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You're Impacting Kids... We're Here to Help!
Enter your leader sign-in information below to access the Leader Hub!
For troubleshooting or assistance, please contact Grace Ritzema at [email protected]
My passion for the next generation comes from my personal experience of losing my dad at twelve years old. I never forgot how challenging those times were. I lived in close proximity to brokenness, despair, confusion and depression. But God blessed me with a mother that introduced me to the hope that lies in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
As an adult I realized how critically important one caring adult and the Gospel was to changing the trajectory of a life. Now, it’s my turn to be that one caring adult and share the Gospel. Children aren’t in our way..they are on our path!
I am married to my high school sweetheart Kimberly and we have four amazing children. I hold a degree in Biblical Theology and have served in Ministry over the last 15 years. I love reading, ice cream, ESPN and family movie night!
“Children are a gift from the lord, they are a reward from him” Psalm 127:3
Coming Soon!
My love for God influences every single aspect of my life. Because He first loved me, I can radiate His glory in humble service with gratitude. My favorite way to serve Him is by sharing the love of the gospel of Jesus Christ with children.
Jesus said, “All authority in Heaven and on earth has been given to me, therefore as you are going, make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all I have commanded and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:18-20
I am currently and graciously walking this out in St. Louis, Missouri with my devoted husband Chip, our 3 fearfully and wonderfully made biological children, and dozens of spiritual children. I rejoice as God mends my brokenness and allows me to share this journey with Crossroads Kids Club – where we connect children and their families with Jesus Christ – the author and perfecter of our faith.
With a passion for reaching children for Christ and serving my church community, I started volunteering as a Team Captain for Crossroads in 2021 outside of Houston, Texas. I am a mom of three girls under the age of three and my husband and I love helping at our family ranch raising cattle.
In 2023, I joined the team as a Regional Coordinator to help expand and support the ministry in Houston and throughout Texas. My prayer is that God will use me through Crossroads to mobilize the local church to reach children for the gospel of Jesus.
Children are so important to the heart of God! I firmly believe it’s up to us to partner with God to fill their hearts and minds with Kingdom principles that will guide them in shaping the future with their choices and lifestyles. I will do whatever I can to support Crossroads, as they have committed to bringing children into the fullness of Jesus Christ through creative kingdom discipleship.
I am originally from Aurora, IL, but moved to Orlando, Florida to attend Nations College in the fall of 2023 for ministry. I am married to my wonderful husband Brandon, and we are patiently waiting for the Lord to bless us with our own children. I enjoy reading, journaling, hanging out with good friends, and spending time quality time with my Savior Jesus. I am so excited to see what unfolds for the Central Orlando region, and I am overall so honored to be a part of bringing children (and their families) into relationship with Jesus through Crossroads!
“Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God…” Mark 10:14
The Lord has planted in me a desire to see children as integral members of the body of Christ. When Jesus returns, there will be children on the earth, and the Lord’s desire, and mine, is that they would be ready to welcome him! My hope and prayer is that as children come to know Jesus as he truly is, their hearts would be captured by him, and he would become their greatest joy.
I joined the Crossroads staff team in March of 2020 before graduating a few months later with a bachelor’s degree in Christian formation and ministry from Wheaton College. I’m originally from Woodbury, Minnesota, but I have made Illinois my home to serve on the Crossroads team. I enjoy discipling the youth and kids at my church, connecting with my local community and meeting new people.
When I was in middle school, I went through a rough season of life. School was a place I felt isolated and hurt. But one day, I was invited to a club that took place once a week after school. I walked in the doors of the Crossroads club at my school, and I felt welcomed and cared for. I made friends, grew in my relationship with the Lord and enjoyed every minute of being a part of that club.
Later, God led me into ministry to help kids come to know him. I worked in youth ministry in Houston for almost eight years and then God led me back to Crossroads to help others pour into the lives of kids in public schools.
While in Houston, I met my husband, Alex, and we are expecting our first child in February. I graduated from North Park University with a bachelor’s degree in youth ministry. I love spending time at the dinner table with my family, cuddling my dog, listening to country music and helping caring and consistent adults reach kids with the gospel of Jesus.
I am a Wheaton College graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in computer science, and I am considering continuing my education with a focus on teaching. I consider myself a “global citizen,” as I have lived in Laos, the Philippines, Ethiopia, Thailand, and most recently, Vietnam. Because of this, I especially have a heart for international ministry and outreach. I love making art, crafting, reading science fiction and learning new things from people around the world.
