Brian Bozarth

Brian leads the youth praise band.  Each week he can be found setting up for youth worship, cleaning up, leading worship and spending time with the youth.  Brian takes seriously his commitment to help the youth band lead a meaningful worship each week.

Brian’s ministry is helping the youth lead worship.  He does not lead the band, but leads the youth to make decisions and be the best they can be.    The effect of Brian’s ministry can be seen at every church activity.  He is always surrounded by the youth!  Brian has been serving as a youth leader for more than seven years!                    College students return to the church each break, to see Brian and the Bozarth family. 

What do the youth say about Brian?  

“Brian relates to teens well.  He is easy going and doesn’t always try to take charge of the band.  He is a lot of fun and still allows us to make decisions and lead worship.  Brian always works God into what we are doing.  It is clear he loves God and loves us!”

“ I appreciate the fact that Brian always talked to me like an adult.  Brian has always been a constant in our church.  He was someone I knew I could talk to when I was in high school, and as a college student, I know Brian will be there to joke around, help me see things thru God’s eyes or just be someone I can talk to.  I am so thankful Brian is in youth ministry!” 

Phil Handwerk

Phil teaches Senior High Sunday School.  Each week, he works hard to make reading the Bible fun and exciting. 

 Whether they are performing skits, sharing stories of the week, reading the
Bible or praying together, the group has a great time.

Phil’s passion to reach out to teens and make the Bible real to them can be seen every time he is around the youth!

What do the youth say about Phil?  

“Dr. Phil makes Sunday School fun!  We laugh a lot every week.  I can actually remember the Bible stories we talk about every week!” 

“I was in the first class Phil ever taught.  I was nervous, because I didn’t think he could lead our crazy group by himself.  Once I got to know him, I realized he is a great teacher.  I think our group has helped him become a great teacher and he has helped us see the Bible in a new way.  We love Dr Phil!” 
 

Lisa Hammelman

Lisa leads the Middle School small group and helps with pizza parenting and baking great snacks for Wednesdays.  Lisa spends time at the church every Wednesday, leading lessons for the 6th and 7th graders with John Ortolf.

This is Lisa’s first year working with the youth group and her daughters. She has been involved with God Squad for a number of years. She has worked with many of the youth since they were third grade.

Lisa is always looking for ways to make the lessons on Wednesday evenings more interesting and fun for the 6th and 7th graders. She makes it a point to get everyone involved and to know everyone’s name.

What do the youth say about Lisa?  
“Mrs. Hammelman is great. She always has something full of chocolate baked for us each week and great things like that. I love coming in and seeing what she has made for us this week!”

“ Every Wednesday we play a fun game and learn something cool about the Bible. Mrs. Hammelman always makes things un-boring and she always brings us great carrots and dip for us !”

John Ortolf

John leads the Middle School small group.  John is at the church every Wednesday, leading lessons for the 6th and 7th graders. 

John first became a youth leader to be involved in his daughter’s life.  In the process, he has become involved in all of the student’s lives.  During downtime on Wednesdays and Sundays, you can find John talking to the youth around him.  He makes it his mission to reach out to all of the youth.

John has a clear passion to give students an opportunity to feel welcomed and loved and learn about Christ.  His fire for youth ministry can be seen in all he does within the church leadership.

What do the youth say about John?  
“Mr. Ortolf is a lot of fun!  He lets us play games on Wednesday nights!  He understands that sitting and listening to a lesson is boring.  Our small group on Wednesdays is a lot of fun!  I look forward to it every week!”

“ I didn’t know Mr. Ortolf before he started working with the youth.  I saw him in church, but he seemed to be a someone that wouldn’t like the craziness of the youth.  But, after Relay for life, I have gotten to know him, I am so thankful that he is a youth leader!  He is a lot of fun and really funny!  He has a special place in his heart for Relay for Life and youth.  We couldn’t be the group we are, without Mr. Ortolf.”