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 Kelly grew up in Sioux Center , IA. He graduated from Dordt College in Sioux Center in 2002 with a degree in English, Secondary Education and a Bible minor. While at Dordt, he was involved extensively in worship leading and also fell in love with writing. April grew up on a dairy farm near Hospers , IA. She also graduated from Dordt College in 2002 with a degree in Psychology. While at Dordt she was involved with Student Government and an earth-keeping organization (Shamar). Her interests lie in family and marriage counseling as well as peace-keeping. Kelly and April were married in their sophmore year at Dordt and have had extensive opportunities to serve God together. They have participated in week-long service projects in Washington, D.C., Camden, NJ, and Cincinnatti, OH. They also studied in Amsterdam for a semester and worked with Youth With a Mission (YWAM) while living there.  While living in Amsterdam, they developed an deep passion for the European culture. The summer before their senior year they began looking for an organization that would allow them to do missions in Europe. After contacting Crossroads International Church in Amsterdam, they found Christian Associates, a grace-oriented church-planting organization that encourages them to engage the European culture. Kelly and April started with Christian Associates in 2002 by working for Mountainview International Church in Madrid, Spain. They spent their time in the city, building relationships within the International community and initiating Mountainview's small-group structure. Kelly and April's passion for the urban city center of Madrid developed into a ministry called "Oasis," and eventually in late 2005 became a new church plant called Oasis Madrid. The mission of Oasis Madrid is to be a Christ-centered community that helps people follow Jesus. At the moment, April is completing a Masters in Peace and Development Studies from the Universidad de Jaime I in Castellón de la Plana. Kelly is working as a Community Developer for Oasis Madrid Church, supporting and training young leaders to build communities of faith in Spain that see the needs of their cities and bring hope and healing through Jesus Christ. If you are interested in supporting Kelly and April in their ministry with Christian Associates and Oasis Madrid Church, click here to learn more. |
