Andrew Zirschky

Andrew holds an M.Div. and a Ph.D. in Practical Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary. He oversees the development of our academic program and also teaches many of our youth ministry courses offered through Memphis Theological Seminary. He
has 20 years of ministry experience as a youth and college minister at churches in Idaho, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. He has also been named a Timothy Scholar by the United Methodist Foundation for Evangelism based upon his research emphasis in youth and young adult ministry.

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Kate Unruh

Kate holds an M.Div and M.A. in youth ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary, where she is also a Doctoral Candidate in practical theology.  Kate co-directs the Innovation Grant and teaches education and formation at Memphis Theological Seminary. Her research interests include youth ministry, confirmation, and the intersection of youth, faith, and culture. Kate is married to Kyle, an architect. When they are not chasing around their two young children, they like to travel, cook, and watch KU basketball.

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Lindsay Brooks

Lindsay holds a B.A. in Secondary Education from Clemson University and a Masters in Religion from Memphis Theological Seminary through CYMT.  She served in full time youth ministry for 12 years before joining the CYMT staff to manage our major events.  She loves to cheer on the Clemson Tigers, run outside, drink coffee, and spend time with her family.

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Dea Wathen

Dea Wathen is the Recruiting Coordinator at CYMT. She received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Kentucky Wesleyan College and then went on to graduate with a Master of Arts in Youth Ministry from Memphis Theological Seminary through CYMT. Prior to coming on board with CYMT, she worked as a Youth Minister in Fayetteville, TN as part of CYMT’s Graduate Residency. Shelives in Louisville, KY with her husband David and son Davis. Dea loves running, talking about life, and exploring coffee shops. She would love to connect with you to help promote the mission of CYMT!

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Tiffany Malone

Tiffany is an alumni of the Center for Youth Ministry Training. She graduated from the Northeast Nazarene University and Memphis Theological Seminary. She is the youth minister at Hope UMC in Denver, Colorado.

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Chad Kennington

Chad Kennington has been in youth ministry for 12 years. He is from Tuscumbia, Alabama where he serves at Tuscumbia First United Methodist Church. He began in youth ministry while working to received his bachelors in Music and Education at The University of North Alabama. He was licensed as a pastor in the United Methodist Church and continued on to receive his Master of Arts in Youth Ministry with CYMT. He is passionate about students and music, and he loves spending time with his wife, Grace, and their son, Jack.

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Jae Gottman

Jae Gottman is an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He earned his Masters of Divinity from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, and his B.A. in Biology from Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. He has served two congregations in his 20 years of ministry. He served as Senior Minister at Century Christian Church in Owensboro, KY, and then as Lead Minister at First Christian Church in Paducah, KY.  J. is married and has two children in high school – one a senior and the other a freshman.  He enjoys traveling, good food, movies, and thriller novels.

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Dee Wells

Dee Moore Wells is a third generation Disciple minister and has spent many years at Bethany Hills as a counselor or director of camps. She earned her Masters of Divinity from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn. and is serving as Senior Minister at First Christian Church in Livingston, Tenn. She is married to Al Wells, and they live together on a 10 acre mountainside with dogs, cats, a brood of chickens and a host of goats. She has two children, David and Dana, and two grandchildren, Lizzy and Clay. Dee enjoys camping, boating, golfing, backpacking, entertaining friends, vegetable gardening, watching good movies, and reading.

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J Nelson

J Nelson has been the Director of Youth Ministries at Christ United Methodist Church in Jackson, Mississippi since August 2013.  J initially began working in youth ministry while in college at Mississippi State University, continued throughout his time studying at Wesley Biblical Seminary and is approaching nearly 18 years in the field all directly associated with the local church. Specific to youth ministry, J has an affinity for Middle School ministry, the creative process and how it can shape what we communicate, as well as one-on-one discipleship opportunities.  J lives in Madison, Mississippi with his wife, Wesley, and their three children.

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Robert Mercer

Robert Mercer is the Family Formation Pastor at Asbury United Methodist Church in Birmingham Alabama.  Robert works with the youth and children staff and leads the confirmation program.  He began working with students in college where he was also known as “Southpaw” the Mascot of the University of South Alabama. Robert has over twenty years experience working with students and families. He was ordained in the United Methodist Church and did his seminary work at Memphis Theological Seminary. Robert is married to Dr. Tracey Mercer and they have two children, Drew and Hannah.

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Lisa Long

Lisa Long is the Middle School Pastor at Belmont Church in Nashville where she has served Belmont’s Mosaic Youth for nearly six years. She has walked with the group through two youth pastor transitions; during the last transition she served as Interim Youth Pastor for a little over a year. Lisa earned a Doctor of Divinity from Tabernacle Bible College & Seminary where she is pursuing her Ph.D. She has 20 years of experience as an ordained minister. Teaching, training, and shaping youth and young adults is her passion. She enjoys life with her husband, Tom, who is a Worship Director. Her daughter, Bethany, is in college at Belmont University. Her son, Isaiah, graduates from high school this year.

