MEET THE JHM TEAM

Matt Heer
Junior High Pastor

Jessica Gulino
​Leaders & Life Groups
God called me to be a youth pastor when I was 13 years old, and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. I originally hail from the Midwest, but I've been on the JHM team at Saddleback since 2014 and I'm pretty sure I have the best job in the world. I think junior high students are the coolest and love watching how much students grow (in every sense of the word!) in these couple years. Other than JHM, my greatest loves include the beach, iced coffee, being outside, and tacos. 
Junior high students are some of my absolute favorite people and I am stoked to be a part of Junior High Ministry at Saddleback. Along with being fun, goofy, and absolutely hilarious, I love seeing students have light-bulb moments in their relationships with Christ and take steps to make their strength their faith. If I could, I would spend everyday outdoors, especially at the beach, drinking coffee, and eating acia bowls. Swing by JHM to say hi, I'd love to meet you! 

Nikki Campagna
​Communications, Events, & Summer Camp

Stephen Tadena
​Weekends
​Orange County and Saddleback Church have been home for as long as I can remember. I grew up through JHM and HSM, and as a high school student, I felt called to work in Youth Ministry full time. I am so thankful that God has led me back to my home church to work with my favorite people on the planet. Nothing is more exciting to me than watching students fall in love with Jesus and his church. It is a privilege to have a front row seat to life change! I love visiting coffee shops, playing card games, eating tacos, and going to the beach.
​I came to Saddleback Church in 2011 as a junior high student, and ever since then, I have called this church my home. I actually gave my life to Christ at JHM Camp that summer back when this ministry was called Wildside! I was called to work in ministry while I was in high school, and no matter what other endeavor I pursued, God always brought me back to students. It makes my heart so full when I see students I have interacted with grow in their faith and show the love of Jesus Christ to others. When I’m not at church, you can find me running on trails or roads, reading a nice book, or munching at Linda’s Coffee House. Come say hi! I don’t bite…unless it’s a breakfast plate with 2 scrambled eggs, bacon, and hash browns.​

Jasper Sattel
​​Next Steps & Life Groups

I’ve lived in South OC for my entire life, so you could say that I’m a California guy through and through. My Junior High and High School years were where I started to have a clear understanding that Jesus is more important than anything else in my life and I began sensing a tug on my heart to serve Him with everything that I am. Soon after this, I felt an overwhelming feeling that I needed to be in full time ministry and the Lord opened a door for me to do just that! Junior High was a critical time for me and my relationship with Jesus, so I love that I get to help students become closer to Jesus with their time here at JHM. I love answering hard questions about the Bible and Jesus, so bring your hardest ones to me and we can tackle them together! If I have a day off, you’ll catch me surfing, hanging at the beach, playing guitar, or eating sushi! Sushi is the greatest thing ever invented; and there’s no debating it!​

Karel Wiensz
​Summer Intern

I moved to California when I was in second grade, and I have called Saddleback my home ever since. I was given this really incredible opportunity to grow up in a student ministry unlike any other. It's where I learned about what true discipleship looks like and where I would eventually feel called to work in full time ministry my sophomore year. Working with students has always seemed like a no brainer since it has already been such a big part of my life. I've loved seeing how God can use even the insignificant influences, like chugging hot sauce at summer camp, to ignite this fire inside students' hearts to live for his kingdom. You can usually find me surfing down at San Onofre, or somewhere outdoors camping and hiking with friends. I am in absolute love with coffee and tea. There's not a better drink to spend time with friends and meet new ones!

Katie Edwards
​Lake Forest Student Ministries Pastor

Junior High Students are my favorite humans on the planet! I’ve been doing Jr. High Ministry here at Saddleback since 1996 and I am convinced it is the most important ministry in the church…however, I could be just a tad biased. My heart for each student in JHM is that they would fall more in love with Jesus and build authentic relationships with peers, mentors, and the church. Through small groups, the weekend church service, serving, and fun, I would love to see every student grow in their personal relationship with Jesus. I have not only seen thousands of junior highers over the years experience the life changing love of Jesus, but I have seen that life change in my own children as well. Side Note: The best thing in my life is my family…I have been married since 1998 and I am the mom of Abby, Ella, and Cooper. I really hope you will take some steps to get involved in JHM. My team and I will do whatever we can to help you connect to the church and Jesus. Can’t wait to meet you!
© COPYRIGHT 2022 SADDLEBACK CHURCH JUNIOR HIGH MINISTRY, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.