Name
Angela VanAntwerp
Age
38
Company/Organization
Southwest Michigan Young Life
What Does Your Company/Organization Do?
Young Life is a global Christian organization whose mission is to introduce adolescents to Jesus Christ and help them grow in their faith. We have an active group at Lakeshore Middle and High School, Upton Middle School and an incredible Capernaum group serving kids with disabilities from Berrien County. It’s a place where you don’t have to believe to belong. We strive to create a group where kids feel safe, included and valued. Our ministry relies on a committed team of volunteer leaders, a local committee, donors, and paid staff – working together to recruit, train, support, and fund our mission locally.
Education
Graduated from Ferris State University in 2008 with a degree in Nursing.
Accomplishments
My biggest accomplishment is being a wife and mother to our four kids, working as a nurse at Southwestern Medical clinic, leading middle schoolers at Storyline, and volunteering in Young Life for the last 14 years.
What else do you hope to accomplish by the age of 40?
I hope to continue to learn and grow in my role with Young Life and expand the ministry of Young Life in Southwest Michigan. I also really want to learn to water ski before I’m 40. So reach out if you have a great track record of teaching people to water ski! 🙂
Current City
SAINT JOSEPH
Place You Were Born
Big Rapids, MI
What was your first job?
Working at Eastside Cafe in Big Rapids.
What’s the best advice you ever got?
The best advice I’ve ever received is: “Be faithful in the small things—because that’s where God does His biggest work.” It’s a reminder that consistency, humility, and showing up for people—especially when no one’s watching—can have a lasting impact.
Who inspires you most?
Cami Snyder, a close friend. After her daughter passed away, she turned her deep grief into a way to connect with others. Cami started The House That Lulu Built—a ministry that serves and supports families walking through the loss of a loved one.
That one thing about you we’d be most surprised to learn.
I love to wear Grinch pajamas all year around and often show up to friends’ houses in a onesie.
What do you love to do in your downtime?
In my downtime, I love downhill skiing, camping and spending quality time with my friends and family. My husband would say I’m also a huge fan of Night of Destruction at the Hartford Speedway – nothing beats nachos and watching cars smash each other under the lights.
What book are you reading now?
Daisy Jones & The Six
Volunteer activity you love the most.
Volunteering at my kids’ school and with Young Life.
What motivates you to give back to your community?
I’m motivated to give back because I believe lasting change starts with showing up for people—especially the next generation. My faith drives me to serve with purpose, and I’m passionate about helping others feel seen, known, and loved. As a mom, I’m deeply grateful for the generosity of our community and the volunteer leaders and teachers who invest in my kids—it inspires me to do the same for others.
What Superpower would you most love to have?
Time Travel
What would you like to leave behind as your legacy once you are gone?
I want to leave behind a legacy of faithful presence—someone who showed up, loved people well, and pointed others to Jesus through both words and actions. Whether it’s my kids, the students I’ve mentored, or the community I’ve served, I hope they remember that I was consistent, compassionate, and committed to making others feel seen and valued.
What does the honor of being named to the 40 Under 40 most mean to you?
I am honored that someone would nominate me. As my friend said, “You are getting old, so it’s now or never.” I’m humbled and grateful to stand alongside so many others who are working to make Southwest Michigan a better place.
