Brittany Bennett, Eastern University:  

Kathryn Norregaard is known as “the loud girl who never stops talking”.  Thus, she is a Communications major at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago.  She loves playing the guitar, walking barefoot, biking, reading, photography, and climbing trees.  She is passionate about promoting social justice and informing others about the environmental root (pun intended) to many of these issues.





Curtis Witek, Wheaton College:

Curtis Witek is a sophomore at Wheaton College, Illinois.  As an Environmental Studies major who is currently pursuing a certificate in Urban Studies, Curtis is concerned with the relationship between the city and the surrounding regions/systems that support it.  He is currently researching climate change at the community level in Chicago with the ECCo (Environment, Culture, and Conservation) department of the Field Museum.  Curtis' other interests include playing bass in Jazz combos, snowboarding, traveling, and exploring new coffee shops around Chicago. 





Kory deGroot, The Kings University College

Kory is in his third year of  BSc. in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Biology. He was born and raised in Emo, Ontario, a super small town of about 1300 people and loved it! He is concerned about the way we are headed in terms of over use of resources and negative impacts on the environment. He feels that it is one of God's purposes for our lives to take care of what he has given us so others and we ourselves can enjoy it.  He also loves learning more about the environment and getting involved in clubs and talking about it. He is involved in the club on campus called King's Keepers, which promotes creation care on campus. Kory also enjoys snowboarding, soccer (indoor and outdoor), fishing, every type of music, having coffee with friends, being in the mountains, and hanging out with family.



Ray Low, New York University

Ray Low is almost always introduced by name along with "He likes orange," as if it wasn't already visibly evident from everything he owns. Instead, Ray prefers to be introduced as a vegetarian who cares for animals and tries to bring God's creation into the picture as he observes the barren streets of New York City, where he attends school. Born in New Orleans, moved to Illinois, and finally settled in the Big Apple, Ray's family loves to travel, and consequently he has seen much of Asia. He enjoys playing guitar and singing, and has written much of his own music.










Rebekah Jones, Cedarville University

Rebekah Jones is a senior environmental science major at Cedarville University in southern Ohio. She hails from northeastern Ohio and loves the hills and trees that are missing at school. She is minoring in history and Bible and loves being outdoors. Rebekah is involved in Cedarville's environmental org, Pro Terra Forma, as well as a nursing home ministry. Her other interests include traveling, reading, philosophy, swimming and eating yummy food.



Matthew Vander Molen, Northwestern College (Iowa)

Matt has fallen in love with rustic creation. Even though he grew up surrounded by corn fields in Iowa, his heart is in the mountains, the vast open steppes, the diverse forests of the world.  He dreams way too much, loves to explore just about anything, and loves losing himself in a good story.

But what about reality? Environmental degradation, starvation, epidemics, poor water quality, just to name a few. As a Christian, Matt feels invited to be a part of God's kingdom which definitely encompasses care of this wonderful creation which we are a part of.  Matt wrestles with what this means, exactly, in his life - but realizes that just like most things with God, his questions are a part of quite an exciting journey.

Matt is pumped to be a part of Renewal, although he must admit that he is more or less a novice in the realm of creation care.  His prayer is that he may learn, connect, and do good, worthwhile, meaningful work within the fellowship of believers that make up Renewal. He can't wait!


Patty Lin, Bethel University

Patty Lin is a sophomore at Bethel University, double majoring in Biology and Secondary Life Science Education. She tries to find ways to give back with the gifts God has given her. She loves piano, dance, Chinese, and science. She loves to teach. She teaches what she loves. She spent a semester studying in Belize, Central America with Creation Care Study Program, naturally sparking a love for Belize and caring for creation. She still has much to learn but is trying to be a sponge. It’s still a work in progress she but hopes to surround herself with people who will support and challenge her.










Lauren Westerman, Covenant College

Lauren Westerman is a senior at Covenant College. She is an environmental biology major and mathematics minor. Lauren is from Portage, MI but found herself in Georgia for her college years. She is a recycling coordinator in Covenant’s Campus Stewardship Committee and is also involved in Reformed University Fellowship. She also enjoys hiking, camping, birding, and reading.








Julie Arnold, Concordia College

Julie Arnold is one of six brothers and sisters and currently a junior at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota studying Sociology and mathematics. Her passion and love for God's creation was initially inspired and strongly influenced by her family's lifestyle at home- making good whole foods for daily family dinners, the huge family garden, the emphasis her parents put on living simply, and their family camping, hiking, and backpacking trips to state and national parks. Julie can't wait to be part of the Renewal Student Leadership Team!