our staff
Name: Brian Lloyd
Nickname: Nomar
E-mail: brianlloyd@Bigvalley.net
Who you minister to? Friends that I have made in my college classes and the new teens in the youth group.
If I were rich I would? I would move to Hawaii and help feed the needy there, Hee! Hee!
In my spare time I like to? Exercise and spend time with my family and friends.
Favorite food? Mac and cheese.
Favorite book of the bible or favorite verse? John 3:16
Favorite book? Psalms
Something you dont know about me is... I love the smell of skunks.
Why you like working with this youth ministry?! I love teaching them about God and seeing them getting to know new friends in church.
Name: Mike Van De Griend
E-mail:mikevdg@bigvalley.net
Who you minister to? My family and anyone who needs to hear about Jesus
If I were rich I would? Buy an In-n-out franchise
In my spare time I like to? Listen to music, read the Word, read about cows, play almost any sport
Favorite food? Double-double animal style
Favorite book of the bible or favorite verse? Ecclesiates, Philippians 4:13
Something you dont know about me is... I once dressed up like a girl, performed a song and dance routine competitively (won first place), and ended under the care of a surgeons knife
Why you like working with this youth ministry?! I love the energy/passion of young people and I love to see people getting excited about ministry!! I pray everyone will be able to experience the excitement of serving God and demonstrating Christ's love (and the gospel) to family or strangers.
Name: Melissa Benedict
Nickname: Missy
E-mail: Missybenedict@yahoo.com
Who you minister to? minister to high school girls
If I were rich I would? take more vacations and buy lots of people nice gifts.
In my spare time I like to? scrap book, eat good food and sleep.
My new favorite foods are? cabbage salad and almond biscotti.
Something you don't know about me is? that I really am a home body and I don't like movies.
I like working in youth ministry because? I want to speak God's truth into the girls lives. I want to be someone they can trust and talk to. I just have fun with them!
Name: Anthony Benedict
Nickname: Tone b.
E-mail: pastortone@yahoo.com
Who you minister to? All the youth at Los Banos EFC and some adults.
If I were rich I would? Quit my job and do it for free! Go on a lot of missions trips and get some rockin Christian bands for our Lock- in’s! Not to mentions lots of cool toys for the youth ministry!
In my spare time I like to? Yeah right! Um watch Lost, Go on Ebay, play video games, let my kids jump on me till I get hurt (fishing & golfing are pretty fun too).
My favorite food is? Sausage Pizza from Giacchinos! (Belwood IL), Chicken crispers from Chili’s. Egg Rolls from China Chef (Westmont IL).
Something you don’t know about me is? I was a really good dancer, I won contests and I even got into clubs for free to get people dancing!
I like working in youth ministry because? Of the influence a Christian man had on me when I was younger and because I wish I would have had someone to teach me about God when I was a teen, I might not have done so many stupid things and sins. Also, because I never grew up : )
Name:Wesley Townsley
Nickname: Weside
Email: wesleytownsley311@hotmail.com
Who you minister to? High School boys
If I were rich I would? Build our new church
In my spare time I like to? Read, play sports, hang out with people I love
Favorite food? Steak (I’m easy)
Favorite book of the bible or favorite verse? Hebrews, and Hebrews 4:12
Something you don’t know about me is? Umm I'm pretty much an open book, I
don't have secrets. ; )
Why you like working with this youth ministry!? I'm serving God and the church, and getting to use my gifts to do it. I enjoy the relationships.
Name: Jenny Campos
Nickname: JC
E-mail: jcampos72577@yahoo.com
Area of Ministry: Junior High Girls
If I were rich I wouldn’t work at a regular job anymore. Instead I’d get involved in global ministry projects and service clubs, and probably buy more clothes.
In my spare time I like to take walks, hike, go out to eat, play with kids, travel and have meaningful conversations with people.
My favorite foods are lasagna and burritos, but not together.
My favorite book of the Bible is Psalms because they always help me re-focus on God’s character.
Something you don’t know about me is that I don’t like my toothpaste tube scrunched up.
I like working in this youth ministry because the youth are energetic, enthusiastic and teachable. They motivate me to keep going when I feel like being lazy. I am eternally grateful for the people that told me about Jesus when I was a teenager and I want to help others find the unconditional love and acceptance, and direction Jesus has to offer through the body of Christ.