Alicia Beaver
Finances
Hi, I am Alicia Beaver and I live in Sioux Center, Iowa, with my husband, Tom. We have two children, Travis and Tracey, who are students at the University of Sioux Falls, SD, and for right now that is pretty much their home. Working for the Synod of the Heartland has been my career. I have had many different responsibilities at the Synod, my main focus at this time is treasurer/clerk. I went to the first Rocky as a student and have been a part of the organizing team in various capacities from there on. I never tire of seeing God at work in the mountains. He always has something prepared for us that is truly amazing. I am anxious to see what that will be in 2011.
As parents, Tom and I, have enjoyed going to and cheering on our kids in their sports activities – high school and college. Travis is finishing his senior college football season. USF has been a great team to watch and Tom, Tracey, and I have enjoyed the trips and people we have met along the way. Other family interests are camping and boating. We love summer! I enjoy walking, riding bike, coffee with friends, reading, and eating out.
I love spending time with my family and being a Good Samaritan to those in need.
Arlin Van Gorp
Off-Campus Recreation
Hi! My name is Arlin Van Gorp. I have been on the organizing team since 2002 planning the off-campus recreation. For the past 26 years I have owned and operated Countryside Body Shop Inc. doing auto body repair and graphic design for both automobiles and business signage near Sioux Center, Iowa.
I have lived out my passion working with young people. For 30 years, I have gone on many mission projects—from the mountains of Montana to the hllls of West Virginia—worked retreats and TEC weekends. My desire is that each person I have worked with will come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
I met my wife, Janene while we were in high school; we married 3 1/2 years later. She became an RN and worked at the local hospital until she became a stay at home Mom and bookkeeper for the shop. We will be married 34 years this June, have 3 married children and are expectant grandparents for the first time with TWINS!
We really enjoy spending time with our family boating, water skiing, biking, and camping in our 5th wheel trailer. My favorite hobby is flying a powered paraglider. Overall, I enjoy any outdoor activity and am very good at repair projects. I hope to meet many of you at RMH 2010!
Bob Cleveringa
Synod Youth Director
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
Brad Schelling
After Hours Activities
So, you are interested in me… well, there are a few things you should know up front. First, I am married! Sorry ladies. Erika and I have been together since August 16, 1997 and have 3 kids: Josiah, Kaci, and Morgan.
I serve as the city expansion director for First Priority of America. Most of my workday is spent working with new FP cities as they share the vision in their city of bringing churches together to extend their ministry onto the middle and high schools. I then get to help walk through the steps and stresses of organizing their ministry in the community.
I have been in full time student ministry since 1997 serving at the Oak Harbor CRC (Whidbey Island) in WA and at First Reformed Church of Sioux Falls, SD before joining FPOA in January of 2008. The rest of my day is spent with my family hanging out at our home that sits on 1.3 acres just outside Sioux Falls. I’ll probably be remodeling something, reading a book or two (either to myself or my kids), or buying cheap junk on an auction.
I enjoy participating in CrossRoads TEC and being on that board. I don’t like pain. I try to spend a few days each year with the family in Wyoming on a snowmobile, on a lake somewhere in the Midwest, and being in the crowd of a football, basketball, or hockey game, a concert, or at an amusement park. Someday I hope to race a sprint car at Huset’s Speedway, skydive (probably later in life just in case that causes death), and maybe participate in a triathlon (sprint not ironman).
Bryce Vander Stelt
Off-Campus Recreation
I am from Maurice, Iowa. I have helped with planning Off-Campus Recreation since 2007. My wife Erin and I live on the campus of Northwestern College in Orange City, IA. We have been married since December 19, 2009. Working with youth is a passion of mine; I am working on finishing my degree in youth ministry. I have spent 3 years interning with the Maurice Reformed, high school youth group and have seen God at work in many instances.
Some of my interests include playing guitar, watching movies, scrabble, Buffalo Wild Wings, camping, and sitting around a fire talking about life.
If you are coming to Rocky, I hope you’re ready for God to work in your life as we come together to worship our God in his beautiful creation.
