Apprentices 2011-12
Emmanuel Danso Apau
In 2010-11, I work as the Director of Developing People for Success (DPS), a faith-based nonprofit organization incorporated in Minnesota with focus on Africa. The prime aim of this organization is to promote the interest of the poor, vulnerable and low-income people with affordable housing and education in Ghana. Prior to this Position, I worked for 13 years as an Assemblies of God ordained minister and served as a caretaker of the Brussels branch of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana as part of foreign missions in Belgium and planted a branch church for the Presbyterian Church of Ghana in Brussels among the African community. I served for 5 years as the national director of a US faith-based organization (Faith Fellowship Ministries International) with headquarters in Washington D. C. I also worked as the Director of Ghana Office for HiP Stitching; a Netherlands based Christian NGO for 2 years. I am a man with deep passion and concern for the needs of the poor. I believe in holistic ministry and am guided by the philosophy that leadership is not about giving orders to others but giving of oneself and seeking the common good of all people. I believe in networking and partnerships to help the cause of the poor in Africa.
Sarah Pruett
Born in Mount Airy, NC, and raised in many places along the east coast, including New York, Pennsylvania, and Georgia, I have experienced many cultures and been a part of many communities. After college in Sewanee, Tennessee, where I earned a degree studying Religion, I worked for a year as a sweets baker and a photographer’s assistant before following my heart’s path to an internship at an intentional community called Lost Valley Educational Center near Eugene, OR.
My interests are in the connection between faith and life practice; peaceful action for economic, racial, and class justice; and the care of our sensitive and beautiful biosphere. Since leaving Lost I have lived in Portland, Oregon for about 3 years. In Portland I have worked with an ecumenical non-profit in their environmental ministries unit, served as a church receptionist, hiked 1,400 miles continuously along the Pacific Crest Trail, and become a member of Farmageddon Growers’ Collective (we are a certified organic farm of one acre in NW Portland).
What draws me to the Center at this point in my life is the perception of my calling to be an outspoken and active person of faith in this world—and all of the questions that it brings about for me as to what that looks like. I feel as drawn to the financial and physical structures of the Center as much as I am drawn to its content and its community, which is a dear blessing to me.
Sarah Moyer
I consider the northwest US as my home, having spent much time in Northern Cali, Portland Oregon, Seattle and Spokane Washington, After graduating from Whitworth University with a BA in music, I spent a year in Thailand as a resident assistant, teacher, sports coach, and voice instructor. I fell in love with the peaceful culture and the laid-back life style- and the scrumptious food of course! Since returning from Thailand I have been living the simple life, taking care of my precious one-year-old nephew. We have loads of fun discovering worms in the dirt, studying flower petals, and playing music together. I am so very excited for this opportunity at the Center to learn better how to care for this beautiful earth, while exploring my faith, and living closely with others.
Naomi Corwin
Naomi Corwin spent her childhood in Berkeley cultivating a deep appreciation for goat cheese, dark chocolate, and social justice. After many years of capricious artistic endeavors she decided to take a leap of faith and devote her studies at Willamette University to Art. The pursuit of Art served her well and she was lucky enough to find a fantastic job as a teaching artist at the Museum of Children ‘s Art in Oakland , California . She spent several years facilitating finger painting, encouraging exploration, and improving her teaching skills. Throughout all the excitement of pinch pots and paper maché monster masks, she found time to have adventures across the sea. After some time in France she had the privilege of making her way to the Democratic Republic of Congo. She painted murals with a talented young artist and was inspired by the strength of character she witnessed at HEAL Africa hospital. Her love for cross-cultural exchange and a desire to pursue community building through art has inspired her to take a year to think about vocation. She looks forward to learning about permaculture and sustainability within a spiritual community.