Introducing the Team
We are excited to introduce you to the Messy Church USA Prayer and Encouragement Team. We met for the first time in January 2021 and began to pray for each other and for all of our Messy Church USA churches. This team provides the foundation of prayer and encouragement for uplifting local Messy Churches and Messy Church leaders. In addition to regularly praying for the Messy Church family, this team will serve as a resource for local Messy Churches and leaders who need encouragement in the form of support or coaching. This may include things like reaching out to new Messy Churches to encourage them or provide coaching for Messy Churches going through times of transition or struggle. In addition, this team will welcome churches that register with the MC USA network to let them know how they can provide prayer and encouragement at the start of their MC journey.
Team Members
Ronda Bower, Northfield Community Church (UCC) IL
I am the Pastoral Associate of Family and Educational Ministries at Northfield Community Church in Northfield, IL, a northern suburb of Chicago. We have had a Messy Church for six years, and through Covid-19 continued Messy Church on Zoom. I understand firsthand how important the encouragement of friends, family, and congregation in ministry is, and I have been blessed by a circle of friends who pray for each other in good times and bad. Sharing God’s love is not always an easy journey, and the Messy Church Prayer and Encouragement Team is here, holding up you, your Messy Church team, and your congregation.
Ronda’s Email: [email protected]
Maureen Carey, St David’s Episcopal, VA
I’m the Lay Pastoral Assistant and Director of Christian Education at St. David’s Episcopal Church and School. I also am part of the USA Messy Church Board. Prayer is powerful, simple and just talking with God. I love how the Holy Spirit invites us into those thin places where heaven touches earth for a moment joining the spirit where ever we are on our spiritual journey. Partnering in prayer is that beautiful reminder of “when two or more are gathered I will be in the midst of them”. It is both a blessing and honor to join you in prayer.
Maureen’s Email: [email protected]
Marty Drake, Community United Methodist, CA
I’m from Huntington Beach, CA. I help lead a Messy Church at our church and serve on the Messy Church USA board. Leading a Messy Church can be a source of celebration, excitement and exhaustion. I know because I have experienced all of them over the years. I believe in the power of prayer and words of encouragement and know that everyone involved in Messy Church can use them both from time to time. I have found the Encouragement and Prayer a perfect fit for me.
Marty’s Email: [email protected]
Julie Hintz, NY
I am originally from the US, but first met and fell in love with Messy Church in 2010 while living in New Zealand. I was a Messy Church Regional Coordinator there; helping to support, resource and inspire Messy Churches around the country. I currently live in New York, and am passionate about getting alongside Messy teams and leaders, praying for them and their congregations, and encouraging them in any way I can.
Julie’s Email: [email protected]
Jenna Reinke, TX
Howdy from Texas! My name is Jenna Reinke and I am from Fort Worth, Texas! I love the concept of Messy Church and have seen the fruits of Messy Church in action. I am happy to be a part of the prayer and encouragement team because I am not currently involved in leading a Messy Church and I remember that there are times in the midst of leading when I could have used encouragement to keep going! I hope to provide that to Messy churches in order to help us all remember why Messy Church matters! Please reach out to any of our team if you need prayers of encouragement, we are here for you!
Jenna’s Email: [email protected]
Prayer Requests
If you have a specific prayer request for your Messy Church, please contact one of the team members at their email address.
Gold Team at Messy Church UK
The prayer team at Messy Church UK/ BRF is the Gold Team. You can learn more about their team here.
