Chaplain Hall is on staff at GLAA where he served as Head Boy's Dean 2000-2005 then in the fall of 2005 he accepted a call to be campus chaplain at GLAA. Chaplain Hall is a Limited License Psychologist and provides therapeutic services to students in need. Chaplain Hall says, "My main goal at GLAA is to show our young people how important and powerful a personal relationship with Jesus is. Sometimes we equate spirituality only with the end goal, heaven. I want to show them that a day to day walk with Christ is something incredible and rewarding right now! It's obvious to see we are in earth's closing chapter. I am encouraging our young people to get active, spiritually charged, and finish the work!" In his free time, he loves to spend time with his wife, Donna and daughters Olivia, Sofia, and Maia.
Pastor Gray is the Youth Director of the Southwest Region Conference in Dallas TX. Pastor Gray travels the country sharing Spirit filled messages with young people and leading them to a deeper commitment with Jesus Christ. He is a widely sought out speaker for youth weeks of prayer and youth convocations. He is married to Molly and they have a beautiful daughter Carissa.
Chad Bernard believes in empowering young people for eternity. Chad attended Adventist schools from first grade all the way through his Master’s program. His experience was shaped by Godly teachers; he never forgot their instruction. Now, as principal of Greater Lansing Adventist School, he has made it his mission and passion to bring kids to Jesus
Pastor James Black began his ministry in the Southwest Region Conference where he served as youth pastor and senior pastor. He served as conference youth director from 1991-2000. His responsibilities included youth, young adults, pathfinders, adventurers, singles, NSO and camp ministries. During this same period he served as a member of the NAD Youth Committee and Secretary for the NAD Pathfinder Committee. He also served 4 years as president of the Black Adventist Youth Directors Association. This group is responsible for planning the United Youth Congresses that historically draws over 30,000 youth.

Currently he is serving his second term as the Director of Youth Ministries for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America. Many youth initiatives and been launched and training resources developed under his leadership. He organizes one of the largest bi-annual leadership training conventions in the world church with over 3000 leaders attending from around North America and the world. However, God has given him a vision to go deeper with today’s youth. In March 2007, the 1st NAD World Youth Prayer Conference convened in Dallas, TX. More than 50,000 young people worshipped through prayer and mission service under the theme “Just Claim It.” He is convicted that it is time for Adventist Youth to claim their entire cities for Christ.
Pastor William Lee is a graduate of Oakwood College where he earned his B.A. degree in Religion and Andrews University Theological Seminary earning a Master's of Divinity Degree. He is a energetic,Holy Spirit filled, and gifted young man with great vision. His down-to-earth approach to living the Christian life stems from his own experiences and knowledge of scripture. He has an unusual ability to communicate not only to church oriented people, but also to those who are seeking a greater knowledge about God.
Pastor Willie and Jodi Iwankiw are currently serving as a pastoral couple in a two church district; Ithaca and St. Johns. They both graduated from Andrews University. They most recently served in Grand Rapids at Central SDA Church. Willie and Jodi have a genuine love for Jesus and try to show Him to everyone they meet. Their sweet compassion for people is a drawing force to the feet of Jesus. Willie and Jodi are expecting their first child in early 2009.


Define Normal was the theme for the 2009 West Michigan Youth Rally. Chad Bernard began the event on Friday evening by challenging us with what is normal. The Rally continued with music provided by music groups from GRAA and GLAA.  On Saturday the weather was not very promising as we began the day. In the  morning powerful messages were presented to over six hundred attendees. It was evident the Lord was with us as over 70 young people came forward and signed commitment cards for either a first time commitment or a recommitment to Christ.

After lunch we began our outreach to serve the community. By God's grace we were able to give away 10,000 lb's of food to families that needed groceries. We also served by giving free health screening, taking blood pressure and glucose tests. Another group of younger students made cards for a local church's shut-ins and for some AFM missionaries. And finally a final group went out door to door with neighborhood surveys and prayed with people door to door. All of this occurred in the pouring rain! We may have gotten wet, but the joy of participating in outreach and serving others was clearly displayed on peoples faces. The door to door group returned with several Bible study interests. One woman opened the door and after the youth prayed with her she promised to bring her own two children to the rally vespers program, the family came and even stayed for gym night.
After the evening music program presented by our very own youth from around the state, Elder Gray presented the closing message and we were all challenged to define normal as Christ would and not by the world's definition. Vespers was followed by a game packed gym night with volleyball, basketball and other fun games and some great time for fellowship with pizza and refreshments.
We are so thankful for the countless blessings God provided during the weekend, from hearts turned towards Christ to the homes we were welcomed into and Bible Study requests and all the families who we were able to bless with food. It really was quite a "Normal" weekend!

Mark you calendar for next year's West Michigan Youth Rally on the weekend of April 23-24, 2010.  We are also planning a one day Back to School conference on September 19, 2009. There will soon be more information regarding the September event posted on our website, Face book and sent out via email.