Staff and Students

Betty serves as part of the Pastoral Care Team after many years of ministering in Saginaw area churches and in children residential foster care facilities and substance abuse recovery programs for adults and teens. Her background includes a BA in Education from the University of Toledo, an MA in Pastoral Studies from Marygrove University and another MA in Counseling from Spring Arbor University. She has additional educational experiences in Clinical Pastoral Experience (CPE) units through Covenant’s CPE program. Chaplain Betty enjoys ministering to patients, staff and visitors at Covenant with the WE-CARE values.

Curt serves as an occasional employee at Covenant. Curt was ordained deacon in 2001 and priest in 2002 in The Episcopal Church, and has been Rector of a local congregation since January 2017. He is also president of Interfaith Saginaw. Before arriving in Michigan, Curt served congregations in California, New Mexico, and Texas. Curt completed one unit of CPE in 1999 at the University of Alabama Birmingham Hospital. He earned his Master of Divinity from the University of the South School of Theology in Sewanee, Tennessee in 2001, and is currently engaged in doctoral studies. Curt received his Bachelor of Arts in Radio, Television, and Film from the University of North Texas, and worked for the CBS Radio News affiliate in Dallas before entering full-time ministry.

Dale is a 2021-2022 Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) resident chaplain. Dale is an ordained minister with a BA in Church Music and Christian Education (1984), and MM in a Chaplain track from Asbury Theological Seminary (2022). Prior to coming to Covenant, Dale was a Worship and Small Groups pastor at Mayfair Bible Church in Flushing where he served for the last 20 years. He is also a chaplain with Marketplace Ministries where he has served as a corporate chaplain since 2009. Dale has been married to his wife Melissa for 38 years, has a married daughter in Chicago and a son in law school at George Washington. Dale and his wife welcomed their first grandchild (Owen) in October 2021 and enjoy spending time seeing him.

Dennis, a 2022-2023 Clinical Pastoral Education Intern Chaplain, is the Senior Pastor at Essexville Community Church. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Michigan and a Master of Divinity from Regent University in Virginia Beach. He is a Michigan native and has worked as a pastor since 2009. Dennis is honored to be part of the Pastoral Care Team at Covenant HealthCare.

Don is serving as an occasional chaplain at Covenant. He completed his Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) internship in July of 2020. Don received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Saginaw Valley State University, and a Juris Doctor degree from Western Michigan University’s Thomas M. Cooley Law School. He has worked in the legal and insurance fields for more than thirty years. For the last ten years, Don has also been a staff writer for a large, international Christian ministry where he writes articles and answers Bible questions weekly. He has written extensively on many subjects and has taught classes on the book of Genesis. Don enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with his family. He is married to Deb and has two grown sons. He is excited to be a part of the pastoral care team at Covenant.

Elsie feels honored and blessed to serve as an occasional chaplain at Covenant HealthCare after completing her four units of CPE residency in August 2021. She has brought a variety of experiences from her diverse pastoral background. As a pastor's daughter, Elsie has served in outreach programs across rural southern India and serves as a volunteer hospice chaplain. She spent 18 years in the quality engineering industry before being called into full-time vocational ministry. Elsie completed her BA in Ministries and BS in Community Development from Central Michigan University. She is continuing her education in Christian Leadership and Church Ministries. Elsie is ordained by the FRC/IAC chaplain’s network. Elsie completed her previous CPE unit from the Spiritual Living Center for Education and Training. She is passionate about people and caring for others in need. Elsie enjoys spending time with her daughter Sheena, her dog Missy, and two cats, Max and Jack.

Forest completed a B.S in Christian Counseling from Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. He then got accepted into the Air Force where he completed Commissioned Officers Training and the Chaplain Candidate Intensive Internship as well as 35 days of Active Duty Training. From there he did his first unit of CPE in Lynchburg, Virginia serving Centra Hospital. Forest completed his 2019-2020 Residency here at Covenant HealthCare and feels blessed and honored to continue serving as a Staff Chaplain. He completed a Master’s in Divinity from Liberty University and is ordained by the National Association of Christian Ministers. He is endorsed through Liberty Baptist Fellowship.

