Chicago Cru

Jeff Koch – Metro Director

Originally from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, I studied nuclear engineering and graduated from the University of Michigan in 1992.  I’ve been married to my wonderful wife Angela for 11 years, and we have 5 children: Brittany, Joshua, Elise, Cora, and Lydia with a sixth on the way in January!  I’ve lived in Indiana, Florida, East Asia, and South Carolina.  Our family moved to Chicago in 2000 and we live it here in the city.  I enjoy working on projects around the house, my 165 gallon saltwater aquarium, and hanging out with my family.

Malissa Mackey – Metro Director

I was born in Racine, Wisconsin and raised in Sylvania, OH.  I graduated from Wittenberg University in 1997 with a degree in Biology.  Though my intention all along was to be a Marine Biologist, I discovered God had other plans for me by my Junior year.  I joined staff in the summer of 1997 and was assigned to the Metro Ministry in Detroit, where i was a Director for 7 years.  I am now thrilled and so confident that the Lord has called me to Chicago.  I’m a life-long Cubs and Bears fan!  I love traveling, going to movies, concerts and sporting events.  I love getting to know and serve this great city!

Andy Brandt – Metro Director of Operations

I grew up in the Detroit area and am a huge fan of all the sports teams from that area.  After graduating from Central Michigan University with a degree in Computer Science in 2003 I joined staff and was placed in Chicago.  I got married in the Spring of 2007 to a wonderful and beautiful woman who has the same first and middle name as my sister.  In August we had our first child, a beautiful baby boy named Avery.  In my spare time I love to hang out with my family, play or watch sports, waste time in the internet and read (mostly non-fiction), or cooking.

Mark Covel – Ethnic Student Ministries Team Leader

I grew up in Michigan and wen to Saginaw Valley State University, where my intramural indoor soccer team placed second and I was president of the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship chapter.  I moved to Chicago in 1999 to attend Moody Grad School.  While here God gave me a sweet job teaching English as a Second Language in Chinatown.  I joined staff after I graduated with my Masters in Divinity in 2003.  Over the last few years photography has become a fun hobby and I especially enjoy taking pictures of birds.

Angela Koch

I grew up in Michigan, but spent my high school years in London, England and then Taipeai, Taiwan.  That’s where God showed me He loved me and I decided to follow Jesus.  The University of Michigan’s Campus Crusade is where I learned how.  I joined staff in 1994 and moved all over the place before landing in Chicago.  All of that seems a lifetime ago; daily life now is diapers, PB&J sandwiches, home schooling our kids, and glimpses into the lives of college students in Chicago.  Anytime you want to stop by and let me have a glimpse, the door’s open, and we’ll probalby bake you some chocolate chip cookies.

Amy Brandt

I love the city!  I love the people and the great diversity!  After growing up in a small town I went to college at the University of Detroit Mercy where I studied history, English, and African American Studies.  When I graduated I joined the staff of Here’s Life Inner City, the urban ministry of Campus Crusade.  In March 2007 I married Andy and transfered to work with Chicago Cru.  We had our first child Avery in August and I love being a mom!  In my spare time I like reading novels (I started a book club last year), watching sports, and hanging out with my nieces and nephews.

Michael Rose

I grew up in Miami, FL but, 1993, I moved to Buffalo Grove, IL.  In 1999, I trusted my life to Jesus Christ and it has never been the same since.  In 2005, I graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Landscape Horticulture and Design, after which I joined staff.  I lived in Puebla, Mx summer of 2004 and as a result I enjoy anything Poblano, including putting avocado slices on everything.  I married Hope in 2006 and we are expecting our first child this spring!  Some other hobbies I enjoy are singing, horseback riding, swing dancing, skiing, gardening, strategy board games and my salt water aquarium.