Through my experiences in IT, God has inspired me to see technology as a powerful communication tool for his kingdom. I am excited to see how technology can impact the mission of Crossroads and what God will do through our website and mobile application development.
Since high school, I have had a desire to serve vulnerable kids. It breaks my heart to see kids who are abused, neglected, lonely, in poverty or otherwise hurting. I long for them to experience the love of God through a personal relationship with Jesus. I’m passionate about Crossroads because I have seen the gospel bring hope to so many children, and I believe that we can transform our world if we can reach our kids.
I am married to the love of my life, Adriana, and we have two amazing daughters and a godly son-in-law. I hold bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Wheaton College and Wheaton Graduate School along with a professional certificate in nonprofit and philanthropy from Northwestern University. I enjoy running, gardening, walking the dog and investing time to encourage the next generation of Christian leaders over a good cup of coffee.
I came to know Jesus as my savior at age 21. Growing up without a relationship with Christ was often painful and frustrating. I can only imagine what my life would be like if I knew Jesus at a young age. Don’t get me wrong, the Lord has redeemed my life and has turned a painful story into a most joyous one. What I love about Crossroads Kids Club is that it brings the hope of Jesus to children at a young age so they can start their lives off on a joyous journey and hopefully side-step some of the pain that I had to experience.
I’m married to my beautiful wife Cheryl who has such a love for children that it’s contagious. I have two boys, one who is a school counselor in a rural high school in western MI and my youngest is a college student studying to be a secondary English teacher. I enjoy filmmaking, photography, gardening, traveling, hiking and kayaking. Adventure could very easily be my middle name!
You can send a check by mail, payable to Crossroads Kids Club, to:
Crossroads Kids Club
PO Box 699
Streamwood, IL 60107-0699
Giving a gift of stock is easy. To complete an electronic transfer of stocks, bonds, exchange-traded funds (ETF’s) or mutual funds from your account directly to Crossroads Kids Club, simply provide the following to your broker:
Delivery to: Fidelity Investments
DTC Number: 0226
Account Name: Crossroads Kids Club
Account Number: 614231983
Comments: Crossroads Kids Club, (Your Name)
Please contact Matt Armstrong at [email protected] to notify of your gift or for additional information.
To give other non-cash assets such as real estate or business ownership interests, you can contact CEO Matt Armstrong at:
[email protected] or 630-526-1500
When I was first invited to a Crossroads club I couldn’t go for months until I found a way to get out early from work for one day. And then I told my boss I had to go back. I started to serve in children’s ministry in my mid-teens and have enjoyed getting to know and understand their life circumstances in order to teach better. I graduated from Moody Bible Institute with a degree in Communications and Bible and later from their seminary with a degree in Biblical and Theological studies – so it is a dream come true to teach unchurched kids about God and the Bible and to be part of a ministry that does that.
I was born in the Dominican Republic, lived in Massachusetts & Illinois and I currently live in Florida, defrosting, with my family where God has started a church plant, and we get to be a part of it. I look forward to hearing about you.
My early years growing up in the Englewood Community were filled with fun, friends, family and a bright future. Being educated in the Chicago Public School system sure had its difficulties, but with passionate educators our community thrived and was inspired. Soon after graduating from Simeon Career Academy, I enlisted in the United States Army Reserve. I served for eight years including three years of active duty during Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
Some of my proudest accomplishments are being married to my wife, Cheryl, for nearly 30 years and raising our (now) young-adult children, David and Melody. Besides working with Crossroads, I pastor a passionate church serving the south side of Chicago where I grew up. Rhema Revealed Worship Center International is a church in the community and for the community. I’m excited that our church is partnered with Crossroads, and I am thrilled to work with Crossroads to reach even more children in our nation’s cities.
My passion for reaching children comes from my personal experience. When I was a young, I was steeped in fear, loneliness and despair, but God brought a pastor into my life who had a calling to disciple children. Through this mentoring relationship and studying God’s Word, my life began to change as I came to know Jesus as my Savior. I understood that the purpose of my life was to bring praise and glory to the heart of God in everything I did.
I entered Bible college at the age of 15, knowing that I had received a call from God to reach children with the gospel and to disciple them. I received a bachelor’s degree in ministry, and later I earn another bachelor’s degree in law and a master’s degree in theology. I have been a pastor for 33 years. I grew up in Guatemala, but 25 years ago my wife and I were sent to be missionaries in Mexico. Although she is Mexican and I am Guatemalan, we both see Mexico with eyes of mercy. We are the parents of a son, daughter-in-law and two daughters. I am passionate about the vision and mission of Crossroads, and it is my joy to share it with leaders in Latin America.