Marie Friesema M.A. ’15 has two identities. When she’s not working as the English Department Academic Coordinator, Marie serves as the president and CEO of the Race Track Chaplaincy of America (RTCA) Chicago affiliate.

“It was not the horses or the thoroughbred racing industry that prompted my involvement,” Marie notes. “It’s the people God called me to serve.”

In the summer of 2009, Marie and her husband volunteered to teach English to migrant workers and their families living on site at two local thoroughbred race tracks. Over the years, as the scope of the ministry grew, Marie’s involvement shifted from teaching ESL to establishing RTCA Chicagoland as its own independent 501(c)(3). She now serves as the organization’s primary spokesperson and fundraiser.

To support the needs of the workers and their families, RTCA Chicagoland’s chaplains and volunteers offer a range of children’s, youth, and adult ministries and programs. Or they simply walk the barns to serve breakfast and coffee and pray for the workers’ safety.

“It’s lifestyle evangelism at the core,” Marie explains. “They are not going to care what we say until they see that we care.”

HOMETOWN: BACOLOD CITY, PHILIPPINES

OCCUPATION: ENGLISH DEPARTMENT ACADEMIC COORDINATOR

YEARS: 11

EDUCATION: M.A., INTERCULTURAL STUDIES/TESOL, WHEATON COLLEGE (IL); B.A., TRINITY INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

FUN FACT: MARIE IS CURRENTLY WRITING A SCREENPLAY