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 8th grade guys, as well as our weekend services and winter camp. |
Bryce Kelley | 7th Grade GuysWhen I was a junior in high school, I started volunteering with JHM and discovered how much I truly love youth ministry. I recently graduated from Concordia University in Irvine, majoring in mass communication! 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 San Diego Chargers. If I don’t know you yet, come find me in JHM!
*Bryce oversees all things 7th grade guys, as well as summer camp, life groups, and volunteers. |
Jess Gulino | 7th 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 7th grade girls, as well as student leadership and Impact OC. |
Mikayla Mullins | 8th Grade GirlsI’ve grown up attending Saddleback Church ever since I was five years old and feel so lucky to get to work at such a wonderful place that made such a big impact on my life! Junior highers are some of my absolute favorite people because they are easily the funniest, corkiest, and most real! I oversee the weekend program at JHM along with weekend events! A few of my favorite things are tacos, singing loudly in the car, frozen yogurt, and playing games!
*Mikayla oversees 8th grade girl, as well as our life groups, volunteers and Impact OC. |
Grant Frum | Team CoordinatorDuring my middle years of college, I figured out that I wanted to do something with students. I started leading a Life Group with JHM guys and that helped solidify my decision of where and how to serve. I recently graduated from California State University, Fullerton with a degree in Sociology. Being involved with the church and recently volunteering with JHM has grown my love for junior high students. Watching them grow up and be a part of the church is a really cool thing that is an honor to experience. Some of my favorite things are playing sport, being competitive, eating, and going to the beach. If you like any of those, I am your guy.
*Grant serves as team support, along with assisting Katie Edwards. |
Troy Sullivan | InternI’m a native to southern California and I’ve been coming to Saddleback Church my whole life. I started serving in JHM during my senior year of High School and ended up falling in love with youth ministry! There really is nothing better to me in life than seeing students develop a relationship with Jesus. I grew up attending SSM services, so it’s really cool getting to be a part of something that was so impactful on me as a student. Some fun facts about me: I love Mexican food, hammocking, and surfing!
*Troy serves as a one year intern, as well as assisting with summer events. |
Nick Lubeck | InternI’ve grown up almost my entire life in Kansas, and I have been involved in youth ministry with my church there. I felt a call and desire to serve in youth ministry at the end of high school, and I have done everything I can to be involved in youth ministry ever since. I interned with JHM for the summer in 2015, and through that God gave me a passion to work specifically with junior high students in the church! I am extremely excited to be a part of one of the best youth ministry teams in the entire country for the next year! Some fun facts about me: I love sports, I eat most any food, and I love meeting new people!
*Nick serves as a one year intern, as well as assisting with weekend services. |
