Meet the Mission Team for 2025

We are blessed to have nine members from Grace Lutheran Church in Nashua, New Hampshire and three members from Promise Lutheran Church in New Haven, Indiana 

Grace Lutheran Church, Nashua, New Hampshire 

Pastor Chen is the associate pastor at Grace Lutheran in Nashua, NH. He enjoys traveling and has been on short term mission trips to Costa Rica and Guatemala.  He is looking forward to seeing the ways in which Christ sends forth his gospel to POGA. Pastor Chen is the chaplain to the mission team.  

Michelle Wright is a retired Special Educator.  She loves spending time with her family.  Since retiring, Michelle spends her time helping her husband Doug with some of the office work for his business, managing the rental properties she and Doug own, and volunteering.  This is her third trip to Point of Grace, two as part of a mission team and once on an administrative trip with 4Kenya’s Kids.  Michelle serves at Grace Lutheran as the chair of the Board of World Missions and she also sits on the board of 4KenyasKids. This year, Michelle is the team’s trip coordinator.   

Doug Wright is an HVAC contractor and small business owner in Massachusetts.  He is 63 years old and has attended Grace Lutheran for approximately 7 years with his wife Michelle.  Doug wanted to be involved with the mission with Point of Grace Academy since he first heard about it when Pastor Meeker visited Grace Lutheran in 2021.  This is Doug’s 2nd mission trip to Point of Grace where he serves as the team’s construction leader, ensuring that the plans and budget for Grace’s project stay on track.  Doug is a member of the Board of World Missions as well as sitting on the board of 4 Kenya’s Kids.   

Rachel Walters, 53, has been married to her loving husband, George for 25 years.  She has two wonderful sons, Evan (22) and Eric (20).  She is a homemaker who loves birdwatching, knitting, solving puzzles, and singing.  She is very excited to be sharing this mission trip with her son, Evan! 

In her own words, “In 2023, I had the privilege to join Grace Lutheran and Pastor Stecker and his wife Carla on the mission trip to Point of Grace Academy in Kenya. I met the Meekers and the hard-working people at POGA and I met the beautiful students, children of all ages who, despite so many hardships and obstacles, kept their eyes fixed on Jesus. I was so grateful to be there, helping those at POGA and those in the surrounding community. This year, I am excited to return to help again with our awesome mission team and bring to POGA the love and support of our congregation. How wonderful that we can all be the hands and feet of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!” 

Rachel serves as the mission team’s Musical Director. 

Evan Walters is 22 years old and works as a U-Haul Manager, does mechanical work, and cleans  

cars at a used car dealership. He joined the mission trip to help spread the word of God  

and gain perspective on another part of the world. Evan has been blessed to be a member of  

Grace Lutheran since he was young and has watched the church grow. Evan is the videographer for this mission trip. 

Anuja, 49, is a scientist passionate about service and education. Raised in India by parents who founded a school for underprivileged children, she believes education is a powerful tool for change. After earning her doctorate from the University of Nottingham, she moved to the U.S. for research. Though fulfilled in her career, Anuja felt called to do more. 

At Grace Lutheran Church in Nashua, she serves on the Board of World Missions and is now joining the mission team to Kenya, where faith and education bring hope to children. This trip is personal—she looks forward to meeting her sponsored child and supporting students at POGA. 

At home, Anuja enjoys gardening, volunteering, and cooking Indian meals for her mother and partner. In a world often marked by division, she hopes this mission will shine as a beacon of love, reminding us to spread compassion everywhere. 

Anuja serves as the Medical Coordinator for this trip. 

Lori Krohner is 67 years old and retired from working with medical device companies as a Remediation Global Quality Analyst. She also worked part time as a Physical Therapist Assistant. Lori enjoys helping others with construction projects, being outside in nature, swimming, hiking, biking and skiing. She is excited to be part of this team, to help others in any aspect she can and share with the members of Point of Grace Academy my faith in Jesus and His love. Lori is the treasurer for this trip. 

Dan Wilkie is 71 years old and a retired manufacturing manager. Dan will be one of the bloggers on this mission trip. Dan has been a member of Grace Lutheran Church for 27 years. He wants to visit again with the little dude he’s been sponsoring, help spread the word of God, and help the mission in any way he can. 

Marcia Wilkie is 64 and enjoying retirement with her husband, Dan Wilkie. She recently retired as an IT Project Manager/Executive Assistant and has been enjoying gardening, doing projects around the house and traveling to visit with family and friends. She is looking forward to meeting the child she and Dan sponsor and help with the wonderful projects planned. Marcia will be blogging for the trip along with Dan. 

Promise Lutheran Church in New Haven, Indiana 

Chris Blauvelt is a proud family man married to his wonderful wife, Julie. Together, they’ve raised three amazing children and are now blessed with four energetic grandchildren. Chris is a retired Registered Nurse who dedicated his career to serving veterans at the VA Hospital and he continues to value compassion, service and family in everything he does. 

Doug Perkins is married to his wife Michele. They have 3 kids who are all married and 6 grandkids with one on the way. Doug knows Cheryl Brockman who is a board member at 4KenyasKids, and she told me she had openings for the upcoming mission trip to Kenya. They have sponsored Joyline for a few years at the Point of Grace Academy and have supported the 4KenyasKids mission for years. Doug hopes that the Holy Spirit will work in him and through him for the time we are in Kenya. He prays that we will make a difference for those kids at the academy in a way that will positively affect their future in some way. He hopes to work together with the other members of the group and school in whatever capacity necessary. 

Denny Stuerzenberger, his wife Linda, and family have been involved with the Kenya ministry at Point of Grace for almost a decade.  They have been blessed to be sponsors and have been able to see the ministry grow through the dedication of Pastor Dennis and Lorna Meeker.  Being able to see and serve the ministry firsthand will be such a blessing and milestone experience.   

Thank you for allowing us to tag along with your team on this journey.