Youth Ministries Leadership
Working with you to raise up Christ-centered Disciples
To discern vision and provide direction for Church of God Youth Ministries in the US and Canada.
The Youth Ministry Team (YMT) came into existence to help support local Church of God congregations in their ministry with youth. This team gives much-needed representation for youth ministry across the United States and Canada. Adam Rentas, IYC Director and YMT Director, leads the team.
Adam Rentas – IYC and YMT Director
Adam Rentas
Adam Rentas is the student ministries pastor at First Church of God in St. Joseph, Michigan and the IYC & YMT director. Adam is passionate about introducing students to Jesus and empowering the next generation of Christ-centered disciples. Adam and his wife Rachel were married in 2003 and have four amazing children. He enjoys time with his family, hunting and fishing, and playing softball and pickle ball.
He can be reached at ARentas@chog.org.
Justin Brown
Justin Brown has served in full-time Youth Ministry since 2007, after graduating from Mid-America Christian University with a degree in Youth and Music Ministry. He graduated from Warner University in December of 2019 with a Master of Ministry degree and recently assumed the role of lead pastor at the First Church of God in Monroe City, Indiana. His passion is to disciple and mentor students to leave the safety of Youth Ministry and go into the “grown up” world. Seemingly with each day, his desire to mentor the next generation of youth leaders grows deeper.
He and his wife, Sara, were married in 2006 and have welcomed 2 beautiful girls and a boy to their family. They love getting outside, whether it be impromptu hikes in the mountains wearing flip-flops, or planned summits. Personally, he loves to run, hike, and read. But more than these, he loves to chase his kids around as the “daddy monster” and date his wife.
Contact Justin at jbrown@mcchog.org
Jessica Uitvlugt
Jessica has served as Pastor to Students at Fairfax Community Church in Fairfax, Virginia since 2008. She has a Masters in Theological Studies from Wesley Theological Seminary, and was ordained in 2015. The most energizing part of her job is walking alongside teenagers as they wrestle with making their faith their own. She married Kevin in 2015 and they recently welcomed baby daughter, Ella. When she’s not buying coffee for the nearest teenager she can find, she’s running, reading, or in yoga.
Contact Jessica at jessicauitvlugt@fairfax.cc
David Hughes
David currently serves at Restoration Church in Springfield, Missouri. Previously, he was the Director of Student Ministries at Mountain Park Church in Phoenix, Arizona. David is passionate about discipling the next generation for Christ and helping them understand and pursue their unique role in God’s story. He has been married to Brook since May of 2014 and they are both passionate about traveling and family. David also loves house projects, hiking, and wood working.
Contact David at david@restorationspringfield.com
To build a network of youth leaders in the Church of God, together raising up a new generation of Christ-centered disciples.
The Youth Network Team (YNT) came into existence to help fulfill the vision of the North American Youth Ministries of the Church of God. It consists of qualified, gifted Church of God youth ministry practitioners distributed regionally across the United States and Canada. Adam Rentas, IYC Director and YMT Director, leads the team.
Western States Region
ALASKA–ARIZONA–CALIFORNIA–COLORADO–HAWAII–IDAHO–MONTANA–NEVADA–NEW MEXICO–OREGON–UTAH–WASHINGTON–WESTERN CANADA–WYOMING
Chris Leon
Chris Leon is currently serving in student ministry at Community of Hope Church in Maricopa, Arizona. He was born and raised in Fresno, California. He received his degree in Church Ministries from Patten University. He married his best friend Katie in 2003. They are both proud parents of 3 incredible children. The youngest one is the only girl so their family motto for her is #sidehugstillsheis30. The family has been serving in youth ministry since 2002. Chris is passionate about extending the love of Christ, building authentic, outward relationships with students, so they might experience an inward relationship with Christ. He is also passionate about mentoring. He coaches middle and high school football—a favorite tool to help him connect with young men and their families. The Leon family time usually includes playing or watching sports and something on the grill. Chris’ hobbies include grilling, sports and collecting and listening to vinyl records.
Contact Chris at pcleon225@gmail.com
Northeast Region
CONNECTICUT–DELAWARE–EASTERN CANADA–MAINE–MASSACHUSETTS–MARYLAND–NEW HAMPSHIRE–NEW JERSEY–NEW YORK–PENNSYLVANIA–RHODE ISLAND–VERMONT–VIRGINIA–WASHINGTON D.C.–WEST VIRGINIA
Jessica Uitvlugt
Jessica has served as Pastor to Students at Fairfax Community Church in Fairfax, Virginia since 2008. She has a Masters in Theological Studies from Wesley Theological Seminary, and was ordained in 2015. The most energizing part of her job is walking alongside teenagers as they wrestle with making their faith their own. She married Kevin in 2015 and they recently welcomed baby daughter, Ella. When she’s not buying coffee for the nearest teenager she can find, she’s running, reading, or in yoga.
Contact Jessica at jessicauitvlugt@fairfax.cc
Central States Region
ARKANSAS–IOWA–KANSAS–LOUISIANA–MINNESOTA–MISSOURI–NEBRASKA–NORTH DAKOTA–OKLAHOMA–SOUTH DAKOTA–TEXAS–WISCONSIN
David Hughes
David currently serves at Restoration Church in Springfield, Missouri. Previously, he was the Director of Student Ministries at Mountain Park Church in Phoenix, Arizona. David is passionate about discipling the next generation for Christ and helping them understand and pursue their unique role in God’s story. He has been married to Brook since May of 2014 and they are both passionate about traveling and family. David also loves house projects, hiking, and wood working.