Hope Rose

I am from Orleans, Indiana, a small town south of Indiana University.  I attended Purdue University and graduated in 2006 with an Elementary Education degree.  I married Michael in 2006 and we moved to Chicago in the summer of  2007.  We are expecting our first child this spring.  Some of my favorite things are camping, backpacking, horseback riding, swing dancing and Chi Town!  I also enjoy exotic foods – Thai food especially.  When I am not working I love to spend time cooking and taking walks with my husband and our dogs.

Emily Cernoia – Bridges International Staff

I grew up in Cleveland, Oh (a lovely and totally under-rated city) where I was exposed to many cultures, good Polish food and the most loyal sports fans in the nation.  After graduating from Miami University with a BA in Anthropology I served for two wonderfully sanctifying years with CCC in Skopje, Macedonia (also a lovely and under-rated city). It was here that my love for three-hour Turkish coffee breaks, razing cab drivers, and the warm people of the Balkans was kindled. In God’s graciousness, He now has me working with international students in Chicago with Bridges International and living in Ukrainian Willage.

Melissa Rike

I grew up in the suburbs of Pittsburgh and graduated in ’05 from Miami University with a degree in Art History, which basically means I can write really long papers about random things.  As a student, I discovered my new favorite place while on summer project- Macedonia.  I went on to Stint there for 2 crazy years and realized that I wanted to continue working with college students in big cities…which led to joining staff and coming to Chicago!  These days my interests include traveling overseas any chance I get, hanging out, art, other cultures, the Steelers & Penguins, anything Euro, reading, and going on roadtrips.   Some things that do not interest me are board games, being cold, and Halloween.

Chris Boeyink

Before I get into explaining a little about myself, I will first explain my name.  It’s pronunciation is simply “boink.”  Do not be ashamed if you giggle at that, as most people do.  It is a Dutch name, from the province of Gelderland which is right on the border with Germany.  You may be wondering if I was ever tormented as a child – having the last name of Boeyink.  I was not, for i grew up in a small Dutch community in Iowa called Pella, and there we all had odd names, and thus suffered together.  I am married to a wonderful and beautiful woman – Andrea, and enjoy the same things she does, with the exception of jewelry.  I am a graduate of Emhust College  and a servant of the Most High God.

Andrea Boeyink

I grew up on a dairy farm in Ohio.  I was one of those little girls who always wanted a horse but never got one… instead I rode the cows.  I went to Northwest State Community College and left wtih an Associate of Arts.  My plan was to transfer to OSU and become a teacher, but God wouldn’t leave me alone about Chicago, and instead, I interned with Campus Crusade for two years in the City, and met my husband there.  I like: my man, the outdoors, animals, art, people, jewelry, shopping, road-trips, best friends, new places, poetry, good conversations and good books, LOTR, music – especially live, and almost all games (except the one that shocks you when you loose — seriously, it’s a real game).  I think Chicago will always amaze me.

Hung Lu

I grew up in Toledo, Ohio, but in 2002 after graduating from the University of Dayton, I moved to Columbus, Ohio.  I am Chinese and Vietnamese.  I trusted Christ with my life in 1998 at a Crusade party.  Before coming on staff I worked in the marketplace, as a youth pastor, and as a counselor.  I went on Stint to Mecedonia in 2005.  I’ve now been on 6 summer projects.  I joined staff in 2006 and moved to Chicago last year.  I love to swing dance, have deep conversations, read, write, and spend time with Jesus.  I live in the city with two crazy roommates and we love to have people over.

Christine Gurley

Hi! I grew up in Beach Park, which is an hour north of the city.. to far to be considered a suburb, but still in Illinois.  I graduated from Illinois State University in 2005 with a degree in Mass Communication… so I think radio and people are pretty awesome.  I was an intern on the staff team in Chicago for two years and now I’m back as staff!  Some of my favorite things are rock shows, laughing, the city of Chicago, and The Cosby Show.  My favorite food is corn dogs and I believe taht everything tastes better with cheese.  Oh yes, I’ve become pretty good at driving my car with my knee too.

Popularity: unranked [?]