Board of Directors
Francine Grimaldi Rienstra celebrates over forty years of business and communication experience. She is a University of Arizona graduate and has worked in radio, television, and marketing in both for-profit and the non-profit industries. Ms. Rienstra has founded, developed, and sold two businesses and is currently the Founder of Via de Dios, a 501(c)(3) Arizona non-profit organization dedicated to establishing a Christian Center for Education, Consolidating Organizations, Renewing the Spirit, and Unity.
Between 1984 and 1994, Ms. Rienstra’s tenacity paid off after a ten-year competitive battle with over 40 opponents for one new FM radio license allocated to Tucson by the Federal Communications Commission. The company was successful through the lengthy process to emerge the winner of the radio license for 104.1FM. In 1994, she signed-on and launched 104.1FM and within a year she oversaw the growth of the radio station to become the number one rated station in its target audience. Anticipating the future of independently owned radio stations having to compete with corporate giants in that era, Francine sold the station to Roy P. Disney. Over her career she has also launched the sales department for KJZZ 580AM, and managed local marketing efforts for the launch of WB58 TV (now the CW).
As the Media & Arts Domain Director of 4Tucson, a Christian non-profit organization, Ms. Rienstra created several teams to help unify creative Christians. After three years, she was asked to take the Marketing Director position where she created and developed the department. Francine’s husband of forty years grew seriously ill and she opted to retire to take care of him until his death in 2016. During her work at 4Tucson, Francine became acutely aware of the divisions between Christian churches and people. Her desire is to unify Christians through offering a central location in Tucson where Christians can break down barriers through collaboration, continuing education, prayer, and participation in events together. Ms. Rienstra formed a group and began to actively pursue locating a property. She filed and was accepted for an Arizona 501(c)(3) non-profit status in June 2017. The new organization, Via de Dios (Way of God), continues to seek an appropriate property and is actively securing funding.
Meanwhile, Via de Dios launched in 2018 at Habitat for Humanity with various Classes, and provided meeting and training space for Christian organizations and non-profits. Since then, we have outgrown the facility and have been welcomed at Hope City Church which offers more opportunities for partnering with like-minded individuals and organizations while sharpening our focus and goals.
Ms. Rienstra has been distinguished with a National Star Award given by American Women Radio & Television. Francine is a member of Desert Hope Lutheran Church, serves on the Prayer Team, is a member of Marie's Centering Prayer Group, and has attended the Contemplative Group at the Benedictine Monastery for several years. She delights in her family of two adult children, their spouses and five grandchildren. “I am very blessed”. “My greatest joy is to follow God’s call while serving and honoring Him daily.”
Jason is a native Arizonian who grew up in Tucson. He completed his Bachelors of Arts Degree from the University of Arizona in Religious Studies and History (2000) and has a Masters of Divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary.
He enjoys reading on a variety of subjects, as well as teaching and writing on Scripture, theological matters, the practice of Christian spirituality and other topics of current concern. Jason is a staff worker with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, in the Graduate and Faculty Ministries division; he primarily serves the Graduate Christian Fellowship at the University of Arizona. Jason and his wife are members of King's Cross Anglican Church in Tucson, AZ and he serves that congregation as a Lay Missioner.
Kirk served as pastor of United Methodist congregations in the Chicago area for 37 years, most recently at Trinity Church in Wilmette, featured in the Hollywood movie Home Alone. He also served as Adjunct Professor at the United Methodist seminary in Evanston, Illinois.
He received a B.A. degree summa cum laude (first honor) from Davidson College, an M.A. in Ministry from the University of Chicago Divinity School, a Master of Divinity degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry degree with distinction from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary.
He is an Eagle Scout, a U.S. Army veteran, an avid reader, and a passionate fan of the Arizona Wildcats and the Chicago Cubs. Over the past two decades Kirk has visited all 30 major league baseball parks.
His volunteer work includes being a reading coach each week for elementary school children in Tucson, teaching an adult class each Sunday at Catalina United Methodist Church, and helping to lead the work of Rotary International in Southern Arizona. He was selected to be Rotary’s District Governor in 2018-2019.
He enjoys being with his 3 children and 7 grandchildren, living in Oregon, California, and Tucson.
Donna Celenza-Sweet has been teaching bible studies and facilitating workshops for over 30 years. She holds an advanced Certificate of Catechism from the Diocese of Tucson. Donna has been involved in the Contemplative Prayer movement for 20 years, leading groups and facilitating workshops. She also holds a Masters in Counseling and is a Spiritual Companion.