The Rev. Brad Kalajainen, Director of Spiritual Life
Brad Kalajainen joined us for his first season as Director of Spiritual Life in June of 2021. Previously, Brad was the founding and lead pastor of Cornerstone UMC in Grand Rapids, MI. Cornerstone began as a church plant in 1990 in the Michigan Conference of the UMC and has experienced continual growth over 29 years as they pursue the mission of “Helping people know Jesus and make him known.” He is a recipient of the distinguished Denman Award for evangelism from the Michigan Conference. Under his leadership, Cornerstone UMC has grown from 25 core attendees in 1990 to more than 2,500 weekly attendees who worship across three campuses.
He has emphasized children and youth ministries, attracting many young families along the way. Brad’s passion is helping churches recover their vision and effectiveness. He has taught extensively on small groups, preaching, staff development, and more. Brad coaches, consults in areas of new church planting and church revitalization, leadership, growth, and related topics. Brad has been married to Colleen for 40 years. They have two grown children, Kaylee and Ben, one son-in-law Mitch, and two grandchildren, Avery Joy & Maddox.
Carisma Player, Church Coordinator
Carisma Player joined us in July of 2024 as our Church Coordinator. She is originally from Orlando, Florida but moved to Denver, Colorado at 19 to attend college for Accounting. She realized quickly that she wanted to work with children instead of numbers and has spent the last 30 years in the education field, mainly in the Early Childhood arena. She called Colorado home for those 30 years and enjoyed all the hiking, camping, concerts and outdoor adventures the beautiful state had to offer. Recently relocating to Ludington, she is excited to have found and be a part of the Epworth community. Carisma is married to her husband Len, whom she has known since they were 13 and they are the parents of two amazing humans.
JaiLynn Petrie, Pianist
JaiLynn Petrie has been playing piano since she was 4 years old, taking lessons from her aunt throughout her formative years. She graduated from Shelby High School in 2007, having been very involved in music. She attended St. Mary’s College at Notre Dame for a year, before moving home to spend time with family. She has since built her career from the ground up, working for many area schools, including Shelby, Hart, Ludington, Oak Ridge, West Michigan Christian, and Manistee High Schools, as well as West Shore Community College and Central Park Players. She now works as the full-time accompanist & secretary for Mona Shores High School’s Choir Program.
JaiLynn is the proud mother of one young daughter, Charley Clare. JaiLynn loves performing at Epworth and has been the pianist since 2015. JaiLynn also previously served as the Church Coordinator.
Greg Kjolhede, Audio/Visual Technician
Greg Kjolhede has been the Audio/Visual Technician at Epworth since 1996. He very involved in the performing arts communities in Ludington and surrounding areas. Greg has assisted with performances at West Shore Community College, the Ramsdell Theatre, the Ludington Area Center for the Arts and various other community productions.
Church Staff
The Rev. Brad Kalajainen, Director of Spiritual Life
Brad Kalajainen joined us for his first season as Director of Spiritual Life in June of 2021. Previously, Brad was the founding and lead pastor of Cornerstone UMC in Grand Rapids, MI. Cornerstone began as a church plant in 1990 in the Michigan Conference of the UMC and has experienced continual growth over 29 years as they pursue the mission of “Helping people know Jesus and make him known.” He is a recipient of the distinguished Denman Award for evangelism from the Michigan Conference. Under his leadership, Cornerstone UMC has grown from 25 core attendees in 1990 to more than 2,500 weekly attendees who worship across three campuses.
He has emphasized children and youth ministries, attracting many young families along the way. Brad’s passion is helping churches recover their vision and effectiveness. He has taught extensively on small groups, preaching, staff development, and more. Brad coaches, consults in areas of new church planting and church revitalization, leadership, growth, and related topics. Brad has been married to Colleen for 40 years. They have two grown children, Kaylee and Ben, one son-in-law Mitch, and two grandchildren, Avery Joy & Maddox.
Carisma Player, Church Coordinator
JaiLynn Petrie, Pianist
JaiLynn Petrie has been playing piano since she was 4 years old, taking lessons from her aunt throughout her formative years. She graduated from Shelby High School in 2007, having been very involved in music. She attended St. Mary’s College at Notre Dame for a year, before moving home to spend time with family. She has since built her career from the ground up, working for many area schools, including Shelby, Hart, Ludington, Oak Ridge, West Michigan Christian, and Manistee High Schools, as well as West Shore Community College and Central Park Players. She now works as the full-time accompanist & secretary for Mona Shores High School’s Choir Program.
JaiLynn is the proud mother of one young daughter, Charley Clare. JaiLynn loves performing at Epworth and has been the pianist since 2015. JaiLynn also previously served as the Church Coordinator.
Greg Kjolhede, Audio/Visual Technician
Greg Kjolhede has been the Audio/Visual Technician at Epworth since 1996. He very involved in the performing arts communities in Ludington and surrounding areas. Greg has assisted with performances at West Shore Community College, the Ramsdell Theatre, the Ludington Area Center for the Arts and various other community productions.