Lauri Boote

My name is Lauri Boote. My husband, Arvin, and I live on a farm by Hull where we produce corn and beans. I also teach Reading, Language, and Spelling in the Resource Room part-time at St. Patrick’s School in Sheldon.

I am a member of the First Reformed Church in Hull where I teach 4th grade Sunday School, sing in the choir, am a member of the Bell Choir and serve on the Mission Outreach Team. I enjoy being a part of the Power Connection organizing team. It excites me to see Jr. High age students come together for Work Camp to serve others and to be challenged and grow in their faith at Power Connection.

I love being able to serve those around, do not like being put in the spot light and think Arvin looks cute when he drives his tractor.

Bethany Bousema

Hey All, I am very excited to be part of the Power Connection organizing team.  There are so many ways to describe one’s self, but first and foremost it is my prayer to be described as a follower of Jesus Christ.  Secondly, I am a 27 year old middle school English teacher living in Hull, Iowa.  I was blessed to be married to a wonderful man named Justin for two and half years before the Lord called him home and made his faith sight in April of 2008.  I do not have children of my own, but I have been blessed with numerous nieces and nephews of whom I can only say, “My cup runneth over!”  I have a 4.5 pound Pomeranian named Dudley who rules the roost and keeps me company. 

Some of my passions include singing, speaking, reading and blogging.  I love leading worship at my church, the American Reformed Church in Hull and working with the children’s choir.  In the summer time I help plan a great outdoor music event called Rock the Block that my late husband started.  It is a highlight for me every year!  I enjoy meeting new people and spending time with my family and friends as well.  My favorite cuisine is Mexican…the hotter the better!  Attending Power Connection as a youth is one of my favorite memories of growing up.  I pray that it will continue to be a blessing to all of the young individuals who encounter our Living Lord through the Power Connection experience.

Bob Cleveringa

Hi! I’m Bob Cleveringa and I’m the Director of Youth Ministry for Synod of the Heartland. I’ve been working in the synod office since 1998. Before that I spent many years as a youth pastor, farmed, and did construction. Taking on this roll at the synod office was a big change for me but the challenges have been fun. I love working each event and seeing how God moves and works in the lives of both leaders and students.
Back in the day, (okay it was 1975) I married my high school sweetheart and we have had the privilege of raising 7 children and now have 7 grandchildren! I have been so blessed by my wife and family.
On a daily basis I get to encourage, equip and empower youth leaders and see the impact it has on their youth. This job has allowed me to dream big dreams and see the Holy Spirit work in filling those out!

Interests: hunting, horseback riding, seeing if I can make my desk messier today than it was yesterday, worship music, skiing, drumming, watching movies in the barn, crucial conversations

Passions: my family, youth ministry, team building, seeing peoples gifts being used, networking, Dr Pepper

Kristin Franken

Hey, I’m Kristin. Thanks for checking out my profile. I am the blonde girl that you’ll probably see flying around at all the events trying to keep Bob in line. I am Bob’s Administrative Assistant at the synod office and love being a part of planning and attending each youth event! I grew up in a little town called Smithers, in Northern British Columbia (Canada—near the panhandle of Alaska). Upon graduating high school, I decided to venture toward warmer weather and attended university in Southern California for 4 years. After college I moved to New Zealand and worked in the land down under for a year. I love to travel and experience different cultures if you can’t tell! I started working for the Youth Ministry office April 1st, 2009 (great day to start a new job... the April Fools jokes people can get away with!!) and continue to fall in love with seeing youth and their leaders living-it-up for Jesus!!!! I get to help provide a space for the Holy Spirit to move and move he does! Drop by and say hi sometime! I like to think I’m pretty friendly, love meeting people and hearing people’s stories.

Interests: traveling, laughing, being spontaneous, reading, camping, hiking, climbing, almost anything to do with water, all sorts of music, eating good food, hanging with friends, hockey, dancing, watching movies

Passions: the beauty of God’s creation, seeing the Holy Spirit move, prayer, community, knowing Jesus more today than I did yesterday

David Smit 

Hey! I’m David Smit.  I grew up on a farm just north of Hull, Iowa.  I am currently a junior at Northwestern College in Orange City.  I am majoring in Youth Ministry and I am also getting a minor in Business.  I’m not positive where God will call me after college.  I can see myself being involved in a Youth Ministry program at a church or farming; or a combination of both.  I have a wonderful girlfriend, Trisha, who wants to attend grad school to become a Vet, so I will have to follow her for a few years to start a career.  I enjoy working with youth and making connections with them.  I also am very active at New Life Reformed Church in Sioux Center, Iowa.  I am a BASIC (Brothers And Sisters in Christ) sponsor with their Youth Program.  I also play guitar for praise team a couple Sundays every month.  I really have enjoyed getting plugged into New Life in the past few years and being challenged by God.  My hobbies include riding four-wheeler and boating in the summer, and of course snowmobiling in the winter.  I also enjoy the outdoors and working on the farm.  I love watching movies, playing video games, working with computers and anything technical.  I’m excited to be able to work with Power Connection and serve others in this new opportunity!

Richard Schwanke

My name is Richard Schwanke and I call myself a professional volunteer. I love getting involved in activities in which my only reward is being able to see God at work in the lives of those we serve. This volunteering takes many different forms in church, at school and with the Synod office working with Power Connection.

In my non-volunteer life, I have worked for the past 20 years in various industrial settings; most recently Adams Thermal Systems in Canton, SD. I draw the pretty pictures that show how to make the products we sell. Nothing to exciting, but I am more than willing to do the task that others do not want to do.

My better half is a fantastic gal, Lisa, who works for Hope Haven in Rock Valley. She helps keep me in line and is helping tag team raise 3 wonderful boys—each of which has their own special personality. Cooper in currently enrolled at NWC, Logan is active in the 8th grade and Carter keeps the teachers guessing in 3rd grade.

In our spare time the family seems to go in several different directions: including sporting events (kids participating and myself just watching and cheering), the movies, concerts, church activities and shopping w/ the wife.

Jerome Van De Stroet

My name is Jerome Van De Stroet.  I live and farm just across the river in Iowa, but the closest town is Fairview, SD. I have been married to my wife Tami for nearly 20 years. We have three children: Caleb (17), Kaylee (13) and Elijah (5).
Bethany Reformed Church in Canton, SD has been my church home since childhood. At Bethany, I enjoy working with middle school youth and being involved with mission work. I have been known for driving a big yellow youth bus with a huge whale painted on the side!    
My hobbies include fishing, riding four-wheeler, reading, working TECs, tinkering and hunting. A passion of mine is working with kids to put their faith into action



Michael Dykstra

Hello I am Michael Dykstra. I am from Orange City and have been involved with Power Connection since 2007. I help with the tech team doing video editing and help maintain the Synod's website.

I graduated from Northwestern College in Orange City where I majored in Business Administration. I work for Northwestern College as a Computer Support Specialist were I help students and employees with various computer problems.

In my free time I like to go camping, biking and watch The Office.