Contact David at david@restorationspringfield.com
Southeast Region
ALABAMA–GEORGIA–FLORIDA–KENTUCKY–MISSISSIPPI–NORTH CAROLINA–SOUTH CAROLINA–TENNESSEE
Mickey Taylor
Mickey has served in student ministry since 1998. He graduated from Warner Southern College in 2001 with a degree in Church Ministries. He grew up in Blacksburg VA, and is a huge Virginia Tech fan. He and Robyn were married in 1999, and they have two beautiful girls. Together, they serve the students at Bayside Church, in Safety Harbor, Florida. He also serves on the Florida Student Ministry team. In his free time, Mickey loves watching college football, hanging out with his family, and going to the beach.
Contact Mickey at mickey@baysidechurch.net
Ben Mills
Ben Mills has worked in youth ministry for 18 years and currently serves as the Next Gen Pastor at Grace Place in Hermitage, TN. He is a 2003 graduate of Warner University with a B.A. in Church Ministry. Ben has worked through two levels of Youth Ministry Coaching Program through The Youth Cartel. In his ministry, Ben encourages relational growth among his teens and parents and often coaches parents through difficult situations with their students. Ben married his wife, Elizabeth, in 2002, and they have two children: Malachi and Hannah. In his free time, Ben enjoys board games, kayaking, watching Pixar movies, and spending time with family.
Contact Ben at pastorskippy@gmail.com
Robbi Hefner
Robbi Hefner is currently the student ministries pastor at Meade Station Church of God in Ashland, KY. He has served in full-time youth ministry since 2010. Before that he worked as a bridge engineer but has since grown increasingly passionate about bridging students to Jesus Christ! Robbi married his forever love, Tara, and they have 2 incredible kids, Carson and McKenzie. In addition to helping students grow in their faith and leadership, he enjoys fishing, hunting, guitar, camping, golf, and team sports.
Contact Robbi at robbihefner3@gmail.com
Great Lakes Region
ILLINOIS–INDIANA–MICHIGAN–OHIO
Tyler Williams
Tyler has been ministering to teenagers in full-time ministry since January 2013. He is currently the youth pastor at BridgeWater Church in Hamilton, Ohio. He has a passion for investing in next-generation leaders and watching teenagers realize God’s unique call on their life. Tyler continually looks for ways to teach, coach, and mentor students in biblical teaching, desiring to help them grow in their relationship with God. His goal is to help them be successful as they follow the call God has placed on their lives.
Before entering full-time ministry, Tyler earned a bachelor’s degree in youth ministry from Anderson University. While attending AU, he had the opportunity to serve in youth ministry under the leadership of Mark Shaner, at East Side Church of God; Joshua Weiger, at Park Place Church of God; and Andy Stephenson, at Church of God Ministries.
Last but not least, Tyler is married to the love of his life, Jen. The couple just welcomed their first child, Liam, in September of 2017. He enjoys playing basketball, ultimate Frisbee, and guitar, as well as reading comic books.
Contact Tyler at tyler@bwch.org
Matt Hale
Matt is the Jr High and Preteen Pastor at County Line Church of God in Auburn, Indiana, and has served his community since September of 2018. He and his wife Bekah both love to serve in the community through local athletics and Youth For Christ in the local school districts. Matt is passionate about seeing students pursue a relationship with Christ.
Originally from the St. Louis area, Matt is a diehard STL Cardinals fan. He enjoys playing and watching sports as well as watching the newest Marvel movie on the big screen.
Matt can be reached via email at mhale@countylinechurch.org..
Nathanael Lyon
Nathanael has been serving as the Student Ministries Pastor at Salem Church of God in Clayton, OH since the spring of 2013. He has an overwhelming passion for investing in the lives of students, parents, and student ministry volunteers. Nathanael is committed to teaching students that they have the capacity in their world right now to make a difference and change their community in the name of Jesus.
Before entering full time ministry, Nathanael received his bachelor’s degrees in Education and History from Anderson University in 2012. He had the privilege of serving at Madison Park Church of God under Gretchen Dedina and Eric Reeder as a volunteer.
Outside of ministry, Nathanael has been married to his amazing wife, Kimmi, since 2013. The couple have two sons, Ezra and Asher. He loves movies, music, Seattle sports (Go Hawks!), and playing basketball, soccer, and softball (even if he doesn’t play them well).
Contact Nathanael at n.lyon@salemchurch.org
Abbie Craig
Abbie Craig currently serves as the Pastor of Youth Ministry at Church at the Crossing in Indianapolis, Indiana. Abbie met her husband, Brock, at church camp in 4th grade, and they were married on the same grounds where they first fell in love with the Lord and one another. The couple recently welcomed their first child, a son named Roman. Abbie is drawn to seeking and inviting others into sacred spaces, especially those found hiding unexpectedly in the midst of everyday life. She spent time studying and serving in Rome, craves traveling, and thinks Indy is the most underrated city in the world. She loves a good cup of coffee, books that make her think, conversations that matter, and any day spent with family. Abbie can be reached at acraig@golove.org.