Janet, Staff Chaplain, is an Elder in the United Methodist Church and is endorsed as a chaplain by The United Methodist Endorsing Agency. She brings several different areas of experience with her. Janet has earned ten units of accredited clinical pastoral education with a specialized focus in adult behavioral health. She served the local church for seventeen years as a pastor, six years as a Life & Safety Officer at Wichita State University, two- and one-half years at the Department of Corrections and seven years in The United States Air Force. While serving in the military she had the opportunity to live overseas in Japan and South Korea. Janet earned her Master of Divinity at St. Paul School of Theology and BA from Southwestern College, Kansas. She grew up in Indiana and lived in Kansas for several years after serving in the military. She enjoys spending time with family, fishing, gardening, and her toy poodle, Teddy.

Jeff is a 2020 graduate of the Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) residency program and currently serves as an occasional chaplain. Jeff received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Akron. He spent five years working in the engineering field before being called into full-time vocational ministry. Jeff and his family moved from Ohio to Michigan in 2000 so he could attend Grand Rapids Theological Seminary where he earned a Master of Divinity degree in 2004. Jeff has pastored three churches and was ordained in 2009. He has served as a fire chaplain, hospice chaplain, and marketplace chaplain. Jeff and his wife have a teenage daughter and son as well as an adult daughter. Jeff enjoys running, golf, and yard work. His dream is to play a round of golf at St. Andrews, the Old Course in Scotland.

Jeff is a 2022-2023 Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Resident Chaplain. He is an ordained minister in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Jeff received a Doctor of Ministry degree in Discipleship and Biblical Spirituality (2021) and a Master of Divinity degree (2008) from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, MI. Jeff served in pastoral ministry for 20 years in Iowa and Missouri. He has worked with people of all ages and backgrounds throughout his career in pastoral ministry. Prior to his call to pastoral ministry, Jeff served as the Director of Listen America Prevention Programs in the greater Flint area. He is passionate about God, family, sports, writing, and the great outdoors. He is happily married to Rhonda, his wife of 29 years. They have 3 adult children and 4 grandchildren. He is honored to serve as a member of the Pastoral Care team at Covenant HealthCare.

Kathy, Director of the Pastoral Care Department, is a deacon in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. She brought a variety of experiences to the role of director in July 2007, including being a high school math teacher, college professor, and Hospice volunteer. During her chaplaincy training, Kathy did her CPE internship at Gunderson Lutheran Medical Center (in La Crosse, WI) and her CPE residency at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center (in Toledo, OH). For her Master of Arts in Diaconal Ministry she specialized in hospital chaplaincy, and her Ph.D. is in Curriculum & Instruction. Kathy can be reached at 989.583.6037.

Kirsty is a 2022-2023 Clinical Pastoral Education Chaplain Resident. She is an ordained minister in the Reformed Church of America. She has served in a variety of capacities in various locations. She returns to Michigan after serving at a church in New Hampshire. She has completed 2 units of Clinical Pastoral Education at Dartmouth Hitchcock Hospital in New Hampshire and anticipates completing four units at Covenant and becoming a board-certified chaplain. She has been a local pastor for 15 years and served as the Coordinator for Discipleship for the Reformed Church in America for 5 years. She graduated from Hope College and received her M.Div. from Western Theological Seminary. She is married to her husband Tim and has two adult children. She enjoys spending time with family, swimming, Zumba, long hikes and seeing people find hope and healing.

Lafayette, an occasional employee, joined Covenant’s Department of Pastoral Care & Education in October 2015. In 2014, he completed a Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) internship and received his CPE Certification from Covenant’s CPE Program. In 2014, Lafayette was installed as the second pastor of the 63-year-old congregation of the historic Bethlehem Baptist Church of Saginaw. Along his journey serving in ministry for 16 years, he has been ordained and appointed as the Chairman of the Deacon Board, licensed and ordained as a minister.  Lafayette gained ministry knowledge by attending Midwest Bible College in Pontiac, Michigan.

