Inspire 2021 had to be postponed for a year due to the COVID pandemic. For those who needed a little something to hold them over until August 2022, we provided Inspire “Light” 2021. In August 2021, we presented a series of virtual events that provided a snack-sized portion of what Inspire has to offer.
Katie Ritsema Roelofs is a Commissioned Pastor in the CRC and serves as a worship catalyzer with the office of Worship Ministries. She is also the Minister of Music and Worship at the Washington, DC CRC, a role she has been in since 2006. Katie is a life-long musician who has been passionate about church music and worship since childhood. That led her to a degree in music and worship from Calvin University, seminary studies at Reformed Theological Seminary, and now full-time ministry work in several different contexts. She and her husband and three young children reside in Maryland and enjoy participation in the life of all their various communities.
Rick Zomer serves as the executive director of ThereforeGo Ministries, a ministry that collaborates with local churches in their youth ministry efforts through summer mission opportunities and encourages congregations to build connections with emerging adults. Prior to his current role Rick worked as the director of Next Generation Engagement for the Reformed Church in America. Previously, he spent 25 years in Christian higher education as an associate dean for residence life, faculty member, and director of enrollment initiatives. He has a bachelor's degree in economics from Calvin College, a masters in higher education from Kent State University, and a PhD in educational leadership from Western Michigan University. He and his wife Michelle live in Grand Rapids, Mich, where they attend 5th Reformed Church.
Reggie Smith was born and raised on Chicago’s west side in the North Lawndale neighborhood. After attending university and working at Kirkland & Ellis law firm and Spiegel’s in Chicago, he felt the Lord calling him into ministry. He moved to Grand Rapids to attend Calvin Theological Seminary and earned his Masters of Divinity degree. He was ordained into the Christian Reformed ministry in 1994. Dr. Smith has served churches in Chicago, Ill, Paterson, NJ, and the Roosevelt Park neighborhood of Grand Rapids, Mich. In 2004, he obtained his Doctor of Ministry degree from Western Theological Seminary. In addition to publishing numerous articles, book chapters, blog posts and devotionals, he has been an adjunct professor and instructor at Western Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids Theological Seminary, and Calvin Theological Seminary. Currently, Dr. Smith serves as the director of diversity for the CRCNA. He and his wife, Sharon, have been married for 31 wonderful years. Together, they are committed to modeling a life of racial reconciliation in a cross-cultural urban setting. He is the proud father of three beautiful daughters including twins Katrina and Mariah, and their older sister Janelle.
Beth Fellinger is a wife, mother, grandmother and foodie (party thrower). She has also been a pastor for over 40 years and has been involved in both urban and rural settings, organized churches and church plants. Beth currently holds the role of Regional Mission Leader for Resonate in Eastern Canada. She does life at full speed and believes every day is a gift. She is a cancer survivor that lives life and honors those who didn’t get tomorrow. Her daily motto is always about moving people one step closer to Jesus than they were before. At Inspire Light, she will encourage people to imagine a seed—a small thought of the "what if" variety. As the seed takes root in your mind and your heart, you begin wondering what the harvest of that seed could look like. Milestone #4 of Our Journey 2025 gives us the opportunity to imagine what the seed of mission could look like in your church, community and context. Let's discover the possibilities of planting seeds.
