Meet City Gate's staff
Dr. Lynn Bergfalk, Executive Director
Lynn Bergfalk, President and Executive Director of City Gate, pastored churches in Iowa and Nebraska before serving as Senior Minister of Calvary Baptist Church in downtown Washington, DC, from 1987-2000. With the sponsorship of Calvary, he founded City Gate in 2000, and also is currently pastor of Wisconsin Avenue Baptist Church in Washington, DC, a City Gate partner.
He has been active in varied community and religious organizations for many years, including service on the General Board of the American Baptist Churches USA, and as President of the DC Baptist Convention. He is a graduate of Bethel College in St. Paul, MN, Yale Divinity School, and has his Doctor of Ministry from Wesley Theological Seminary in D.C.
Mrs. Kristin Wiener, Associate Director
Kristin has a diverse background of double degrees in both biochemistry and accounting from Iowa State University. She moved with her husband to the Washington DC area in 2000, and worked for The Washington Opera Costume Studio and Harriet Kassman, Inc., specializing in costuming and couture evening gowns. For the last seven years, Kristin has tutored and mentored at-risk youth in southeast DC through volunteer activities and later as Program Director for City Gate. Kristin now serves as Associate Director, managing City Gate's finances, development, and programs, while making time each week to teach science and sewing to the kids in our programs.
Ms. Michelle Newby, Site Manager
Born and raised in North Carolina, Michelle moved to Washington, D.C. in 1988. She has a diverse background, with experience in both the government and retail sectors. Previously, she worked as a teacher's aide at the Early Childhood Learning Center. Michelle is also a licensed minister of the gospel at Gateway Cathedral of Praise. She says her "great passion is to see our children prosper, living not dying but declaring the goodness of Jesus." Now she has been with City Gate for 4 years, currently managing the after-school, summer day camp, evening youth, and adult and family literacy programs at our SE site.
Mrs. Alicia Hall-Vicks, NE Site Manager
Alicia has over ten years of experience in family advocacy in family advocacy and early childhood development, working previously at the YWCA and Metropolitan/Delta Adult Literacy Council before coming to City Gate in 2007. She started her own family advocacy program in 1997 to address critical needs of the families involved in her adult literacy classes. Alicia currently serves as City Gate's NE Site Coordinator, working with children and families of Richardson Dwellings and Drew Elementary School.
Ms. Joëlle Tressel, Preschool Coordinator
Joëlle Tressel comes from Paris, France where she grew up. She used to work as a Project manager. She moved to Washington DC with her family in December 2002. In 2005, she started to work in the field that she is really passionate for: teaching children. She has been teaching French to children for four years. She joined City Gate in 2009 and has participated in the creation of the Caterpillar Preschool.
Mr. Barry Tillman, Office Manager
Barry comes from a rich and varied professional background. Most recently was that of Office Manager of Metropolitan/Delta Adult Literacy Council. He was responsible for managing a small, non-profit program whose sole intent was to provide basic adult literacy education to those in Washington, D.C., specifically, the Shaw neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Having been affiliated with many church organizations and non-profit programs benefiting the community, Barry is excited about joining City Gate, an organization that is passionate about urban ministry, and empowering and serving the community. Barry is a member of Shiloh Baptist Church, Washington, D.C. He enjoys singing with the Senior Choir and serves on the Board of Directors of the church's credit union.
Mrs. Rachelle Braun
Rachelle is working with City Gate through the summer of 2009 as an AmeriCorps member and will be teaching and coordinating ESL classes and teaching science in an after-school program. She grew up in North Dakota and Minnesota and recently graduated from the University of North Dakota with degrees in Spanish and international studies. She moved to Washington after returning from a one-year position teaching English at a University in Cuenca, Spain. Rachelle is interested in teaching English as a second language and second language acquisition.