MOPS
Hi! My name is Melissa Shripka and I am excited to be the coordinator for this years Steering Team. My husband, Andy, and I moved to the Kalamazoo area 2 years ago from downtown Chicago. I stay at home with our 2 children: Drew(3.5) and Lily(2). This will be my fourth year in the MOPS program and I am so thankful for what this ministry has provided for me and am so looking forward to giving back this year. I am excited to see how God works through MOPS this year to strengthen me and help me grow as a mother and as a person; as well as to see how He works in all of you and our ministry!
My name is Laura Frein and I am serving this year as Hospitality co-chairperson. My husband Jeff and I moved to the Portage in 2009 for his job. We have been blessed with a beautiful daughter, Madeline (2) and our son Wyatt who just arrived this October. As a stay at home mom, one of the first items on my to-do list after moving was to seek out a place where I could meet and connect with other mothers. God found a way to lead me to Southridge MOPS, where during the last two years I have formed friendships and been given tools to grow as a mom, all while deepening my relationship with Christ. My prayer is that your experience with MOPS will also be filled with support, encouragement and friendships we thrive to find as new mothers.
Hello! My name is Bobbi Jo Bloomquist and I am serving as Discussion Group Leader. I was a small group leader for 2 years and the Event and Outreach coordinator for 1 year. I am excited to serve on the steering team again this year! I have 3 children; Laila(5), Nolan(3) and Hadley(9 mo.). For the past 4 years I have been involved with MOPS and absolutely love what MOPS has done for me spiritually! The more you give, the more you get! I look forward to seeing returning MOPS moms and getting to know the new that I’ve made through MOPS. This ministry truly does help to support women as moms, wives, and friends and I’m thrilled to be a part of it.
Hi! My name is Betsy Loebig and I have been part of the 
MOPS program since 2004. I have been a small group leader, a team leader, coordinator and this year I am excited to serve in Publicity. My husband, Todd, and I have 4 children; Josh(14), Jake(11), TJ(7) and Lauren(5) and we have all felt the blessings of being a part of MOPS. MOPS moms were and still are so warm and welcoming. I knew it was the place for me. I have built some of my most cherished friendships from the women I have met at MOPS. I hope you join us for encouragement, support and inspiration as we grow as moms and women together.
Hi! My name is Anne Buttery and I will be serving the MOPS ministry as the Prayer and Care Team leader. I have been a part of Southridge MOPS for 4 years now and know what a wonderful impact it can have on your life! I am a mother of two wonderful and crazy little boys ages 4.5 and 18 months, a wife to Jeff and a full time registered nurse working in Adult Critical Care. I am looking forward to serving you this year as we have so many exciting things planned! Please join us this year as we journey and grow together as moms, friends and women!
My name is Melissa Powell. This is my third year with MOPS and I’m so excited to be doing Creative Activities! My husband, Scott, and I have been married for 7 years an have 2 children that we adore; Zoe(3) and Zachary(1). I am so proud to be a part of Southridge MOPS again. It has provided me with support in all areas of my life and has lead me to great friends. I can’t wait for the new year to begin! I look forward to seeing returning MOPS moms, and getting to know the new moms joining this year.
Hello, my name is Brooke Roller. I live in Portage with my husband, Troy, and our 2 children; Madelyn and Cohen. I joined MOPS last year looking for other like-minded mothers and have enjoyed every minute since. I am very excited to serve this year and cannot wait to see what God has in store for us.
Hello, my name is Corey Downey and I will be serving on the steering team for the first time this year in the area of Hospitality. My husband, Adam, and I moved to the Portage area three years ago when he joined Stryker Medical. I stay at home with our three kids; Haley(5), Nicholas(3) and Tyler(10 mo.). I have been a member of Southridge MOPS for two years and served as a small group leader last year. I am excited to serve in a greater capacity this year and hope to create a warm, welcoming environment for all of our returning moms as well as some new ones! MOPS is a wonderful ministry that brings together moms with many different experiences and I am looking forward to a wonderful year of learning, sharing and creating new friendships.
Hi, my name is Danielle Noe and I have been married to my husband Kevin for 4 years. We have an almost two year old boy, Camden, who is full of life! I have also just been blessed with our baby girl, Taelyn, this October! This will be my second year involved with MOPS. I joined MOPS after moving back from Austin, TX. It has been a great way to meet new moms in the area! I grew up going to Southridge Reformed Church and am happy to be back and involved with the church again. I look forward to spending time with all the little ones involved with MOPPETS!
My name is Nikki Meisling, my husband, J.D. and I have been married for 8 years and have two lovely girls, Lily (5) and Sydney (2 ½). We have lived in the Kalamazoo/Portage area our whole lives and love it here! This is my second year with MOPS and I am eager to be involved with the MOPPETS! The MOPS ministry is an amazing way to connect with other moms and support each other! I look forward to another wonderful year!
Hi! My name is Barb Welke and I am very excited to be a discussion group leader this year. I am married to Ben and God has blessed us with three beautiful children, Braden (5), Brice (3) and Brinley (9 months). Last year was my first year in MOPS and I have made some wonderful friendships through this amazing group of women. Everyone was very welcoming in the MOPS ministry and I felt that the meetings brought me closer to God. I am looking forward returning to MOPS this year and hope you join this great ministry!
Hi! I am Holly Sybesma and I will be one of the discussion group
leaders. I am a wife to Justin and a stay at home mom to our three little ones, Trinity(4), Caleb(2), and Noah (7 months). This is my second year involved in MOPS and what a blessing it is! Whether you’re a new mom or a mom of many, MOPS will truly be a wonderful and rewarding experience. I cannot wait to meet new moms and make everyone feel welcomed into our MOPS family.
Hi my name is Jayme Isham and I am a discussion group leader. This is my second year at MOPS and I am excited to share and help other moms. My husband, Steve and our 3 children, Charley (7), Joey (5) and Abby (3) moved to the Mattawan area in 2009. Amongst our busy schedules and running a photography studio, it has been hard to connect with moms and MOPS has been an awesome resource to do just that. I wished I would have joined earlier! I love the support and encouragement that I have receive from this group as a mom, wife, and woman.
Hi! My name is Teresa Vollmar. This will be my second year involved with MOPS! My husband Matt and I live in Oshtemo with our 3 wonderful (and sometimes make me want to scream) kids: Sofia is 5 and starting kindergarten in Mattawan this fall, Elijah is 3 and dresses like a superhero daily, Mercedes is 1 and loves to copy whatever her siblings are saying or doing. I love the value MOPS places on becoming the best mom YOU can be for your kids. I’m excited to be leading a discussion group this year and look forward to making new mom friends.