2025 Vestry Candidates
Susan (Su) Hecht
My parents met and married in Germany, where both my sisters and I were born. Mom was from a small town in Pennsylvania and working overseas for the US government. Dad originally was from Germany, immigrated to the US, was drafted into the US military, and was stationed in Germany. We were a military family until my father retired during my freshman year of college. All that to say, by the time I was 19, there were 12 residences in 3 countries that I had called “home.”
Our family did not attend church or observe any religious tradition, but when I was 16 I placed my faith in Christ. The youth leader at the church I started attending with friends encouraged us to seek a Christian group on campus as we headed off to college. After being involved with Campus Crusade for Christ/Cru for four years, I went on a missions trip the summer after I graduated and discerned a call to full-time ministry.
I served in campus ministry with Campus Crusade for Christ/Cru for twenty years. Eventually I held leadership positions on local campuses as well as on regional teams that were responsible for the development of staff on campuses in several states. My experiences in ministry included personal evangelism and discipleship, leadership development of staff and students, and Human Resources roles that involved coaching and personal development of staff. I also served as a teacher and trainer on a team that equipped staff and lay people in small and large group communication skills.
While on staff with Cru I earned an MA in Biblical Studies/NT at Denver Seminary. I left staff when I entered a PhD program in NT at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. I have taught classes in NT and Greek at Denver Seminary, and online classes in hermeneutics for Simpson University. For several years I co-taught courses in hermeneutics and homiletics for Cru staff.
I moved to Grand Rapids seven years ago and work at Baker Book House. CCA has been my church home since 2021. I have a heart for ministry, a passion for God’s Word, and a deep desire to see the clergy, staff, and members of CCA flourish in their walks with God. I look forward to serving on vestry as we continue to seek God’s leading for us as a family and as stewards of all that has been entrusted to us.
Joel Lawrence
Joel was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He studied History/Political Science and International Studies at Cedarville University, during which he spent a semester abroad at Jerusalem University College (JUC) in Israel. His time spent at JUC developed a deep love of the people, history, and the land, as well as sowing seeds in his journey to Anglicanism. Frequent visits to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and other holy sites opened up a new world of tradition, liturgy, iconography, culture, and so much more. And it was also in Jerusalem that he attended his first Anglican service on Easter morning in 2008 at Christ Church in Jerusalem.
Following undergrad studies, he enrolled in the MDiv program at GRTS while working at Baker Book House, which is where he met the love of his life, Amanda. Joel currently works at Zondervan as the senior marketing manager.
His church background is a varied and winding road from Baptist, to Reformed, to Anglican (he would love to tell you more about it!) and he has called Christ Church Anglican his church home since 2023.
He and Amanda have three children: James (9), Sophie (5), and Samuel (2). In his free time Joel loves golf, smoking meats, gardening, the insufferable Lions, and woodworking. He looks forward to joining Vestry and is honored to serve in this season of the life of our parish.
Christy Jesse
I am married to Daniel Jesse, and we have been attending Christ Church for over 4 years now. I was born and raised in Mt. Morris, Michigan, which is just north of Flint. Growing up as the middle child between a younger and an older sister, I cherished the special bond I shared with my siblings.
I was raised attending a Nazarene church, which played an influential role in shaping my early faith and values.
For my undergraduate studies, I attended Olivet Nazarene University. I later pursued my passion for theological learning by earning my Master’s degree from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. I also gained practical ministry experience through an internship at a local church, where I worked with the youth ministry and helped develop a family ministry plan. I further developed my skills by leading youth small groups and undertaking an additional internship focused on children’s ministry.
Before joining Christ Church, Daniel and I were involved in another church community. There, we were invited to help lead a college and career group, which we co-taught alongside the Bennetts. The Bennetts later shared with Daniel and I about their plans to attend an Anglican church, where the priest, Fr. Kris, was a former student of Byard’s.
During the Covid pandemic, Daniel and I decided to explore this Anglican church through its livestream services. After watching online for several weeks, we began attending in person. I was deeply moved by the church’s sense of community and the authenticity expressed during services, which inspired my continued involvement.
At Christ Church, I have volunteered in the children’s ministry and have helped with youth events. Together Daniel and I are currently co-teaching a class on disability theology, helping the congregation engage with important topics and fostering a spirit of inclusion.
My journey of spiritual formation has been enriched through my participation in the Soul Care Institute and mentorship from a spiritual director. These experiences have provided me with valuable insights into the beauty of diverse approaches to worship. I am eager to bring these learnings to Christ Church by exploring creative, multisensory ways of engaging in worship and by amplifying the voices within the congregation. I hope to foster a community where all members can experience the richness of spiritual life together.