ALUMNI NEWSLETTER – APRIL 16, 2020
Alumni Warriors at Work!
Warrior graduates are working hard and serving our world during the crisis surrounding COVID-19, and we thank our CCS Prayer Warriors for praying for our alumni as they serve in various capacities. Please watch for more news on “Alumni Warriors at Work” via our social media channels.
Randy Deputy (’06) is a corporate counsel for a pharmaceutical research company which is working on 19 different studies for the coronavirus. Randy drafts and negotiates contracts and budgets for the company, and says he is thankful to be a part of the team to help find solutions for this terrible disease. Randy and his wife Madison live in Houston, TX.
Ana Tallackson (’10) is a flight attendant for United Airlines and serves all over the world. She says life has been challengingas an essential first responder in the air. “I am so blessed to still be flying in the skies, and am doing my best to keep our passengers safe. It’s been difficult for sure, as like me, thousands of us are not home with our families right now; we are being diverted, grounded, delayed and being exposed to germs and viruses as we navigate the required public areas and confined spaces in order to bring families together as well as conduct necessary business. I am keeping my faith that God will protect me and keep me in the position that holds so much joy and passion for me, in light of possible furloughs. Your prayers over this situation are greatly appreciated!
Avery Barbisch, RN (’15) says, “Although life is crazy as a nurse during this pandemic, I am thankful to serve in a great hospital.” She appreciates your prayers for her, for Harris Health employees and their families and for the patients and their families. One of the main challenges is that visitors are not allowed at this time and medical professionals are serving in various capacities so prayer for guidance, wisdom, faith and hope for all, as well as prayer as our community and national leaders, is a blessing.
Rev. John C. Medendorp (’06) serves as Pastor—Preaching & Worship at Community Christian Reformed Church in Kitchener, Ontario, where he lives with his wife, Ashley, and son, John Ryan (1 ½ years old). In response to the COVID-19 crisis, John and his colleagues at Community have been preaching online and providing resources for congregants to worship at home. Earlier this year, he accepted a call to serve as Teaching Pastor at Rosewood Christian Reformed Church in Bellflower, California. John says thank you for praying for God’s provision, wisdom and perfect timing for their move which is planned for this summer.
Amber Dingman Kirk (’16) is studying bilingual education, and is a student teacher in Pflugerville this semester before she graduates from the University of Texas at Austin in May. Her husband, Koby, is an Airman First Class in the Air Force, and is also a crime analyst for the Department of Public Safety.
Amber and Koby were married on January 4, 2020, by Jacob Sensenig, Director of the Baylor Worship Lab, a summer worship camp for high school worship leaders where Amber and Koby met in the summer of 2016. They began dating in 2018 and when they got engaged, Koby led Amber on a scavenger hunt and the final destination was the steps of Miller Chapel at Baylor where they first met.
Their director, Jacob, posted the following Facebook message on their wedding day:“Two of my greatest joys in ministry have been getting to mentor young worship leaders through the annual “Worship Lab” event hosted by the Baylor Center for Christian Music Studies and the other has been being asked to officiate weddings. Today these joys collided as Koby Kirk and Amber Dingman tied the knot. My wife and I were grateful to be a small part of their journey together, and I can’t wait to see how God uses their marriage to further the Kingdom!”
Brian Fredrich (’10) is working from home as an HR Business Partner for Dell and wife Rachael Elkins Fredrich (’10) is a Registered Nurse at Ascension Seton Northwest Hospital in Austin, TX. Rachael is currently on maternity leave and enjoying taking care of their son Parker James Fredrich, born on February 3, 2020. They say, “Our hearts are so full. He’s precious!”
Braden Barbisch (’18) is serving the nation during the pandemic at a factory called Printpack that produces food packaging labels and water bottle labels. The company was chosen number #1 in innovation and best in class for service and quality.
Jade Harper Gilbreath (’14) just announced that this summer the Air Force is moving her family – Jackson, Jade, Josiah (3) and Jacie (5 months) – from Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota to Germany. Jade says they are so excited!
If you have news to share, Submit Alumni News or email [email protected].
To read alumni news throughout the month, follow the Cypress Christian School Alumni Facebook page Facebook.com/CypressChristianSchoolAlumni and the CyChristianAlumni Instagram account. To read previous alumni newsletters: CypressChristian.org/Alumni/Alumni-News.
