Meet The Ridge Kids Staff

Kara Backes, Director of Family Ministry, The Ridge    

I am married to BJ and have two daughters, Ellie (14) and Libbie (11)

Together we love being with friends, boating, hanging out, ice cream and good food!

Some of us love art, school, show choir, photography, decorating, shopping and cars.

We all love Jesus and are each discovering our own unique relationship with Him.

We have been at The Ridge for 15 years, 6 of which I have been a director in Children and Family Ministry – before that I was a stay at home mom. 

I have a huge passion for children and families – deepening their relationship with Christ, discovering they can hear God speak, discovering they matter, they have a purpose, that God loves them more than they could ever know, that discovering the bible on their own is amazing and so much more! 

I have learned rest is essential in my life, in the quiet and stillness I hear God speak

I believe deep friendships are a gift from God and will change your life forever

I love the color orange for many reasons

I believe that kids need parents who are growing closer to Christ – not perfect parents, not those that have read all the right books but those who are reaching for Christ

I believe Jesus might lay down right next to your child in bed at night and you better not sit on him J

I believe that God is in control and I am not but I trust Him and want to answer yes when He calls

I believe in being Jesus to our community

I believe that when the church and the family collide – we really can make a huge impact on our future generation together!

I can’t wait to join with you as we follow God’s lead to impact our children and families!

Sarah Van Rees, Elementary Area Coordinator, The Ridge

I’ve been married 19 years to my husband, Mike.  He makes me laugh a lot!

We have three kids; Caleb – 16, Olivia – 14, Lilly – 11…and we like themJ

Back when I was “young” I was an elementary teacherJ… then a stay at home mom.

In our house, the Introverts are the majority—although somehow…they’re still loud?!?! 

My favorite quote comes from the book The Jesus I Never Knew by Philip Yancey—“Often a work of God comes with great joy and great pain.”  I’ve have come to embrace both…have you?

The fun, energy, and enthusiasm coming from the Square on a Sunday morning is AWESOME!

Favorite Bible Verse…It changes each year. This year Psalm 27:14 resonates with me:  “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord”

God is God, and I am not!!

I enjoy time spent in my kitchen.

Deep, real, life-giving relationships take time and intentionality…but it’s worth it!!!

I know, I know…I use too many exclamation points when I write…I can’t help it!?!?!

I’ve found that when you follow God with your whole heart and soul and mind, you begin an amazing ADVENTURE!!!! 

Seeing the Bible come alive for our RidgeKids and watching them grow in a relationship with Jesus is powerful!  He LOVES the littles, too!!! 

Jill Hugen, Administrative Coordinator for Elementary Ministry, The Ridge  

I am married to Matt and we have three children, Alissa – 12, Rebecca – 9, Tim – 6.

We have been at The Ridge for 13 years. I spent at least 9 of those years volunteering with Children's Ministries, and the last few in my current position as Administrative Coordinator.

I am passionate about using technology to create a meaningful worship experience for our Ridge kids; which is one of the reasons this job is such a good fit for me!

I recognize that everyone has different God-given gifts and that we all need to work together toward the goal of leading children to a closer relationship with Him.

I love working behind the scenes to support our various ministry volunteers.

I can’t wait to join with you as we follow God’s lead to impact our children and families!

Sue Green, Midweek and Summer Family Ministry Coordinator, The Ridge

Robert and I just celebrated our 29th anniversary.  I used to think people married that long were REALLY old.  Not anymore.

We have three awesome kids:  Alex - 26,  Madison - 24,  Mackenzie - 22

I always knew I’d love being a mom; I didn’t know how much I’d love it!  I truly believe I’m the luckiest mom in the world.

I grew up in West Des Moines, but teaching took me to Wyoming where I met Robert, whose parents grew up in Grimes!  Small world.

We have lived in Ankeny since 1990 and have attended Prairie Ridge Church for 6 years.

I was lucky enough to stay at home and work from home while the kids were home.  I was a director with The Pampered Chef for 14 years.  Now I sub in the schools.

We also have two furry friends in the house:  Gatsby is a Miniature Schnauzer - he is the second schnauzer we have adopted from the ARL.   Puma is the black cat we rescued from under our deck.  Love them, too.

Every single day I am amazed at how amazing God is.  And then I am amazed that I am amazed, because I KNOW how amazing God is!!  (Amazing, right?!)

I grew up going to church, attending Sunday School and youth group and going on mission trips.  Oh, and we had to sing in choir.  I didn’t love choir, but I still smile at our choir director’s name:  Joy Lord.  Isn’t that a perfect name for a choir director?!

I love Romans 12:6 that tells us “we all have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.”  My passion is encouraging and supporting others as we discover our own gifts, and partnering with parents as we watch our kids’ discover their gifts.

Never forget that Jesus said, “Love your neighbor AS YOURSELF.”   Take care of yourself better and you’ll take care of others better.

We are our children’s teachers…..and they are ours.

I love to bake and make crafts and I really love sitting around a good campfire.  Friends and family make all of the above even better.

It is NEVER too early for Christmas music. 

Jeanne Hirsch, Director of Early Childhood Ministry, The Ridge
I am married to Michael and have two daughters, Meghan (19) and Katherine (17).
As a family we enjoy bike riding, playing board and card games and hanging out at home.  I love shopping and you would think with two girls we would do a lot of that, but Michael is glad that the girls don’t like to shop!
In my days before children I was a music teacher for nine years in three different Iowa school districts.
After children I was a stay at home mom until Katherine went to first grade.  I then started teaching in the preschool area and have loved this age ever since! 
We have been at Prairie Ridge since the beginning.  Katherine was born 3 months before our first public worship service.  I never have trouble remembering how old the church is!
I have been on staff for five years and have been a volunteer in children’s ministry since the beginning of the church as well.
My passion for the youngest of our congregation is to show them God’s love and the hope that is in Him.  I love to minister to this age as they are so eager to learn and they indeed have a childlike faith.  I want to nurture this faith by planting many seeds that will continue to mature as they go through life here at church, in their schools, in their families and in their life.
I have a passion to come along side you as parents to help bring up the children of our church. 
My prayer is that God uses me, the church, and you as parents to carry out Mark 10:14.  “Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”
I look forward to working with you and your little ones to begin their life long journey to learn about, love, and follow our Maker!