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MEET OUR TEAM |
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Staff
Josh DriverEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR After graduating from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities in 2010 with a degree in Asian Literature and Language, Josh started at the Hospitality Center as a volunteer and furniture intern looking to connect to Chinese students using his Mandarin. Since then, he has been a “Josh-of-all-trades” performing to some extent nearly every role in the organization. In 2016, he met and eventually married the volunteer coordinator, Sarah, and they are enjoying raising their first child, Liliana Joy. In his free time, he loves landscaping, photography, camping, and soccer. Josh is excited to lead the organization using the gifts and strengths God has given him. Annie OgaziCOMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Born and raised in Minnesota, Annie had a uniquely independent upbringing as a homeschooled student. Throughout her homeschooling experience she learned about the world through literature, practical projects, and trips both in her hometown and across the country. Later, she attended Bethlehem College & Seminary, where she crossed paths with her Nigerian husband. They tied the knot in June 2022 and are currently residing in the vibrant and diverse Phillips neighborhood of Minnesota. Experiencing the warm welcome of both her husband and other international students by Minnesota friends has deepened her appreciation for multicultural relationships and hospitality. AnoopPROGRAM COORDINATOR Anoop, an ordained Lutheran minister from India, graduated from Luther Seminary with a Master of Theology degree. His love for theology and ministry brought him to the United States. As he explored youth ministry in the United States, he fell in love with it and dedicated himself to live the gospel amongst the young people. His hope is to make more connections with the International students at UoM, and bring them closer to HC.
In his free time, he loves singing, watching and playing cricket with friends. His heart is also for volunteering, and playing Badminton.
. David JahnkePROGRAM SPECIALIST Since my college days I have been challenged by these words: The question is not: Can we do it? The question is: Is God in it? These words provide me the direction and courage needed to share Jesus in a cross-cultural setting.
Here is what I strive to do:
Listen carefully to God’s desire and do as He asks.
Discover, recognize, determine, know and create high-
level, quality, effective Jesus followers.
Support Jesus followers to increase and multiply their
impact.
Extend the gospel presence throughout Asia.
I've been blessed to put this into practice through my work with Converge in Asia:
15 years of evangelism and church planting in Japan
resulting in three church plants and multiple new
believers.
8 years of leadership amongst all Converge global
workers
12 years of leadership amongst Converge Asia global
workers and Asian partners in: Japan, China, Thailand,
Indonesia, India, Cambodia, Singapore, Philippines. |
Jonathan NesvigCOMMUNITY DIRECTOR Jonathan was an international student himself in 2009 in Xiamen, China. God greatly impacted him there. He went on to spend six years living in China. More than the cities and attractions, Jonathan found the most rewarding part of his time abroad being hosted and befriended by the local people, and, of course, meeting his Californian sweetheart! Jonathan is very grateful for the opportunity to continue to connect with China and the nations through his work at the Hospitality Center. In his free time, Jonathan enjoys time with his family, good food, and beating the Hospitality Center Executive Director in some office foosball. Jenna HermanSTAFF SUPPORT SPECIALIST Jenna attended the University of Northwestern - St. Paul where she graduated with a degree in Spanish, minoring in Art and Bible. Her love for other cultures and languages began in late high school, and it only increased during her time teaching at a Christian English camp in the Czech Republic, studying abroad in Costa Rica, and visiting other countries. She has a passion for international students and helping them feel at home and connected in Minnesota. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, baking, making candles (and other art endeavors), and spending time with friends and family. She started out as a volunteer and then an intern and is excited to now be on staff with the Hospitality Center! Dana B.VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR Dana is passionate about serving international students, and building multicultural communities of friendship. She was an international student in Uganda and Rwanda, in completion of her Intercultural Studies program at Bethel University. She has experienced the hospitality of many East African and South Asian peoples, and has lived abroad for 4 years - immersed in cultures she loves dearly. Dana has enjoyed learning new languages growing up. Her first was Spanish, then some Luganda, but she is most lingual in Hindi/Urdu. Dana met and married her husband, Namit, in South Asia. In her free time, she enjoys Punjabi bhangra dance, traveling, trying new foods, hiking, kayaking, swimming, and time with family and friends. Arianna and Austin HoegST. PAUL RESIDENT HOSTS Shortly after tying the knot in June of 2017, Arianna and Austin became the caretakers of The Hospitality Center. Arianna graduated from Bethel University with a Bachelor’s degree in Cultural Anthropology and is working on completing a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy at Bethel University. Austin graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and soon a Masters in Public Health and Nutrition. This fall, he has just begun medical school at the University of Minnesota. God has most recently gifted Arianna and Austin with their first baby, whom they love dearly. |