Our Staff
Pastor Heather comes to Agapé †Kure Beach from parish ministry. A graduate of Wake Forest School of Divinity, she most recently served at Wittenberg Lutheran Church in Granite Quarry, NC. Pastor Heather is excited to learn and grow with Agapé †Kure Beach as interim Executive Director, and will divide her time weekly between camp and the home she shares with her husband Aaron, a musician, in Winston-Salem. Heather’s ties to A†KB go back to childhood, when her parents Paul & Cornelia Briggs were involved in the early days of camp. Heather and Aaron's daughters Lili and Violet both live in New York, NY. Heather enjoys hanging out with her dogs, Fred and Xexe, reading, (very) easy crafting, and spending time with friends & family.
Michael grew up in Greensboro and is a member of First Lutheran Church. He will receive his B.A. in Religious Studies and Music from Davidson College this May. A lifelong camper, as well as a Counselor and Team leader from 2021-2024, he has grown to love Agapé †Kure Beach, its mission and vision, and its affirming community. He is excited to help this ministry continue to build leaders, relationships, and meaningful Christ-centered experiences for all whom it welcomes and serves. Michael also plays multiple musical instruments, is an avid baseball fan, and self-identifies as an Enneagram nerd (he's a type 4).
Krista has been an ACE Educator since 2018, and has thoroughly enjoyed sharing her love of nature with the schoolkids of the Triangle community.
Before moving to Raleigh in 2017, Krista was a Naturalist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and an Educator at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. She first gained her love for teaching in college at Iowa State University where she earned her BS in Natural Resource Ecology and Management.
Nancy grew up in rural upstate New York. She moved to North Carolina in 2016 and got her start at Agapé in 2017 as an ACE Educator. She has since taken on the position of camp Office/Donor Relations Manager. In addition to her office duties, Nancy enjoys occasionally working with school field trips as an ACE Educator.
Jamala is a native of Virginia and holds a B.A. in English from Hampton University and a M.S. Ed. with an emphasis in Sports Management from Old Dominion University. Most of her professional career has been spent in the education and nonprofit sectors.
While Jamala has a knack for organization, planning, and administration; she also loves to help and encourage others to reach their goals.
Hailing from suburban Chicago, Arzania brings over 20 years of culinary experience to the table. In his free time, he finds joy in fishing, strumming his guitar, and expressing himself through sketching. With a passion for creativity in the kitchen, he eagerly anticipates crafting new dishes for the guests of Agape to savor. Arzania believes deeply in his purpose to serve and nourish others through the art of cooking.
Penny grew up in western North Carolina and holds a B.A. in Studio Art from UNCG. She got her start at Agapé hiking the woods with kids as an ACE educator. In 2007 she was hired to work in the office as the Capital Campaign Coordinator. Since then she has taken on Agapé's marketing responsibilities.
Part Time Staff
Board of Directors
Melinda Menz
Elon, NC
Andrew Chamberlain
Greensboro, NC
Devin Buell
Durham, NC
Murney Rinholm
Fuquay-Varina, NC
Rev. Dan Burris
Greenville, NC
Madeline Dassow
Greensboro, NC
Jeff Fike
Apex, NC
Michael Mitchum
Davidson, NC
Lelia Moore
Cary, NC
Katie Neuhauser
Cary, NC
Ethan Overcash
Thomasville, NC
Ray Prill
Raleigh, NC
Debbie Simerly
Fuquay-Varina, NC
Andy Smith
Raleigh, NC
Rev. Phil Tonnesen
Salisbury, NC