The MSU Wesley Board of Directors is pleased to announce, effective July 1, 2024, that Sonrisa Cortes will become the new full-time MSU Wesley Director. Sonrisa is currently serving as part-time Student Ministries Director at Holland First UMC in Holland, Michigan and as a full-time therapist with Arbor Circle in Grand Rapids.
Sonrisa holds a Masters in Divinity (MDIV) and a Graduate Certificate in Disability Ministry from Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan. She also has a Masters in Social Work from Grand Valley State University and a B.A. in Anthropology from Purchase College State University of New York ( SUNY). Her counseling specialties include: Substance Use Disorder, PTSD, trauma-informed care, LGBTQ+, gender identities, spiritual trauma, spirituality, depression, anxiety, solution-focused therapy, and CBT, Seeking Safety certified , LLMSW, CAADC-DP.
In addition, The Michigan Conference Board of Ministry has recommended Sonrisa for commissioning as a provisional deacon, at the 2024 Michigan Annual Conference to be held in Traverse City at the end of May.
The MSU Wesley Board of Directors was impressed with Sonrisa’s passion for creating a safe and nurturing environment where students are empowered to navigate their own faith journeys, foster relationships and further develop leadership skills and her energy and ideas for helping to revive and reshape this important ministry.