MEET THE JHM TEAM
Katie Edwards | Junior High PastorJunior High Students are my favorite humans on the planet! I’ve been doing Jr. High Ministry here at Saddleback for 21 years 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 teenagers as well. Side Note: The best thing in my life is my family…I have been married for 19 years…and I am the mom of Abby (17), Ella (14), and Cooper (6). 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! *Katie oversees all things junior high at our Lake Forest campus. |
Matt Heer | 8th Grade GuysGod 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 for about three years 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. I oversee the weekend program at JHM and pastor the 8th grade guys. I love iced coffee, being outside, the beach, and tacos. *Matt oversees all things 7th grade guys, as well as our weekend services. |
Bryce Kelley | 8th Grade GuysWhen I was a junior in high school, I started volunteering with JHM and discovered how much I truly love youth ministry. I graduated from Concordia University in Irvine, and now studying at Gateway Seminary! Since I grew up at Saddleback, I absolutely love being able to work here and influence student’s lives, just as mine was impacted from when I was in JHM and HSM. I love hanging with junior high guys and being involved in their lives. My biggest joy is seeing students own their faith, and then watching them become a part of the church. Some of my favorites include taking naps, eating grilled cheese, adventuring to new dessert places, and watching Los Angeles Chargers (they will always be the San Diego in my heart). If I don’t know you yet, come find me in JHM! *Bryce oversees all things 8th grade guys, as well as life groups and our momentum events. |
Jess Gulino | 7th/8th Grade GirlsJr High students are some of my absolute favorite people and I am stoked to be a part of Jr. 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! * Jessica oversees all things girls, as well as student leadership and Impact OC. |
Drew Payne | |
Troy Sullivan | |
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I was born and raised in Mission Viejo and started attending Saddleback in 6th grade! I have been serving through JHM, HSM, and Cluster of Students since I was a sophomore in high school. Since then, I have lived in Santa Cruz, CA, Michigan, and Seattle. I have always been called to serve the kingdom and spread the Good News to anyone who has not yet heard it, and God has lead me to some awesome places and experiences through that calling. In my spare time, I love to surf, be a coffee snob, and go shoot pictures and videos with my friends. I also have an unhealthy obsession with Snickers bars, so do not get in the way of that relationship. *Drew oversees creative media aspects of JHM |
I've lived in Lake Forest my whole life, and I grew up attending Saddleback Church as a student. I started serving in the junior high ministry as a senior in high school, where I felt God calling me into full time ministry. I interned here in JHM, and during that time, JHM really became a place that I feel is my home away from home. My passion is bringing students into our church family, and I feel blessed that I get to do that at the church I grew up in. Some of my favorites include: surfing, coffee, and breakfast food (why would anyone ever eat anything other than breakfast food). *Troy oversees student next steps and resources. |
Ben Slevin | Summer InternI started attending junior high ministry as 7th grader, and came back to serve as a leader in 11th grade. It was in this time that I discovered my love for serving junior highers and playing a role in leading them to Christ. I am currently attending Seattle Pacific University studying business, planning to graduate in the spring of 2022. I love the Angels, playing golf and In-N-Out. I am excited for this opportunity to work alongside the JHM team this summer!
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Abby Edwards| Summer InternI was born and raised in Mission Viejo. I go to Irvine Valley College and love it! I've been attending Saddleback since I was born. I got involved with serving in JHM the summer before my senior year of high school. I have absolutely loved being involved with JHM and just think junior highers are the best! I love my family, reading, coffee, and Jesus!
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I attended JHM as a junior higher and it changed my life. I fell deeper in love with my church community and with Jesus. Since then, I knew there was something special to the ways God works in the lives of Junior High students and wanted to be a part of it. I began volunteering in JHM when I was a junior in high school and am so stoked to dive all in this summer hanging out with students, drinking too much Starbucks (if that’s even possible), and getting a front row seat to the work God is doing.
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I am transferring to Biola University in the fall to pursue a Biblical Studies and Psychology degree. I like the beach, more specifically anything outdoors, I Love to spend time with people, and I'm thrilled to be in a position to be pointing students towards Jesus.
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