Northwest Indiana

Miriam V. Quezada Mendez serves in the Center’s Northwest office in Crown Point as the Bilingual Associate for Resource Consulting, working to advance the Center’s mission to strengthen Indiana congregations by providing resources to the communities that make up the diverse tapestry of the Northwest region.

Born in Jalisco, Mexico, Miriam immigrated to the United States as a child and grew up on the East Side of Chicago. She earned her bachelor’s degree at Illinois College, graduating with a double major in Communications & Rhetorical Studies and International Studies with a concentration in gender and immigration equity.

Before joining the Center, Miriam served as the Director of Communications at the Parliament of the World’s Religions. In her tenure with the Parliament, Miriam worked closely with faith, community, and nonprofit leaders on outreach, engagement, and interfaith community-building efforts. She is an enthusiastic advocate for youth, Indigenous, and women’s voices in faith and civic spaces.

Miriam is a member of the St. Paul Catholic Church in Valparaiso, where she and her family attend weekly Spanish service.

Rose Villarruel is the administrative assistant for the Northwest Center for Congregations.  Her administrative background is in tax sales and includes work with the Office of the Lake County Auditor.  For more than 10 years, Rose has volunteered to coach grade school volleyball for the Northwest Indiana Catholic Youth Organization.  Rose attends St. Mary Catholic Church in Crown Point, where she is actively involved in the distribution process for Gods Groceries Food Pantry.

Dr. Terrance A. Bridges, Sr. is the director of the Center’s Northwest office in Crown Point and serves congregations in the Northwest portion of the state. He is licensed with subsequent ordination from Pentecostal Churches of the Apostolic Faith International, Inc. An ordained elder, Terrance combines his parish ministry with adjunct professor work for Martin University, WAFIF College of Kingston, Jamaica, Grace College, Horizons Christian University, and guest lecturing at colleges and universities nationwide. His consulting practice includes work in the areas of program development, evaluation, strategic planning and intergenerational ministry.

Terrance has a bachelor’s degree from Taylor University in Upland, a master’s from Ball State University, Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies and Doctoral Studies from Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia. His Educational Specialist and Doctorate of Education degrees from Northcentral University. He has served in ministry at Rechurch, Charlotte, The Assembly, Chicago, Kingdom Apostolic Ministries and Eastern Star Church, Indianapolis, and Union Baptist Church, Muncie.