We are blessed to have a dedicated team of staff passionate
about serving local youth.
about serving local youth.
For general inquiries, please call our main office at (209) 522-9568
For specific questions, please see the staff contact info below
For specific questions, please see the staff contact info below
"I was born and raised in the greater Modesto area. After a life-changing experience at Acquire The Fire, God tugged on my heart to serve Him. At Modesto High School, I led the Bible Club my junior and senior year teaching Scripture, coordinating club activities, and conducting service projects. Upon graduation in 2003 I began mentoring and discipling West Modesto youth that shaped my passion and determination for ministering to the most vulnerable youth. In 2006 I received my degree in Business Administration/Human Resources. Shortly after marrying my amazing wife in 2008, I became the Director of Mentoring and leading Point Break. In 2010, I graduated with my Master’s in Youth Ministry Leadership from Huntington University. Following a series of conversations and experiences, God made it clear He was calling me to become the Executive Director starting July 1, 2019. I’m driven to empower leaders to impact kids for Jesus. My personal passion is to light up the room and leave people filled with hope. While I strive to keep maturing, I will always be the 'goofball' that keeps me connected with kids. I love sports, working out, time with family, coffee, and food."
"When I started as a MFT Trainee with Family Concern Counseling in 2012 during my graduate practicum course at Simpson University, I was excited and nervous to see how the next chapter would unfold. I fell in love with the heart of Family Concern Counseling and its desire to serve our community. Being from the Central Valley and a Christ-follower from an early age, I was excited to see these two passions of mine intertwine. Since that time, I have worked in and alongside other ministries while receiving my License in Marriage and Family Therapy. I currently see clients and serve as FCC’s School Services Coordinator. I am deeply passionate about bringing healing to our community and treating issues that accompany the following: anxiety, trauma, human trafficking, children/teen developmental issues and cultural issues. I love to spend time with those closest to me, backpacking, learning, music, coffee and going on adventures."
"I joined YFC in 2013 as a volunteer in the Juvenile Justice Ministry, working with incarcerated youth in both group and individual settings. While it was meant to be a temporary placement to fulfill a school internship, God had other plans. The incredible privilege of hearing the stories and connecting with the youth in juvenile hall captured my heart, leading me to continue the work for 7 years. In 2017, I joined the Family Concern Counseling team and have since been involved in providing mental health services at multiple school sites, and counseling for youth, adults, and families at our office location. In 2019, I also joined the Restorative Practices team, providing training and support for teachers and staff at a local school district. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Human Services, and a Master of Science in Counseling from the University of Phoenix."
"My first encounter with YFC was at the annual auction in 2013. I became part of the team three amazing years later, where I’ve been supporting the Family Concern Counseling Team. All of my life I’ve had a special connection with God, but through YFC I’ve found a way to strengthen my bond with the Lord while simultaneously strengthening the community around me. With the help of my loving husband of 20 plus years and four beautiful children, I’ve had the opportunity to volunteer at countless youth centers, sporting events, Boyscouts, and catechism. Everyday I look forward to grabbing my coffee and bringing faith to the families around me."
"I was born and raised in Manteca CA for most of my life (209!), I am 25 years old. I lived in Mexico for about 3 ½ years and also spent a few throughout the country while serving in the U.S Army. I’ve been a follower/believer of Jesus Christ since December of 2019. I did not have the best upbringing, but I know I also did not have the worst. Throughout my life (before Christ) I had a lot of bad/crazy experiences that led to bad decision, most by choice. Because of this I can relate to a lot of the kids we encounter at YFC. I began to volunteer with the JJM side of YFC in November of 2022 and within the first few days God confirmed it was what he had been preparing me for and one of the callings he has placed on my life. I have a passion to serve others and my King by introducing Christ to everyone. There's a special place in my heart to reach broken, lost, and confused youth and young adults. I was one of them before, but Jesus showed up at the perfect moment and having the answer to life now, I believe it is my duty to share it with the world. I am blessed to be on staff with YFC starting in April of 2023 and I look forward to serving anyone God places on my path with humility, grace and love. Things I enjoy doing are reading, working out, spending time with family and listening to music"
"Raised in the little town of Empire, I became quite the angry troublemaker after my parents’ divorce when I was 14 years old. Getting kicked out of class and spending time in detention was a common occurrence. Fortunately, I had a praying grandmother and an uncle who would talk with me about the things of God. For years, I continued in this miserable, rebellious state until I surrendered my life to God while working alone in a pistachio orchard at the age of 24. Soon after, I purchased a Bible at a local bookstore and joined a church in Modesto and was baptized. Over the next few years, I grew in my faith and developed a love for evangelism and working with troubled youth. I looked for opportunities to serve God and began volunteering and mentoring youth at the Modesto Gospel Mission’s Youth Center. Years later, an opportunity came up to help teach Bible lessons to elementary students with Child Evangelism Fellowship and their Good News Clubs afterschool program. Now, I am very fortunate to help in the position of site lead at the Stanislaus County Juvenile Hall where we hold chapel services and Bible studies every week. I love working with the youth, sharing the Gospel with them, spending time in God’s Word, hearing their stories, building relationships, and serving with the other volunteers."
