UFM Staff

Rev. Deborah J. McCreary

Rev. Deborah J. McCreary

Executive Director

Deborah’s connection to Urban Family Ministry occurred through mutual relationships she and the ministry’s Board President have with a local church supporter. She has a heart for Urban’s call to partnership and service in the community where she lived as a young child.

In her role as Executive Director, Deborah is responsible for working directly with the Board to discern God’s vision for the ministry moving forward, prayerfully considering the programming needs and offerings, and maintaining adequate staffing. She is invited to meet and engage the neighbors listening to their hopes and suggestions for what UFM can contribute that aligns with our overall mission. Deborah is also involved with coordinating with community entities in service, networking with churches and other non-profits, and fund raising.

Deborah obtained a Master of Arts degree, as a Family Life Educator, from Western Michigan University and a Master of Divinity degree, at Western Theological Seminary. She is ordained in the Reformed Church in America as a Minister of Word and Sacrament. She has been privileged to serve with various outreach ministries including Rose Haven Ministry, Mel Trotter Ministries, Alpha Prison Ministry, and Degage Ministries. She recently launched her own non-profit, Sista2Sista GR so that she may continue walking alongside her sisters in both spiritual and practical life pathways offering retreats, spiritual disciplines, discipleship, family programming, and financial health seminars.

Rev. Tamber Bustance

Rev. Tamber Bustance

Program Developer/Coordinator

Tamber loves UFM’s mission to experience the life changing love of Christ through relationships. She is passionate about serving, being creative in developing and teaching lessons and building community.   

As the Program Developer/Coordinator, Tamber develops the teaching themes and lesson plans for all programming including Teen/Kidz Nite, Wild Wednesday, Dance and College Connection. She will also help lead presentations and will work with staff and volunteers on maintaining a shared vision and focus on UFM’s mission.

Tamber spent more than 15 years working in social justice education with a focus on cultural agility, developing teams and people, and creating inclusive learning environments. She has served as a Bible teacher, spiritual formation facilitator, praise dancer, mentor, coach, cultural diversity facilitator, and on prayer teams. She is a mentor for Crossroads Prison Ministries, and board member for Sista2Sista GR. Tamber has her Bachelor of Science degree from Grand Valley State University and her Master of Divinity degree from Cornerstone Theological Seminary.

Courtney Anderson

Courtney Anderson

Program Support Staff

Courtney Anderson was our Parent Intern during Fall Semester of 2023! We have enjoyed getting to know her better over the semester. She is very passionate about non-profit work and ministry. Straight from the beginning, she jumped right into ministry and every opportunity she had to learn about non-profit work. When her internship ended, we brought Courtney onto staff as our new Program Support Staff for kids & teen programming!

Elijah Libbett

Elijah Libbett

Community Liaison

Elijah joined the staff in the fall of 2016 and continues to teach the rest of the staff about the urban culture. Elijah is involved in Men’s Ministry and community outreach. He has opened the UFM building to many families in need of a place to hold a repast (funeral dinner) and other family gatherings. He supports men who have been in prison for more than 10 years and helps them re-acclimate back into society. Elijah also hosts the neighborhood men offering them a place to share life and have meaningful conversations while playing cards, pool, ping pong or just by watching a game. Elijah has opportunities to share how Jesus changed his life and is able to be an example to the men in the community.