Meet the Team

Kiya Benckhuysen

Hometown: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Major: Nursing

Kiya serves as a Discipleship Assistant for NVW. In the past, Kiya has served on the Barnabas team in KHvR and served as a Discipleship Assistant for SE. She has also been in gospel choir and enjoys running. When asked what she is looking forward to about being in the DA role for a second time, Kiya shared: “I am really looking forward to being able to meet with each of my Barnabi one on one! This is an amazing way to intentionally get to know other people better while deepening our relationships with Christ.”

Anna Bierma

Hometown: Anchorage, Alaska
Major: Speech Pathology and Audiology
Minor:  Spanish

Anna serves as the Discipleship Assistant for SE. She has been involved with the Calvin community as Barnabas for BB, undergrad student representative with NSSLHA, playing intramural volleyball, working at the speech path clinic, and doing activities with Adventure Club. Anna enjoys being outdoors hiking, kayaking, and camping. She enjoys traveling and spent the spring 2023 semester in Spain and visited ten countries in Europe. Anna shared, “I am looking forward to building and deepening relationships in community on campus as we seek Christ together.”

Jolie Grieser

Hometown:Ida, Michigan
Major:Nursing

Jolie serves as the Discipleship Assistant for KHvR. At Calvin, Jolie has been a tour guide, a Barnabas in KHvR, a DA for BHT, and has gone on a May-term trip to Mexico. She enjoys waterskiing, snowskiing, hiking, and swimming in Lake Michigan. When asked about serving as a DA for a second year, Jolie shared, “I’m looking forward to getting to know more students who are passionate about ministry! I am also excited to mentor students and witness how God will grow them as disciples.”

Jesse McCurdy

Hometown: Anderson, Indiana
Major: Biochemistry, Religion

Jesse serves as a Discipleship Assistant for BV. Two of Jesse’s favorite forms of involvement at Calvin have been serving as a Barnabas and a campus tour guide. Both allowed him to hear and encourage the stories of incredible individuals. He also has participated in the Pre-Health Club, intramurals, and Dance Guild. Jesse enjoys recreational running to explore new areas, especially Grand Rapids over the past three years. He also loves visiting local bookstores whenever he travels. When asked about what he is looking forward to in the DA role, Jesse shared: “Listening is one aspect of discipleship that I deeply value. It allows you to participate in, encourage, and empower the stories of people around you. In’m excited to hear the stories -- past and present -- of Barnabas on Calvin's campus!”

Adelaide Mei

Hometown: Aurora, IL
Major: Chemical Engineering

Adelaide serves as the Discipleship Assistant for KE. In the past, Adelaide has served at Calvin in a variety of roles including: Chimes General Assignment Editor (2022-2023), Barnabas (2021-2022), Professionals Serving Internationally (2023-2024), American Institute of Chemical Engineers (2022-2024), and Organic Chem TA (2023). Adelaide enjoys sewing, running, biking, painting, cooking food, and eating with people. Adelaide shared, “I am excited to connect with students, especially those in KE, and talk about faith through building community with worship, Bible studies, food, and fellowship!”

Annika Peterson

Hometown: Ionia, Michigan
Major: Speech Pathology and Audiology

Annika serves as the Discipleship Assistant for BB and BHT. In the past, Annika has been a Barnabas in KHvR for the 2022-2023 schoolyear and was involved in Ready for Life in the spring of 2023. Annika enjoys laughing with friends, watching good shows and movies, and playing card games. About the DA role, Annika shared, “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to walk alongside the Barnabi and my fellow DA's next schoolyear as we learn and grow together.”

Ben Richards

Hometown: Harrisburg, PA
Major: Urban Planning, Sociology & Entrepreneurship Minor: Recreation Leadership

Ben serves as the Outdoor Rec Ministry Intern. Ben has led wilderness orientation, been on the Outdoor Rec Ministries (ORM) leadership team, managed the Calvin mountain bike program, worked at the climbing wall, is in gospel choir. Ben loves biking and has seven bikes in his rotation that he is fixing to give away, sell, or ride. In the ORM intern role, Ben is looking forward to making friends and community and continuing to build the ORM to be a long-term resource for students.