I was born and raised in the Central Valley, primarily the Modesto area. I was blessed to be born into a God-fearing family that continues to follow God to this day. I grew up in the church, but I didn’t really understand what a relationship with Christ really looked like until the pandemic. The pandemic caused me to reshape my mindsets and led me to heal and grow in various areas through the empowerment of the Gospel. Ever since then I continued to not only learn and grow in my faith but also share my faith with others I come in contact with. When I was approached about this internship opportunity I was elated. I have been apart of one of the campus life sites when I was still in high school. Once I graduated I was seeking to understand where I could grow and how I could learn, more specifically in the non-profit space to make a difference within my community. I was happy to take this opportunity because I believe that I can do just that here at YFC. By learning from prominent people who are in the non-profit space and are faith based, which means I also get to dive into ministry. I am excited to see where time will take me here at YFC.
Hey there! My journey with Youth for Christ started when I was a youth intern. I had the chance to train alongside young adult leaders, learning how to connect with students on campus, mentor them, and collaborate on meaningful projects. It was such a cool experience that stuck with me. Fast forward a few years, and I found myself back at YFC while looking for a job that aligned with my passion for counseling. I couldn’t have asked for a better fit working here was truly an answered prayer. I’ve been happily married for two years (and working on convincing my husband that we really need a puppy). When I’m not at work, you’ll find me hanging out with family, friends, and or a good book. Excited to be here and to contribute to the awesome work we’re doing! |
"I have been with YFC since 2011 and currently serve as a Chaplain and the Director of Operations. I have over 25 years of administrative and management experience. My family moved to the Central Valley in 1983 and I'm a graduate of Beyer High School. My husband, Gary, and I have been married since 1994, and have two amazing boys. Our oldest, Matthew graduated high school in 2016 and is currently a Journeyman Meat Cutter with SaveMart (and is a published author /artist in his spare time!). Our youngest, Jacob graduated in 2021 and currently is a student at Northern Arizona University Honors College pursuing a Data Science degree. I truly love being the 'mom' of the office and having the opportunity to speak God’s truth and life into the kids that come to the office."
"I’ve been privileged to grow up in a family where the love of Jesus and love of neighbors was modeled and incorporated daily into my life, but it wasn’t until 2007 when I encountered Tapestry (City Life) as a volunteer that I realized how amazing teenagers who go through hard things truly are. Under the leadership of some amazing people, I started to learn how to listen well to those that are hurting, and through several turns in my education and experience, realized I wanted to help people work through challenges that keep them stuck from dreaming a about what their life could be. I have a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree in Psychology, and am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I’ve been the Director of Family Concern Counseling since 2015, continuing the ministry and work of Marty Villa, who started FCC over 20 years ago."
"I was blessed to grow up in a wonderful Christian home and accepted Christ at an early age. But for me, being a teen was difficult and it wasn’t until my early 20’s at a Hume Lake Conference that I made the decision to truly follow Christ. For this reason, I have always had a heart for teenagers. I have now been married for about 30 years and have three kids, plus four grandchildren! As bookkeeper since 2015, I try to keep us financially in order, with all accounts and staff paid. I truly love working here and seeing the difference we make in so many teens lives through our various ministries."
"Isaiah Herrera was born and raised in the Central Valley, married, and takes pride in being a dog dad. He has a passion for being a bridge for people in his communities. He’s a San Francisco Giants and 49ers fanatic. Isaiah loves coffee and enjoys golf from time to time. Isaiah came to Christ at 15 years old, faced many challenges, such as social and economic living situations, was a high school dropout, and has always had a burning passion for serving young people. He has over ten years of youth experience and currently serves as one of our Directors here at Youth for Christ. But he has faithfully been serving YFC for over 9 years!"
"I came across Youth for Christ as I was looking for an organization to complete my internship. I began my internship as a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee through Family Concern Counseling in 2019 and have been with YFC ever since. My main role is being Project Connect 209’s Coordinator. This program entails teaching youth what healthy relationships look like and how to make smarter life decisions. I also help with our mentoring program, JJM Aftercare, and City Life. Through my work, I have grown relationships with youth and have been able to provide guidance. I love the values behind YFC and the impact of our stories. During my free time, I enjoy traveling, roller skating, and spending time with my loved ones."