Erik Buteyn
On-Campus Activities
My name is Rev. Erik Buteyn and I am the lead pastor for Higher Ground, a church plant in Plano, TX. My primary responsibilities include making sure everything happens for Sunday morning worship. Because we meet in a movie theater, there are a lot of moving parts every Sunday morning! I am also guiding our regular volunteer work n the community and write a weekly devotional that I send out to over 1500 readers across the country.
I started in ministry in Plano, Texas, after graduating from Princeton Theological Seminary. The best part of my first call was that I served alongside my grandfather and father in the church he planted in 1978! Since then I was called to church planting and have enjoyed the challenge tremendously.
I have three boys that are the light of my life, Landon, Tristan, and Jackson. They keep me incredibly busy and unbelievably entertained.
Interests: running, snowboarding, beaches, movies, books, all sports, and music.
Passions: Finding God's work in the community and joining him there, watching lives transformed by the positive gospel of Christ, and l have an incredible passion for life! God is Good! All the Time!
Greg Haverdink
Production & Programming
Hi, my name is Greg Haverdink. I’ve been married to my wife Laura for more than 30 years. We have four children. Our family continues to grow as our children get married and have children of their own.
Laura teaches over 150 students String Music in Orange City each week and all of our kids play a stringed instrument. I joke that we have more money invested in instruments than in our vehicles.
I have worked at Wells Dairy (Blue Bunny) in Le Mars, IA since 1980 – the Ice Cream Capitol of the World. I don’t actually make any ice cream, though. I take care of the telephones, cell phones, audio and video conferencing, and long distance service. I also help out with audio and video projects. I’m a tech guy.
In my spare time I enjoy making furniture for my family. I also have a small business where I rent audio and video equipment for a variety of purposes. I call it Celebration Media Services. More recently this has led to doing consulting for churches that want to upgrade their audio and/or video systems. I really enjoy working with them to make their project a success.
Kayla Arndt
Rocky Intern
Hey Everyone! I am the Intern for this year’s Rocky Mountain High. I am a junior at Northwestern College here in Orange City, and I am pursuing a degree in Public Relations. I am very excited to be on the other side of things this year compared to being the high school student and attending the event.
My hometown is Chancellor, South Dakota although I did grow up in different parts of the world since my Dad was in the Navy and we moved around a lot. Being a military kid has taught me so much about life. My parents, brother and I are a close family since all we had were each other the years my dad was in the military. I am grateful for such a loving family.
Ever since junior high I have had a strong passion to work in the ministry field. I love being able help our youth grow and come to know Christ. I have spent my last two summers at Inspiration Hills as a counselor. I loved being part of the kids walk with Christ. Although camp is a strong passion of mine I am excited to turn things up and work with Rocky Mountain High and experience something different in helping the youth grow a closer relationship with God.
Interests: Scrapbooking, traveling, hanging out with friends, sports for fun, camping, boating, snowmobiling, four-wheeling and having fun.
Passions: Seeing the power of prayer, growing in my own relationship with God, watching the Holy Spirit move people, fellowship, lending a hand, worship, exploring God’s creation, and seeing people use their God given talents.
Kristin Franken
Synod Youth Coordinator
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, driving, 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
Mark Raymon
Security
Hey, I am Mark. I live in Hills MN--a slingshot away from Iowa and a howitzer from South Dakota. I am happily married to the only person who can keep me grounded, Becky. I am a volunteer firefighter and for my real job, I work for Farmers Elevator Cooperative in Alvord. Rocky 2008 was a blast; you might have seen me working with the EMT's. This year I will be stepping into a new role as head of security, OohRah. Although I am a big guy, my heart is huge. I am stoked for what God has planned for Rocky 2011 and can hardly wait...it's so hard to contain my excitement!
Interests: free lunch at Rocky, paintball, airsoft, working out, hunting, driving golf carts (and loosing golf clubs out the back), fire fighting, the marines
Passions: my family, youth, church, making people laugh, serving where there is a need
Pam Kimpson
Hospitality & Seminars
My name is Pam Kimpson and I am excited to have served youth and youth ministries through the Rocky Mountain High Organizing Team for about 8 years or so (give or take). I have loved creating the devotional material each time and recently have been assigned coordinator of the hospitality area. We are the ones that get to feed and take care of the bands, speakers and support teams.