Lang is a Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) resident chaplain. Before coming to Covenant HealthCare, he completed one unit of CPE at Serenity CPE Center for Experiential Learning in Elgin, IL. He was born in Xiengkhouang, Laos. He came to the United States in 1979, when he was 11 years old. He serves as a Chaplain for the US Army Reserve and a part-time minister to the Hmong Ministry at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Lansing, Michigan. The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod ordained him in 2008. He has a Juris Doctor Degree (J.D) from LaSalle University, a Doctor of Ministry Degree (D. Min), and a Master of Divinity in Chaplaincy (M. Div.) from Liberty University. He is certified to teach Strong Bond – Speed of Trust for Soldier, Family, and Marriage; and Ask, Care, Escort – Suicide Intervention (ACE-SI). He is also a certified instructor teaching First Aid, CPR, and AED with the American Red Cross. Lang’s passion is helping people.

Morgan, Administrative Associate, joined the Department of Pastoral Care & Education in May of 2022. She was born and raised in Mid-Michigan, and married her husband Thad, in June of 2022. Morgan previously worked as an administrative assistant for three years at a non-denominational church and found her niche for ministry service. In 2021, Morgan graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies, with an emphasis in Biblical Studies, from Grand Canyon University. She is delighted to work closely with the chaplains and be a part of the Pastoral Care Department here at Covenant HealthCare. Morgan can be reached at 989.583.6042.

Ron, CPE Program Manager, Department Pastoral Care & Education, is an Elder in the Church of the Nazarene. He retired as an Active Duty Army Chaplain (Colonel) in 2022 and held hospital chaplain positions at every level of Army Medicine concluding his career as command chaplain to the U.S. Army Medical Command and Army Surgeon General. His CPE Residency was at Madigan Army Medical Center, his ACPE Certification Education Training at Brooke Army Medical Center where he was the CPE Program Manager and Director of Ministry and Pastoral Care. Ron earned his Bachelor of Arts, Religion from Asbury College, Master of Divinity from Nazarene Theological Seminary, and his Doctor of Ministry from Erskine Theological Seminary. Ron is passionate about Practical Theology and ACPE Clinical Pastoral Education. He can be reached at 989.583.4279.

Roy is serving Covenant as an occasional employee. He married Delicia and is the father of Destiny and Dakari. He’s a 1987 graduate of Saginaw High and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the Cheyney University of Pennsylvania in 1992. He earned his Master of Education in Educational Administration and an endorsement in Emotional Impairments from Saginaw Valley State University in 2000. In 2018, he completed a Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) internship and received his CPE Certification of 1 Unit from Covenant’s CPE Program. He has been an educator at Saginaw High School for nearly 25 years and retired in 2020. Roy received leadership training with the Chamber of Commerce in Leadership Saginaw County, 1000 Leaders, and the Great Lakes Bay African American Leadership. Roy is ordained clergy in the Church of God in Christ and serves in the capacity of Superintendent of Christian Education at the Lewis Temple COGIC where he was trained in ministry for over 30 years. In his current capacity, he finds time to serve as Interim Pastor at the 9th Street Community Church (Mennonite) of Saginaw since March 2020. He is also a mentor for the youth of Saginaw City.

Ruth, a staff chaplain, has continued serving at Covenant HealthCare after completing a CPE residency here from 2018-2019.  She completed a previous unit of CPE at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services in Grand Rapids, MI.  Ruth is an ordained minister with the Reformed Church in America.  Prior to that, she served on the mission field in Taiwan and China.  She has an MDiv from Western Theological Seminary (Holland, MI) and both an MA in Intercultural Studies and TESL and a BA in Christian Education from Wheaton College (Wheaton, IL).  She is delighted and honored to be a member of the Pastoral Care team at Covenant HealthCare.