a small town called DeGraff in Ohio where she lives with her cartoonist father, jewlry making mother, and older brother. She will be graduating next year from Bowling Green State University with a degree in High School Math Education.  Besides researching math facts and teaching them to everyone she knows, Amanda’s passion is youth and youth ministry. A third year Summer Staff member at Kirkmont Center a Presbyterian based Camp, Amanda works as a craft leader, dishes do-er, worship leader, weekly camp director,  leadership trainer, energizer leader, and all around good guy for all of the youth that attend camps.  Amanda is also a youth leader helper at her Presbyterian church in BG. This will be Amanda’s first time at Covenant Gathering but she is excited to work with all of the High School youth and for the experience.
 
Grades: 5-7: Melissa Iser & Nathan Martens
Grades 2-4: Dani Miller & Ruth Fish

Presch. – Grade 1: Kazy Hinds & Michele Slone

Birth/Toddler: Samantha Thomas & Cheryl Moles

Adult Course Faculty

The Rev. Wendy Pratt (Bible Study on Beatitudes)

Wendy is the pastor of Delta Presbyterian Church in Lansing, MI in Lake Michigan Presbytery. She's a graduate of Albion College and Louisville Seminary. Wendy is a veteran participant in Covenant Gathering, as well as in Synod Schools in both Lincoln Trails and Synod of the Covenant. With her daughter Lena, she enjoys camping and many kinds of music.

John Sterner, Commissioned Lay Pastor (Bible 101)
John Sterner is commissioned lay pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Albion, and the Chairperson of the Transformation Committee of the Presbytery of Lake Michigan. He holds advanced degrees in psychology and education, and is the author of 4 books. John has a certificate in Spiritual Formation from Columbia Theological Seminary, and in addition to pastoring churches, John has been employed as a clinical psychologist, a salesperson and a consultant in quality systems. He is married to Peggy, and together they boast nine biological and adopted children, and thirteen grandchildren.

The Rev. Ted Jones (Hands-On Spiritual Formation)

Ted is an honorably retired minister in the Presbytery of the Western Reserve. He and Mary McGrath, his wife, form “Hollow Wick Soul Works,” ministry of healing, spiritual direction, and leadership retreats. They live in the “Old Brooklyn” neighborhood of Cleveland, OH.

Carla Mavis, (A Taste of John Ortberg)

Carla is a long time Synod School and Covenant Gathering attendee and faculty member. Carla is also past-chair of the Covenant Gathering Leadership Team. She has been teaching adults in her home church off and on for the last 10 years. She has two grown children and lives in Jackson, Ohio.

Beth Delaney (Through the Lens: The Spiritual Practice of Photography)

Beth Delaney is a candidate for ministry serving the Filipino American Presbyterian Fellowship in Southfield, MI. She has a deep interest in contemplative prayer and spiritual practices. Beth was a computer programmer with over 20 years experience, before leaving the profession to go into ministry. She is a graduate of Ecumenical Theological Seminary in Detroit. She has also worked as a hospice chaplain. Beth is married to Stuart and they have two college- aged children.

The Rev. Estelle Aaron (Agenda for the 21st Century)

The Rev. Estelle Aaron is a graduate of Wayne State University and McCormick Theological Seminary. She currently provides church development/ transformation contract staff support for the Presbytery of Detroit. She serves on the presbytery Committee on Ministry (Temporary Pastoral Relations Committee) and is also the current moderator for Calvin East Presbyterian church. Estelle is a wife, mother and grandmother.

The Rev. Lynn Fonfara (I'm Not Crazy; I'm Grieving)

The Rev. Lynn Fonfara is the pastor of Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church in Citrus Springs, Florida. As a parish pastor, she has helped people as individuals and in small groups cope with the losses of beloved family members. She and husband Mike are frequent participants in the Covenant Gathering community.

The Rev. Alice McDowell (The Art and Symbolism of Ukrainian Eggs)

The Rev. Alice McDowell grew up in a family of artists and musicians. Her grandparents both taught at the Art Institute of Chicago, and her sister was a professional artist who exhibited in galleries nationwide. Alice channels her artistry into art quilting, watercolors and other crafts, often incorporating them into worship and retreats. Professionally, Alice has specialized as an interim pastor for more than 20 years. She is currently interim at Fairplain Presbyterian Church, Benton Harbor, MI. She lives in Benton Harbor with her two cats, Caruso and Mazurka.