Changing Destinies, One Life at a Time.
WHO WE ARE
Todd Ponstein
Founder & President
Founder & President
Todd was born and raised in West Michigan and is a Child of the King. Todd's greatest hope is that others will find their lives in Jesus Christ, and come to know who they are in Him. He has been married to his amazing bride Kris for 34 years and has been blessed by the Lord with 3 adult sons, 4 foster kids, daughters-in-law, and now 5 precious grandchildren.
Serving as a lay pastor of True Life Bible Church in Wyoming, Michigan, Todd has a powerful gift for teaching and making God’s Word come alive and active (Hebrews 4:12). Todd and Kris lead by example and instill in their church community a heart to serve and love others, specifically widows and orphans. Todd is also blessed to operate a real estate development company.
Whether it be golf, pickleball, or coaching football at Unity Christian High School, Todd enjoys some good competition! His ultimate passion is discipling and leading others to find True Life in Christ with a deep desire for students to come to know Jesus.
Jim Harrison
Vice President
Jim was born and raised in West Michigan and has been serving Jesus for years as a gifted teacher, pastor, and missionary. Jim, and his amazing wife Beth, have been married for more than 37 years. Jim has served as pastor in Hopkins MI and as RCA Global Missionaries for 22 years; both in Estonia (Soviet Union) and in Bahrain (Middle East). Jim and Beth are blessed with 7 adult children: 3 sons and 4 daughters, with 2 wonderful daughters-in-law and 8 precious grandchildren.
Jim blesses the MentorMe ministry in multiple roles as a gifted Trainer, a Teacher, Mentor and Guide. Jim loves teaching God’s Word and is passionate for followers of Jesus to rediscover the Biblical worldview in all its fullness and make Jesus our model of ministry in everything we do. Since Jesus alone is “The Way, The Truth and the Life” (John 14:6), Jim greatly desires to see young men and women encounter Him as their personal Lord and Savior, and feed on the truths of God’s Word, discovering who they are in their relationship with Jesus and being empowered by the Holy Spirit to become champions for Jesus and the advance of God’s Kingdom!
Jim thoroughly enjoys his family, traveling and learning about other cultures, studying world history and watching sports events, especially baseball. He also serves half time as Pastor of Prayer & Discipleship at Hopkins Community Church (ARC) and is leading in mobilizing prayer for an emerging Rural Church Network within the Alliance (ARC).
We are deeply grateful for Jim’s commitment and love to share God’s Word with Students, Mentors and Guides.
Joshua Holtrop
Director of Marketing
Josh was born in Romania and adopted by his parents when he was one year old.
He grew up and lived in Grand Rapids with his family all his life.
A believer for most of His life, Josh’s relationship with Jesus has grown deeplyand much more intimately the past few years.
He is a graduate of Davenport University with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration and a focus on Marketing. Josh will be sharing and promoting the vision and mission of MentorMe to the West Michigan Community.
Josh is married to his bride Maci and celebrated the arrival of their first son Judah, born in early 2024. They are currently living in Dallas, Texas where Josh is attending Christ for the Nations Bible College studying Practical Ministry & Worship.
He believes every Student has the possibility of being a success story as committed Mentors walk alongside them.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19
Judi Jongekrijg
Ministry Administrator
Judi is a living testimony of God bringing beauty from ashes. Her desire is for every Student to come to know the endless love of Jesus; no matter the depth of pain we’ve been through—Jesus meets us there.
She has been blessed with four wonderful, adult daughters, including a foster daughter. In addition, she has three great son-in-law’s and four grandchildren. Judi enjoys spending time in the great outdoors and adventures with her Soul Sisters—the sweetest of friendships and daily celebrations of healing.
Judi’s gifts of administration range from corporate to higher education to non-profit over the years. She has also spent years of mentoring and fostering youth. Judi prays for eyes to be opened; so many are spiritually blind and yet say they see. [John 9:41]
She believes through the commitment of Mentors coming alongside their Students, and the work of the Holy Spirit and faithful prayer, many lives will be changed for eternity!
Palmer Ponstein
Treasurer
A native of West Michigan, Palmer, and his bride Becky have lived in downtown Grand Rapids for the past six years. They love being a family of 3 with their sweet son Valor...soon to be expecting a second child in the spring.
Palmer spends his days working as a finance and insurance agent serving the West Michigan community. His hobbies include football and baseball as well as games that make him think and strategize; the benefits of a finance mind.
Palmer’s desire is for each individual to know they are created in the Image of God. Rejoicing in the Lord always, again I say Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. [Philippians 4:4-5)
Tim Sliedrecht
Ministry Team Member
Tim has joined the MentorMe Ministry board all the way from Uganda, East Africa. Tim was born and raised in Ontario Canada by Dutch Immigrants. The Sliedrecht Family has been transitioning back to West Michigan after serving in missions for the past 21 years in Uganda, Netherlands, Nigeria, and Ukraine.
Tim leads his busy family, along with his wonderful wife Angie, and their 8 children.
Tim is passionate about seeing others, particularly young people, come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Tim’s greatest desire is for students to embrace and grow in knowing their God-given identity, which provides freedom in Christ. This allows us to live an abundant life for Christ to impact the world around us with the fruits of the Spirit. "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10.
Tim is gifted in leadership and teaching, mercy, vision, encouragement and apostleship. He loves spending time in God’s great outdoors exploring, hiking, biking, and kayaking with his wife and kids. We are blessed by Tim’s impact in helping students come to know Jesus.
Jim Tuuk
Advisory Board Member
Jim is a Grand Rapids native and married to his wonderful wife Val of 28 years. They have three adult children and five grandchildren keeping them busy. Jim is self-employed with his own painting company and pizza shop, and also enjoys being involved in various real estate ventures.
God has blessed Jim with the gift of encouragement and service and truly enjoys spending time with others and hearing their stories. He has mentored many individuals, through Big Brother Ministry or people he meets along the path of life. It brings Jim great joy in seeing others find freedom in Christ from the brokenness of their lives.
Jim’s heart to love and serve is a call to action. Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food, if one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. [James 2:15-17]
