Changing the current culture by developing disciples of Christ in today’s youth.
In the beginning, God commanded light to penetrate the darkness and throughout history, His light has never gone away. God later sent his only son to earth to show the way and make atonement for all sins. His last words before ascending to heaven were for all believers to “Go and make disciples”. Our vision is to change the culture by making disciples that make disciples.
Empowering teens to see the light in themselves, to be the light wherever they go, and to empower others to see and be the light as well.
We draw students in through a fun and relatable environment where we share the gospel with them.
We help students discover their God-given identity and purpose.
We teach the process of becoming a disciple and making other disciples.
We equip the students with the proper tools to live their entire lives as followers of Jesus.
We encourage students to go out and be the light, wherever they are planted, so others can see their good works and glorify their Father in heaven.
In January of 2022, God put it on Jon and Lori’s heart to move their family from Lansing, MI to the Newberry, MI area in the Upper Peninsula and begin a ministry for the youth. In the Spring of 2022, they were able to purchase a building and by August of 2022 they had made the move and settled in to renovating the building in the heart of downtown Newberry. On June 7, 2023, Illumin8 held its kickoff event and the Lord has been moving in the hearts of teens ever since.
Jon and Lori have pursued continuous growth by being involved in a structured leadership development organization for six years. Jon has owned his own business for 22 years and Lori served in the United States Air Force for six years. They now reside in Gould City, MI, just outside Newberry, with their three children.
My name is Gavyn Plesscher. I was born and raised on my family’s tree farm, and I started working in the family business at a young age. However, around the age of 16, I felt the call to ministry. But when it got real for me was on a trip to go to The Send. I was sleeping in a hotel the night before, and I had a dream where in the dream God said (Gavyn, I gave you everything when I gave you my son, so in return, give me your everything.) So from that moment, I knew God was calling me to ministry. The funny thing is thought he was calling me to Africa or somewhere across the ocean, but he called me to the unreached people in Newberry, Michigan, especially the youth.
Today, I serve at Illumin8 Youth, as the Ministry Director. As the Ministry Director my job is to communicate with people on the front end, the direction, and the mission of Illumin8. My concern is to tend to people’s physical and Spiritual needs in a pastoral way. I guide and support the leaders and student leaders, so that they can walk in their gifting and are equipped for ministry.
Click here to support Gavyn financially in ministry: https://illumin8youth.churchcenter.com/giving/to/gavyn
My name is Victoria Shafer, and I grew up in a Christian home in Dowling, MI. I accepted Christ when I was young, but struggled with really living out my faith. I knew all the right answers and what I was supposed to do, but I didn’t take ownership of my relationship with Jesus. After graduating from high school, I began working as a camp counselor. At camp, I was surrounded by people who lived unapologetically for the Lord, and I was reminded that God is a relational God. During that summer, I decided to make Jesus the Lord of my life instead of just treating Him as my savior. Since then, God has totally transformed my life and made Himself known in so many different ways!
My role as the administrative director is to humbly serve and support the Illumin8 volunteers and students, so they can know God and make Him known through their daily walk! I keep things organized on the back end so that the ministry can continue impacting students and doing kingdom work out in the community. I plan different monthly events, am the primary communicator with parents, maintain the website, help make sure Wednesday nights happen, coordinate fundraisers for camp and the ministry in general, play on the worship team, disciple a group of middle school girls, mentor girls throughout the program, support our volunteers, and put out fires as needed.
Click here to support Victoria financially in ministry: https://illumin8youth.churchcenter.com/giving/to/victoria
