Meet the staff of the Fall 2012 YPDTS @ Eagle Rock!

Hey guys,

So I thought I’d just introduce you all to the staffthat are running the YPDTS!  These guys are awesome people of God, walking in His ways and encouraging each of us to find our identity in Christ (going to Him for support, rather than them or other people) whilst also being there for support.  They are not just leaders, they are not just friends, they are family!

Mark & Donna MacGowan (Colorado formerly Virginia)

These guys are the YPDTS and Eagle Rock Base Directors (or rather, Mark is thedirector and Donna is his lovely and a true representative of ‘Proverbs 31’wife).  They’ve staffed the YPDTS for 20years already (leading a total of 27.5 DTSs – not all YPDTS) and have a strongpassion for God.  Mark and Donna bothbecame Christians, where Jesus became their personal saviour and friend in the60s-70s, through the Jesus Movement that occurred in America during that time.

Eric & Amy Barlow (Pennsylvania & New Jersey)

(and their kids - Malachi and Lucas)

When I think of disciples of Christ, I think of theseguys.  They’re under thirty years of ageand have such a huge heart for God, His children (everyone) and representingthe body of Christ with everything they have no matter what struggles they’regoing through or have gone through.  One ofthe many things that these guys are passionate about is living out the Word ofGod (the Bible) and using it in everyday situations. 

Amy, being my small group leader and one-on-one has helped in rekindling mypassion for God’s Word and learning how to apply it to every day life.

Eric is an adept Settlers of Catan fan, eager to challenge anyone to a game.  He's also a great leader, filling in for Mark, as director of the school, when he's away. 

Their sons, Malachi (3) and Lucas (9 months) are the cheekiest yet funniest kids you’llever meet.  Malachi has such intelligenceand wit that it’s crazy to believe he’s only just turned 3.  When I talk to him I feel like I am talkingto someone around my age.  He often hasquestions or comments that leave you wondering what God has in store forsomeone who has wisdom and knowledge and curiosity beyond his age.  It’s going to be amazing that’s for sure!

Jenna Cassel (Pennsylvania)

For a 23 year old, this beautiful woman of God has theleadership of a Loawnu.  She is wise,strong and very capable and she has beauty that cannot be marred – internally andexternally.  Jenna is also the head leaderof the Colombian team, with Joel as her assistant.  For someone so young, she has a heart biggerthan the World!  It’s huge!

Joel Bishop (California)

As stated above, Joel is the other leader that is going toColombia.  He’s big into sports,seemingly volleyball at the moment (mind you it’s also the only sport we really play up at the mountain), and has a heart to genuinely know people andmake situations fun.  He has a greatcharacter that makes people feel at ease and welcomed into any situation.  Joel also likes turtles!

Mary Lefever (Pennsylvania)

This woman of God is one of the boldest and most influentialwomen that I have ever come across.  Sheis strong and powerful, and crazily anointed with the Holy Spirit, lettingnothing sway her from the path that God has placed her on.  Saying that though, Mary is also one thatsearches for fun and milks it for all it’s worth!  This beautiful chica definitely knows how tomake life an adventure and shares it with all around her!

Andrew Farland (California)

From a child that should have been aborted, to beingadopted; having heaps of money to surrendering it all to God and following thecall on his life of being a missionary with YWAM (Youth With A Mission), thiscrazy kid is as fun as they get. 

These past few weeks he has been in Nigeria starting arevival with a group of other people (www.impactnigeria.net)where amazing things have been happening in Jesus’ name.  He’s also the head leader of the YPDTS Africateam, who will be going to Rwanda and Uganda in two weeks. 

One thing that amazes me about Andrew is how he genuinelywants to know you as an individual, and how God sees you, and he’s willing andeager to pray for you and hear and share God’s personal word for you! 

Kelsey Gilchrist (Ontario, Canada)

Kelsey with Malachi Barlow

Up on top of Eagle Rock

Snowboarding, trailblazing, rock climbing, adventure seeking…this chica knows how to live life to the extreme.  She’s only 21 but has lived life a lot morethan most twenty-one year olds and has discovered God in a real and intimateway that has resulted in her living her life for Him and helping others knowhow they can have this life too by the choices that they make daily.   She’shelped me learn that I am in control of the choice that leads my life and I amthe one that needs to choose it daily! This beautiful woman of God is also Andrew’s assistant on the upcomingoutreach in Africa.

