middle school staff
Dave AllardiceI am a middle school youth coach. I was born in Hudson, New York. I have been married to my wife Wendi since 1993 and we have 4 kids; Jered, Jenna, Kobe, and Devin. I am an educator who has worked with middle school students for the past 14 years. I am currently employed at the Academy of Tucson Middle School as the principal. I absolutely love middle school students; I enjoy teaching them, goofing around with them and being around their energy.
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Lexus Barrios
While growing up I did not grow up in a Christian household. My mother and father had divorced when I was three and I struggled with growing up in an unstable fatherless home. However, in 2007 my mother passed away unexpectedly. Family friends, who attended Vail Christian Church, took me in. From 2007 to 2010 I struggled with grief over my mother and learning about an unconditional loving, all knowing God. In 2010, I accepted Jesus into my heart and was baptized. Since then I have continued growing in my faith, and serving in the church.
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Cory Bull
Born and raised in Texas, then moved to Tucson in 9th grade. I started going to Vail Christian Church and got connected in the youth group through the worship band. I now go to the UofA working on a Psychology degree so that I can become a pastor of some sort. I am totally leaving it up to God to lead me where he wants me to go! I am excited about being a Youth coach because students are awesome! They have crazy amounts of abilities and strengths that can be formed to glorify God. Not only am I excited to teach and lead, but I am super excited about the kids teaching me. I hope that God gives me the ability to lead kids effectively and the grace and humility to be taught by them as well :]
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Kaitlyn Dusek
I am a middle school youth coach and I co-lead the 6th grade small group. I am the oldest of four children. I am now attending the Art Center Design College and working at Chick-Fil-A. I started working with the middle school group after I graduated high school in 2009. I wanted to be a leader in youth ministry because I wanted to give back into the program that helped shape me into who I am. I want to help teenagers discover who God really is and how that applies to their lives.
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Heidi Erickson
I’m a Tucson native, and I’ve been married to my husband, Jack, for 15 years. Together we have 3 amazing daughters…Sydney, Ella & Callie! I work as a Research RN at the UofA and conduct a children’s asthma study. I became involved with youth ministry because I believe God calls us to pass along our faith to the next generation and to help them build a strong foundation in Christ.
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Josh FrenchI was born in Ventura CA on July 16, 1992. My family and I moved to AZ when I was two years old and have been here ever since. I have an amazing mom and dad and super cool sister. I was raised in the church and began attending VCC during my sophomore year. I graduated from Cienega High School and am currently attending the UofA. I love music, food, watching and playing sports, and hanging with my friends and family. I am down for just about anything. Jesus is awesome and I try and live for him best I can. =)
I want to be a middle school coach because without the mentors I had in my life, I wouldn’t be the same person I am today. I look forward to getting to know the students and teaching and learning from them.
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Brian McClung I have been involved in various forms of youth ministry since shortly after being saved in 1997. I am joyfully married to Joyce McClung, who can be found most Sundays making the wonderful donuts at the VCC cafe. We've been married since 2005 and are still waiting for God to bless us with children. I am an electrical engineer at Raytheon, doing digital electronics design. I currently am part of the 7th and 8th grade small group on Wednesday nights at the Allardices' home. My motivation for doing youth ministry, particularly at the middle school level, is my own memories of the craziness I went through at that age and a desire to guide students through this difficult transition period of their lives, sharing with them the knowledge of God's grace which I was sadly unaware of at their age.
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John McKieI am married to Martee and have four children: Jazzmyn, Imani, Khalil, and Kaiya. I currently work as the Director of IT at the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and Blind. I recently received my MBA in the Spring of 2009. I joined the youth ministry team because I believe in positive change for the better of society and I have seen first hand what can happen when you surround yourself with good people and you have faith in God. My family and I have found this in VCC and the members who we have formed friendships with over the last couple of years. We have noticed positive changes in our children in terms of attitude and character. God has worked through the MS team. I feel that God has moved me to be apart of this change and I am just following his lead.
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Brooke MyersBio Coming Soon!
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Sal RodriguezI like hanging out with middle schoolers - really, I do! In addition to being involved in the Middle School ministry at VCC and attending the Wednesday night 6th grade small group with my wife, Susan, I am a Phys. Ed. Teacher and the Athletic Director at Desert Sky Middle School. I love sports (playing and watching - GO STEELERS!) and have coached just about every sport imaginable. I live with my wife and our blended family of six kids. I became involved in youth ministry because of the changes a relationship with Christ has made in my life, and because I am constantly inspired by seeing these same changes in the lives of kids.
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Susan RodriguezI am a mother to the masses. My husband, Sal, and I live in a home with a blended family of six kids (kind of like the Brady Bunch but with only one very lovely girl), two dogs and a lizard with an attitude. I was a stay at home mom for 12 years, but am now the HOA Finance Director for Cadden Community Management, a Tucson-based property management firm. Originally from the Northeast, I love living in the desert - where else can you go camping in January? I became involved in student ministry because it seemed a natural extension of my life surrounded by kids, whom I truly believe are some of the coolest people on the planet.
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Julie SpierI have always had a passion for students and began serving in youth ministry as a volunteer leader in 2001. I began working as a Middle School Director in 2004 while I finished classes at UofA. I earned a degree in Psychology and Sociology as well as a Master’s degree in Ministry from Hope International University. I was married in December 2009 to Dave Spier, who shepherds our community groups and leads worship. I had the great privilege of having wonderful youth coaches speak into my life as a teenager and I feel blessed to pass along that wisdom.
I feel called to live life with students, allowing God to work through me to impact young people. I excitedly pursue relationships to encourage, mentor and empower others towards fulfilling the gifts and passions God has placed on their hearts.
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Rachel SimpsonI am a Psychology major at the University of Arizona, and I also work at Trader Joe’s. I am married to Nason Simpson. I love working with students and enjoy hanging out with them; its one of the highlights of my week. I want each student to know God and the things He wants for them. God has a plan for all of us, and a relationship with Him brings incredible peace, which is a peace I want everyone to experience.
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