Erin Haagsma

I was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, a place that will always feel like home thanks to the loved ones who live there, Midwestern friendliness, and the Dutch Christian Reformed community I grew up in. I am a recent graduate of Calvin College, where I earned a B.A. in Linguistics with minors in Spanish and Philosophy. While at Calvin, I spent a formative semester in Honduras, where I lived with a host family, spoke Spanish, and learned more about the brokenness and beauty of the world and the people who live in it (including myself). I was also deeply involved with Calvin’s Service-Learning Center, most recently as the office’s Spring Break Trips Coordinator, where I recruited for and facilitated Service-Learning trips to wonderful communities around the country.

I care about a lot of things, but a few themes that have really attached themselves to my heart are Latin American communities; the power of story, literacy, and education; the empowerment of women and girls; and LGBTQ inclusion in the church. I am excited to be at Sojourners, working with people who care about similar things and using my gifts to serve God and God’s people.

I’m happiest when I’m reading a good book or having a good conversation. I also love spending time outside on a cool day, practicing my Spanish, exploring new places, and singing at the top of my lungs to Taylor Swift’s album Red. I’m thankful to my family, friends, and mentors for supporting me and loving me throughout my life, and to God for his unwavering faithfulness.