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Kris Lott

Kris Lott was in the first graduating class of CYMT and has served as the Director of Youth Ministry at Calvary United Methodist Church since 2004. Kris graduated from the University of Tennessee with a B.A. in history. He is currently finishing his Masters in Marriage and Family Counseling from Trevecca Nazarene University. Kris is married to Allison and has three daughters, Jenny, Claire, and Molly. When not in school or working, Kris enjoys coaching his daughters’ different teams, playing sports, and relaxing at the lake.

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Jim Hinkle

Jim is a youth minister at Sycamore View Church of Christ, Memphis, TN. He’s been in full-time youth ministry for 20 years and has been serving in Memphis since 2005. Jim has had the opportunity to adjunct at several universities and seminaries, and he’s passionate about connecting the mind and heart in ministry. Jim lives intentionally in an inner city neighborhood in the heart of Memphis with his wife, Stacy, and their five children.

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Jerrod Gunter

Jerrod Gunter currently serves as the Youth Pastor at New Direction Christian Church in Memphis, Tenn. Prior to joining New Direction, Jerrod worked for the Urban Youth Initiative serving as an Educational Outreach Specialist. For six years, Jerrod also worked at Youth Villages, working as a Teacher-Counselor, Senior Supervisor, Senior Program Manager, and a Transitional Living Senior Specialist. The Lakeland, Fla., native earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology in 2001 from Tusculum College. He has a Masters of Marriage and Family Therapy in 2008 from Capella University in Minneapolis, Minn. He is married to Lakeicha, and they have three children, Dezmon, Ariana, and Jalen.

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Joanna Cummings

Joanna Cummings is the Minister of Children and Spiritual Formation at Forest Hills United Methodist Church in Brentwood, TN where she has served since 2009. Previously, Joanna has worked in youth ministry, serving churches in middle TN as well as middle school camp ministries. Joanna is an alumnae of CYMT with a Master’s degree in Religion from Memphis Theological Seminary. Additionally, Joanna is a curriculum writer and enjoys resourcing others in ministry and in faith. She is passionate about nurturing the spirituality of children, their families and bringing generations together in the faith community. Joanna is married to Chris, and they have a dog named Shalom. You can usually find them creating up-cycled art and doing DIY projects around the home.

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Toby Chastain

Toby is an alumni of the Center for Youth Ministry Training. He graduated from the Huntingdon College and Memphis Theological Seminary. He is the youth minister at FUMC Hartselle, Alabama.

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Trey Carey

Trey is the Pastor of Youth and College Ministries at First United Methodist Church in Murfreesboro, Tenn. He has a Masters of Divinity from Asbury Seminary and is currently finishing up a Doctorate of Ministry from Fuller Seminary in Youth, Family, and Culture. He is an ordained Deacon in the United Methodist Church and has been in full-time youth and family ministry for over 15 years. Trey is married to Abbey and they have two kids, Lilly Broox and William. He is also a lover of music and boasts of being able to sing and play the guitar…as well as at least three songs on the piano (unfortunately, all of them are from the Frozen soundtrack). Trey is passionate about encouraging and equipping people of all ages to grow in their relationships with Christ and others.

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Joseph Patty

Joseph serves CYMT as both a coach and formation group leader, and he is passionate about equipping highly influential people to have an impact for the Kingdom in their own context. Joseph is the Associate Director of Student Ministry at St. Luke’s UMC in Houston. He also serves as a Vocation and Formation Leader for Fuller Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Courtney, serve as Community Life Architects together in their community. They have two children, Shiloh (age 4) and Micah (age 3). If Joseph could be anywhere, it would be backpacking in the southern mountains of Colorado.

David Chambers

David lives in Austin Texas where he has served as the Director of Youth Ministries at Tarrytown United Methodist Church since 2006. “My joy is helping others discover their God given gifts and talents and helping them use those unique qualities as their ministry in better connecting the world through God’s love.” David is excited and honored to be working with CYMT as an opportunity to teach and learn from the future leaders of the church.

Rachel Toomire

Rachael Toomire currently lives in Bandera, Texas with her husband Kyle, who is a United Methodist Pastor. They have two boys, Elias and Micah. Most weekends their family can be found at a sporting event. Her boys are great at keeping her active. She became a Christian in college and was immediately called into youth ministry. She served in small church youth ministry settings for over 7 years. Later Rachael served at the Texas Wesely in Austin doing college ministry for 11 years. She is passionate about the CYMT model because of the support that is given to new youth ministers. She has wanted to be a part of the CYMT ministry for years and now celebrates that everything has aligned to make that possible.

Valerie Vogt

Valerie is an Associate Pastor at Travis Park United Methodist Church in San Antonio, TX. While Valerie grew up in the Bay Area of California and attended college at The University of California, Davis, she loves calling Texas home. Valerie and her husband, also an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church, met at Duke Divinity School and moved to Austin soon after they were married. Valerie has served as a Youth Director, Director of Missions, and Associate Pastor with four congregations in Central Texas. Her passion is helping people to grow in their love for God, discern their gifts, and use their resources to partner with and bless others. Valerie and Eric spend a lot of time chasing their two young boys. She loves running, reading, cooking and enjoying good food, and watching t.v. and movies that tell great stories. 

