Our Team
Sandy Mast, First Priority Coordinator
Sandy has been a long-time active youth minister in the tri-cities community and has been involved with First Priority over the years. She holds a degree in early childhood education and worked for Head Start as a teacher and volunteer coordinator for 10 years before being called into High School ministry. She has been on staff at Covenant Life Church in Grand Haven since 1995, with a five-year break from that position to work with Young Life. Sandy continues to work for Covenant Life as their Senior High Youth Director and will continue in that role.
Sandy, and her husband Jeff believe that being involved in ministry has been their biggest calling in life outside of raising their three children. She brings high energy to First Priority and is a take-charge servant for our Lord Jesus Christ. Her love for the Lord and all his children drives her to lead First Priority into the future and bring the Hope of Christ to every student.
Hanna Hemstreet, First Priority Assistant Coordinator
Hanna is a Spring Lake High School graduate and a formed First Priority student as well. She graduated from Western Michigan University with her bachelors in Health Sciences. During her college years she was involved in young life and became a young life leader as well as lead a Bible study in her sorority. She is very passionate about First Priority and all it does for the students and the culture of our local schools.
Tonya Wilson, First Priority Assistant Coordinator
Tonya is a very active member in our community and runs one of the First Priority clubs at Coopersville High School. She is a youth leader at CHURCH and has so much passion for helping our students bring Christ to our campuses.
Board of Directors:
John Koscielniak, President
Bob Hendrick, Director
Kay Bytwerk, Director
Elizabeth Butler, Director
Bob Holt, Director
Marie Kar, Director
First Priority has made me dive into my faith more than just youth group on Sunday’s. I have loved meeting with my group during the week! It has made me more aware of other’s who share my faith, and has made me more open to share my faith with my peers! I never realized how many people in my school shared the same passion for faith as I do!”
“I host First Priority because I want kids to be able to live out their faith in all aspects of their lives, including at school. I also want to create a safe place for kids to ask questions and learn. Many of the students that come are already professing Christians. First Priority gives them a safe place to talk about their faith, grow in their faith, and feel empowered to go tell others about Christ.”
“First Priority has provided an opportunity for me to invest in students in the community beyond our church walls. Each week I get to help & see students who love Christ share their faith with their friends and peers.”