Board Biographies

Rev. D. Kay Pratt

Kay is co-founder and President of PAPA’s Ministries. She is an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church. She has served congregations in Indiana and Michigan for more than 25 years. During her tenure she has been involved in many mission projects and has traveled to do mission work in the US and abroad.

Kay served as a full time missionary in Jamaica from 2006-2008. Along with husband Merlin, Kay will be serving as Co-Mission Director in Jamaica. She will be using her years of ministry experience to guide the organization as it seeks to train pastors and laity to be in mission and ministry to each other. Kay is appointed by the West Michigan Conference to serve PAPA's Ministries.

Rev. Merlin H. Pratt

Merlin is co-founder and Executive Vice President of PAPA’s Ministries. He will also be serving as Treasurer. Merlin has more than 20 years of ministry in local congregations as an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church developing skills in congregational reconciliation and restoration. He has served as Lay Speaking Ministry Coordinator as well as CROP Walk Coordinator for five years. Previous to his calling into the ministry, Merlin experienced a variety of business vocations and skilled trades which help in the daily running of our organization. Merlin served as a full time missionary in Jamaica from 2006-2008 handling duties of Mission Director and Building Coordinator. Merlin is appointed by the West Michigan Conference to serve as Pastor to the four church Port Antonio Methodist Circuit.

DeWayne Newell

DeWayne is a volunteer director. He is semi-retired as a bassoon key-mounter. Previously he worked as a lending officer in a bank for 22 years. He has been an active participant in Jamaica Mission Trips since his first one in 1995. DeWayne has many talents and is an active member at Wabash Friends Church, Wabash, Indiana. He is an active volunteer in his faith community, Wabash County United Fund, his church’s Stewardship, Finance and Missions boards. DeWayne also has terrific diplomatic skills.

Karen Grams

Karen is our Board Secretary. She is an active member of the Pilgrim United Methodist Church in St. Johns. Karen is a retired Dairy Farmer from Michigan. Over the years she has been the office manager and book keeper for their family farm “Valley View Dairy” in St. Johns, Michigan. Karen has been a long time supporter of Missions at home and abroad. Wintering in Texas, she has been involved in on ongoing mission to the poor with food and clothing ministries.

AnnMarie Smith

AnnMarie is an attorney in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She has recently retired after 25 years with the Kent Country Sheriff’s Department. Her current work involves criminal defense of indigent clients. She volunteers as a “English as a Second Language” tutor with the Literacy Center of West Michigan and as a mediator for special education, family matters, divorce and small claims matters with the Dispute Resolution Center of West Michigan.

Reverends Kay and Merlin Pratt

Merlin visiting at Barrack's River

DeWayne Newell

Karen Grams

AnnMarie Smith