My real job is working alongside some of the staff in the Synod of the Heartland Ministries in the area of Discipleship. Most directly caring for and resourcing Children’s and Adult Ministry Directors of the 160 plus churches in the Synod. I also am a church planting wife who wears many hats in the areas of women’s and children’s ministries. I have a husband named Darrin who loves any Iowa sporting team and three kids-Brooke-8, Maria-5 and Davis-almost a year old. They all give me great joy each day.
My hobbies and passions include: shopping with friends, sleeping (I have a baby), kick-boxing and dance, scrapbooking, and ministering to young women and college students. I’m counting the days until we can all be together again worshipping and learning about God in the Rocky Mountains!
Tim Walsten
Main Session Programming
I am originally from Cedar Falls, IA and started attending Orchard Hill Church as a third grader in 1989. I participated in our youth and student ministries as a student, volunteered while attending college at University of Northern Iowa, and had the opportunity to join the leadership of the student ministry team as a staff member at Orchard in January of 2005. I have the privilege of playing a role in the programming and worship music direction of CHAOS (junior high), Big House (senior high), and BASIC (college) as well as leading an annual mission trip over Spring Break and pointing our annual high school summer trip called Caravan. I went to my first Rocky Mountain High in 1999 to help lead worship with the Salty Dogs worship band. Returned to lead again in 2002, then again in 2005. In 2006 I was asked to take a role on the Organizing Team to help plan, organize, and implement the big room sessions for Rocky.
It’s a great honor to partner with my wife Shelby as we strive to further God’s Kingdom here in the Cedar Valley and beyond. We met at U.N.I. and married in 2004. Shelby works in Waverly, IA as a physical therapist and we enjoy spending time together with our friends and family, watching movies, attending student events, and going on vacations together. I am very passionate about relevant, authentic, passionate worship through music and developing a high energy programmed event that unites students where they can grow through worship, teaching, community and then ultimately get plugged into a small group that challenges each member to take a step closer to Christ.
Tracy Cleveringa
Missions
Hi! My name is Tracy Cleveringa, and I am a part of the Organizing Team for Rocky Mountain High. My focus is on missions/service. I'm thrilled to be working on a new aspect for RMH - a food packing event to help feed people in third world countries.
My family and I live in Orange City, Iowa. I'm married to Brad, who manages the Orange City Pizza Ranch. Yes, we get free pizza, and yes, I do occasionally get tired of it. (I get asked that a lot!) I have a little daughter named Morgan, who brings so much joy to my life, and a yellow lab named Kiahna. I used to teach 8th grade math at MOC-Floyd Valley Middle School, but now I enjoy being a stay at home mom. I am an assistant tennis coach at Northwestern College, and I also sell Tastefully Simple foods.
Prior to living in Orange City, I have lived all over the country: Southern California; Tampa, Florida; Clara City, Minnesota; and Chowchilla, California. I also studied in London, England for a semester, during which I travelled to over 10 different countries. It was an incredible opportunity!
My hobbies include traveling, serving on mission trips, baking and cooking, scrapbooking, sewing, and playing tennis. My favorite foods are cheese, potatoes, and eggs (in that order), and I really am a math geek (hence being a math teacher).
Thanks for checking out my bio! I hope to get to meet you at Rocky Mountain High 2011!
Walt Rogers
Stage Coordinator
Hi, my name is Walt Rogers and I am the founder of Urban Hope Leadership in Iowa’s Cedar Valley. I am also a State Representative from Cedar Falls. I have lived in the Cedar Falls area my whole life, attended the University of Northern Iowa and worked in business, industry and ministry.
My wife and I married in college and started raising a family early. I have three children, Jonathan, Alli and Michael, all who have played in the bands at Rocky. Jonathan and Alli are both married and have given us two beautiful grandchildren (and there is another on the way)! James and Avery light up our lives!
I have been part of the organizing team for many Rocky’s, originally playing in the band “Salty Dogs” several years back. I would like to start a movement to excite Rocky students to climb Long’s peak! I have been to the top twice and think we should all try it!
Interests: reading, sports, politics and my family.
Passions: helping people discover their God given gifts and utilizing them fully!