Bradley and Emily McKay (Oregon & South Dakota)

Emily and Israel (Izzy - 1 y.o.)

Brad snowboarding

This beautiful couple, whilst not leading the YPDTS schoolitself, are a very important part of the staff up here at Eagle Rock.  Brad looks after the IT area, but also playshis hand in maintenance (my work duty) and joining in on the volleyballgames.  Emily, his lovely wife, althoughoften looking after Izzy, has been a dear friend to me.  She was one of the first leaders that made mefeel welcomed and has the sweetest heart. Both these guys testimonies are amazing and whilst the journey has notbeen easy for them they have big hearts for people who are struggling, gonethrough addictions and/or mental illnesses, and are also eager to help leadpeople to the light of Jesus and freedom!

Lars Lindquist (Colorado)

     

Meet Lars, he’s one schnazzi dude!  He’s also the leader for Costa Rica!  This bro knows how to pull a fashionstatement that creates trends, as well as play multiple musical instruments(with talent) and get fully into the word. He’s even made previous YPDTS leaders (having done his DTS as a YPDTSstudent a few years ago) make changes to the curriculum by asking the question/statement“We do a lot of book reports, but for a Christian/missionary school we don’topen the Bible for assessment often”. This resulted in weekly Bible readings being implemented into ourcurriculum which has definitely resulted in growth for most of us.  This guy is definitely a trend setter for thekingdom of God that has a heart for getting to know people and making Christknown!

Veronica Beck (Pennsylvania)

 

A woman of many colours, Veronica has an identity thatallows her to fit into any crowd without trying and without being fake.  She’s a gamer, an adventure seeker, acleaner, a cook, a medic, a worshipper, a movie lover and a woman of God (amongmany other great qualities).   Her quirkypersonality allows people to feel like they belong without changing themselvesand her hunger to persevere is inspiring beyond measure!  She is truly one of a kind, but being one ofa kind she fits the missing puzzle piece perfectly and is one great godlychica!

  

Megan McClimans (Illinois)

Nineteen, beautiful and a leader in God’s kingdom (and alsohere at Eagle Rock and on YPDTS), this stunning daughter of girl has thesweetest, cheekiest heart.  She knows howto make you smile without trying and has a sweet skill in hospitality!  This bella make come across as gentle andsweet but she’s definitely a fierce warrior of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Isaac Burkhead (Illinois)

Another one of the younguns, this bloke is also ferventlyafter God’s heart.  He’s down to earthand is a top gun bloke in that he’s genuinely interested in people.  Isaac also dotes on his girlfriend Megan,with a godly character that defines him as a true gentleman and it’s such anencouragement to see that this love still exists!  Isaac has his passions of pokemon and severalother anime shows, but that doesn’t stop him from hitting the slopes and sportsregularly and just chilling with the guys around him.

Danny Churman (Pennsylvania)

Danny is our chef in the kitchen, organising all the menusand meals for every day that we’re here.  He’s also in charge of accounts, whilst we’reup at Eagle Rock, and our go to man for making payments or getting updates onhow much support is risen. He’s quirky and fun and likes to have a game ofvolleyball with anyone who’s playing, as well as being able to relate well tothe base (and the world’s) children, no matter what their age.   

Alex Haney (Michigan)

Alex is one of those guys that when you get to know him you’lllove him.  He’s so gentle hearted andcaring that Christ shines straight through him. His role at Eagle Rock is to assist Danny in the kitchen and also fillin with other jobs, one of which is supervising the afternoon kitchen work crew.  Often you’ll see him sitting and reading hisBible, sometimes with a hot drink, but usually just basking in the sunlight andconversing with God.  Alex is also onewho’ll have a hit at the volleyball when a game is on, as well as watching his Sundayfootball and is one (of the few) who actually likes and plays soccer (when weplay it)!  He’s a true blue legend that’sfor sure!

Christin Seigle (Germany)

Christin (pronounced Christine) is our newest staff member,who took up the challenge of filling in the deep shoes of Andrew’s role whilst hewas in Africa.  We are now blessed withher being allowed to stay with us until we go on outreach.  But this gem of a treasure is truly that, atreasure.  Whilst English is not herfirst language, she is so sweet and caring that it’s amazing!  She’s qualified as a dance teacher – helping uswith some of our outreach skits/dramas/dances, and just got back from staffingand leading the Summer outreach (June – October).  Her passion for people’s true identity to bein Christ is real encouraging, as is her hunger on just getting to know eachperson individually!