Kristi VanTassel, Ministry Director

If you talk to Kristi you'll soon get the impression that every aspect of her life revolves her passion for children. Being the oldest of 6 children, the daughter of a Montesorri school director with a child-centered approach to teaching, the mother of three herself, and having worked with children in a variety of jobs, it's clear that God has called her to love and serve children and their families.

Kristi moved to Duluth to attend UMD where she completed undergrad and graduate schooling, focusing on education and psychology. Then after nearly four years at a local hospital specializing in Children's Mental Health when God began calling her into working with children and their families at the Vineyard. She came on staff in 2010 and now oversees the Children's Ministry where she enjoys seeing people become empowered, and pressing-into what Jesus is up to.

Kristi and her husband Ben have been married 8 years and love spending time exploring the world and doing life with their three children; Amelie, Soren, and Asa. The VanTassel family is all about being outdoors and treasures every moment of the short Minnesota summers. They've been known to pack-up even the tiniest of their babes and head into the wilderness with their canoes.