"My life turned upside down after my parents divorced when I was 13 years old. My home life and mind became a very toxic place. I was an angry teen that turned into a depressed young adult. Searching for love, support, and an escape from home, I fell into a relationship with a man that lasted 5 years. Not knowing what a healthy relationship was, I allowed myself to go though mental and physical abuse during those 5 years. The harder my life became, the more I started thinking about the phrase, “Jesus saves.” I did not grow up in a Christian household, but I noticed the hope and faith that other Christians I knew had. At my lowest point in my life, fearing my life, I surrendered my whole being to Jesus. I asked him to save me, and to change my life. That night was the beginning of growing a relationship with Jesus and truly knowing him, verses just believing in a higher power in the sky. Shortly after this, I got connected to an amazing church, where I got baptized and experienced healing. God began to open doors for me. I learned about Youth for Christ through one of my pastors, and quickly began volunteering at City Life in South Modesto. I volunteered for 8 months, until getting blessed with a full time position to be the City Life Coordinator. My hope is to find teens who are broken, abused, and lost, like I was, and to show them help, support, direction, and love, sooner than later. I also want to tell youth about the love of Jesus, and that Jesus really does save. Today, I am thankful for many things. I am thankful for Jesus and His grace. I am thankful for my job at Youth for Christ, and I am thankful that God turned all my pain into a purpose."
"Growing up, I didn’t have the best school life or the best relationship with God. Working with YFC has allowed me to be the positive male role model I didn’t have. I accepted Jesus as Lord in the 7th grade at a church summer camp and I’ve been living for him ever since. Right out of High school, I entered my local church’s internship, pursuing my calling of Youth Ministry! In the last quarter of my internship, I was blessed with the opportunity to be on mission in France for three months! In that time, I wrestled with God on what I was supposed to do with my life. To be a missionary or to be a Youth Pastor. And just a few short months later, I took this position at YFC. Working with Campus Life gives me both things I wanted: being able to reach lost kids and being able to pour into, and shepherd kids who do know the Lord!"
"I was adopted when I was 2 from India. I grew up in a very loving Christian home. I was a “ high chair “ conversion and didn’t ever know what it was like not being a Christian. In high school is where I began to take my relationship with Christ seriously, not as my parent’s relationship but as my own. After graduating high school, I jumped right into the workforce. I have worked over 10 years as an electrician, hvac service technician, and general contracting. While these trades were very fulfilling, there’s always been something in me that has wanted a change of career. In late 2023, I got laid off from my job, while this was something new for me, I sensed that this was the time to make a change of direction. I had heard about YFC a few years early and had wanted to volunteer with JJM but the Lord didn’t open the door for me YET. A few weeks after getting laid off, I heard about YFC hiring, I started volunteering with JJM, and absolutely fell in love with it. I sensed a call from the Lord that this was what He was calling me into! And in early 2024, I was hired to work with JJM and City Life. I am excited to enter this season with Youth for Christ and to see where the Lord takes me!"
I was born and raised here in California and grew up in a tiny town called Firebaugh. Due to severe bullying in school, we moved to Modesto in 2005. I understand what it’s like being a youth who feels unheard and unsafe in an environment where that should not be the case. YFC has allowed me the opportunity to share my experiences with youth and become the support they need as well as show them the love of Jesus. The best part is that I get to do it in the place where I needed it most, on campuses! I currently serve as a worship leader at my local church with a focus on Youth worship, building the next generation of worshipers who love Jesus and want to worship Him with all their hearts. It wasn’t always like this; I ran from ministry for many years because I always felt like I wasn’t ready for it. When I finally understood that God’s plan for my life was unavoidable, I gave it all to Him and surrendered myself to His will. I now walk in obedience and that obedience has shown me the wonders of what He can do. That ultimately led me to YFC. I’m excited to see Gods plan unfold in the lives of the youth, my coworkers and myself!
I was born and raised in the bay area but have some family history here in Modesto that has made it a joy to settle here. My story with ministry began at a conference in 2016 when God lit a passion for Youth Ministry in my heart. From that moment forward God has been shaping and guiding my call into Youth Ministry. First God led me to Azusa Pacific University where I graduated in 2022 with a BA in Youth and Family Ministry. God continued to build my experience in Youth Ministry through internships and jobs with a few churches in the greater Modesto area. Finally, God opened the door to Youth For Christ where I am excited to serve the youth across Stanislaus County. My passion to bring life, a sense of belonging, and an opportunity to meet Jesus to students continues to grow with each new opportunity God places before me. |
