Board Members

The city of Vienna, Austria, was home to Marla as a child, where she grew up as the daughter of missionaries. She met her husband, Daniel, at Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana. Daniel has founded two companies, and he enjoys his work as residential designer, builder, and inventor. Marla is involved in PTO, volunteering at the local elementary school, and bookkeeping for one of their businesses. For several years, Marla taught German at Grace College, and then worked at Zimmer until Miriam was born.

After exploring many different ways of becoming parents, Miriam came into Daniel and Marla’s lives as a newborn through adoption. Miriam has taught them so much about life, priorities, and about God’s unending and patient love for his creation.

Marla feels honored to be part of the Lost Sparrows family.

Janice and I have been foster parents in our county for over 30 years and we have had over 100 children in and out of our home during that time. We met at Grace College and have 3 grown children and 7 grandchildren. We still enjoy being involved in the lives of several of the children we have had in our care. Currently, we split our time between our lake home in Winona Lake and our ocean home on St George Island in Florida.

After spending some years after college in management, together we have built and purchased businesses over the past several years. We currently own the Winona Mercantile gift store in The Village at Winona and we have an online health supplement business. We recently sold our Orthopedic Instrument machining businesses in Indiana and California and hope to have more free time. Mark also has been involved in business and ministry startups in the US and Dominican Republic. We enjoy traveling, RVing, bike camping and riding – and watching grandkids sporting events. Our home church is the Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church in Winona Lake.

Jerry and I are closing in on 40 years of marriage. We have 4 grown children all of whom were adopted between the ages of 2 and 6. Our adoption journeys took us both across state lines and outside of the country. We are now in the midst of a long-term kinship care position raising our grandson.

After 30+ years working at Zimmer Biomet in their accounting/finance/information technology areas, I retired for one day before starting the next chapter at Warsaw Community Church where I am on staff as the Controller.

This transition has freed up time to start a small travel planning business. More importantly, this has freed up time to become involved with Lost Sparrows where I am passionate about serving in the OVC space and helping others learn more about childhood trauma.

Andrea joined the Lost Sparrows board in 2025.  She has spent her career as a professor and as a marketing professional throughout Northeast Indiana. She,  her husband Rick, along with their adopted daughter, live in Warsaw, and are active at WL Grace. When not working or in school, they enjoy swimming, traveling and family dance parties.

Bio coming soon!

Angie and I recently celebrated 25 years of marriage. We have two adopted kiddos and two bio kiddos. Jacob is 21. Wendy (adopted from Colombia at age 15) is 20. Liza is 19. Yohannes (adopted from Ethiopia at age 8) is 16.

I spent 20 years in the fire service and currently work at G&G Hauling & Excavating as an Estimator/Project Manager.

We have attended Warsaw Community Church for over 25 years. Angie has served in multiple ministries there and I have played drums on the worship team for 25 years, also serving in student ministries as well. In 2017 I joined the elder board and currently serve in that capacity. Angie and I have also led various adoption and OVC related initiatives at WCC over the last several years.

I am currently on the Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory Board. I also spent time on the board of Raise The Dough.

I enjoy hunting, camping, and spending time with my family. I love the Rocky Mountains and visit there whenever I get the chance.

Nothing has grown me as a follower of Jesus like being an adoptive dad has. I am so excited to join the board at Lost Sparrows. God is moving in big ways in the OVC space and I see Lost Sparrows playing a key role as they help the hurting find hope in Him.

I have been married to my best friend, Aaron, since 1995.  We have three children.  Our oldest son got married to his childhood friend in 2023 and is currently an officer in the Marine Corps.  Our daughter is marrying her high school sweetheart in May 2024 and is attending Grace College and majoring in Medical Imaging.  Our youngest son was adopted from Ethiopia at the age of 6 in 2011 and is currently attending trade school.  We have also hosted three exchange students over the years from Germany, China and Italy.  We consider them our kids and enjoy staying in touch.  It has been a joy to learn about so many different cultures.  We are about to experience the empty nesters life and looking forward to that time together.  Aaron owns Norris Thermal Technologies, a manufacturing business started by his father in 1965.  I am the Office Manager and a Director of Norris Thermal.  Outside of the children and the business, we enjoy hiking, kayaking, camping…basically anything outdoors.  We love to travel and have visited 47 of the 50 states, mostly as a family.  Our greatest enjoyment is spending time with our children and their spouses.  We have attended Christ’s Covenant Church in Winona Lake for 14 years.  Being an adoptive mom, I know the challenges and see the value in being a part of a community of adoptive families, which is why I am passionate about the work of Lost Sparrows.

Bio coming soon