Linda O-Donnell

My name is Linda O’Donnell and I am the Director of Youth Ministries at Faith United Methodist Church in Richmond Texas. I have been in my current position since 2005 and have a deep passion serving the Lord by loving His youth. I have a son Doug who is married to Lianne with two children, Evelyn and Davis and they live in Fulshear. My daughter Mandy is in ministry in College Station. I am ever thankful that God has never given up on me, used me in ways I could never have imagined and guides me home to Him always.

Whitney Waller-Cole

Whitney Waller-Cole currently serves as the Minister of Faith Development and Mission at Creekwood Christian Church, where she has served for over four years. As a pastor, Whitney loves to serve, teach, and empower other faithful Christians to work through and for God’s love, justice, and peace. Whitney is passionate about learning to be a better ally and advocate for dear ones living life in the margins; laughing with friends and loved ones; living authentically and attuned to God’s will and work; and finding the perfect oatmeal chocolate chip cookie recipe.

Kit Tomlison

Rev. Kit Tomlison is a youth pastor at Lutie Watkins Memorial United Methodist Church. Prior to his current position he created and served a skateboard ministry in San Antonio, TX for 8 years. He has served in youth ministry professionally and in volunteer roles for the past 19 years. Kit graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Texas Tech University and a Master of Arts in Youth ministry from Asbury Theological Seminary. His wife is Rev. Leslie Tomlison and he has two children. Fun Fact: Kit doesn’t like Chocolate.

Adam Thorton

Adam is the Senior Pastor at Dripping Springs United Methodist Church, in Dripping Springs, TX, and is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church.  He is a youth ministry veteran of 18 years and continues to be very passionate about youth ministry at the local church level.  Adam holds a MTh from Austin Graduate School of Theology, and a MDiv from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. He and his wife Melanie have two kids (Lauren and Michael) who are currently in college. Adam enjoys teaching scripture and serving with the wonderful people at DSUMC.

Jenny Monahan

Jenny Monahan is the founding and acting Executive Director of UM ARMY SWTX/Río Texas where she has served since 2003. Jenny is passionate about sharing the Greatest Commandment and leads/mentors others so that they can truly have success in living a life of faith. Jenny has close to 30 years professional experience in youth ministry and has served United Methodist Churches in Wimberley, New Braunfels and League City, Texas. Jenny holds a degree from Texas State University with an emphasis in secondary education.  Jenny and her family live in Wimberley, Texas where she and husband Thomas have raised their sons, Blake and Brazos.

Randy Knighten

Randy Knighten has worked in youth and urban ministry in Louisiana, Tennessee, and Texas since 2000. He currently serves as youth minister at Covenant UMC in Austin, Texas. Randy and his wonderful wife, Maya, have two amazing sons. Randy is also completing a master’s degree at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

Abby Johnson

Abby was the Director of Student Ministries at Arborlawn UMC in Fort Worth, TX from 2002 – 2016 and is now focusing on Adult Discipleship. Prior to coming to Arborlawn she graduated with a degree in Social Work from TCU, worked at Glen Lake Camp and Retreat Center, and volunteered with the Methodist Children’s Home. Combined that’s 20 years working with teens and their families! She loves building relationships with whole families and creating opportunities and events where participants have the chance to meet God on multiple levels. She lives in Fort Worth with her husband Mike, and 3 year old son, Trent.  When not working, they spend time traveling to State Parks in their camper, connecting with each other and to God.

Joel Griffin

Joel has worked with youth and families for 20 years through the United Methodist Church all over Texas. He is currently the youth pastor at Fredericksburg UMC in Fredericksburg, Texas. He is married to Rene and has three girls, Reese, 13, Robbie Jane, 12, and Ryan, 9. Joel enjoys doing anything outdoors, college football, going to baseball games, movies and hanging out with family.

Eddie Erwin

Eddie Erwin has been in youth ministry for over 20 years.  He started as an intern while in college at the University of Oklahoma, spent 11 years in the local church youth ministry before stepping into his current role as Director of Youth & Young Adults for the Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church.  He lives with his wife, Emily, and their three children, Quint, Kate, & Corbin James in Klein, Texas.

Russ Boyd

 A native of Radford, Virginia, Russ earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Furman University as a Religion and Political Science in  2000. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Brite Divinity School in 2003, and was ordained by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) after graduation. During his seminary years, Russ served as Youth Minister at Creekwood Christian Church in Flower Mound, Texas. After graduation and ordination, he accepted a call to serve as Associate Minister at Collierville Christian Church near Memphis, TN. In 2007, Russ was called as Associate Minister for Youth at University Christian Church of Fort Worth where he served for nearly 10 years. Russ currently serves as a Deputy Command Chaplain in the Army Reserve. Outside of church, Russ enjoys traveling and finding great restaurants , dabbling in home improvement projects, and attempting DIY endeavors. Russ’ wife, Sarah, is also a lifelong Disciple and TCU alumna. They have four children.