Meet our Jacksonville Area Directors

Hi, my name is Sam, and I am the Urban/Multicultural Area Director for Young Life Jacksonville. I've been on staff for 5 1/2 years. Often referred to as the "old guy" by my cohorts in the office, I guess I have to confess, seeing that I've been around for awhile and have done youth ministry for over 25 years (I know, I don't look that old).

Raised here in Jacksonville (though born in Georgia), I've had the opportunity to grow deep roots in the community and know my way around a bit. Prior to being on staff with Young Life, I've worked in the corporate and educational arena as an insurance advisor, account executive and school dean. Having become a Christian at the age of 18, I've been plugged into some aspect of ministry for a few years; with the majority of time committed to youth ministry.

Next to the Lord, my greatest delight in life is my family that consist of my wife of 28 years, Valerie, daughters, (all grown up now....one even married), Sherell and Valisa, and my beautiful grand kids....yes, I said grand kids, Serenity and Tahrell.

I can truly say that I'm one of the happiest men alive and wouldn't trade what the Lord has called me to do for the world!

Hey, Dave here. Suburban Area Director for Jacksonville.

I love to cook things over fire. I am not shy behind a microphone. I like wearing good costumes...with fake mustaches, wigs, and hats. I really love my family. And most of all, I love telling people about Jesus.

Nothing could be better than for me to do program at Young Life's Trail West ...where I can do all five. That's me, a.k.a. Juan Carlos, in the picture serving Buffalo burgers to one of the guests. If you haven't been to Trail West (a camp for families), do it before you die. Well, actually if you don't do it before you die, then hopefully you will already be there - it is as close to heaven as any place on earth. (If you aren't sure you are going to heaven... give me a call, 904-652-7947. I'll buy you a cup of coffee and I'll tell you about this incredible thing that happened about 2000 years ago.)

I will be the program director this summer at Trail West, 2nd Session with Dan McLintock, Stanton Team Leader and LeAnna Kemp, JAX YL Staff. I have done 11 summer assignments as a program director. So, in my 17 years on staff, you could say I have been pigeonholed as a "program guy".

I was born and raised in New Orleans... I can peal and eat (including sucking the heads) of no less than a dozen crawfish a minute. I went to the University of Texas and was an English major - poetry and grammar were my specialities, ...seriously!

I met my wife, Angela, in Young Life leadership. We moved back to New Orleans for 14 years where I was the Area Director. We have 2 children, Allison is 11 and Will is 9. They are all amazing co-ministers with me. Allie wants to act or be a teacher, Will wants to go on Young Life staff or be a missionary in China. Angela is the Extended Day director at St. Mark's Episcopal Day School. She has a very dry, self-deprecating sense of humor that I love. She is also very pretty. I married up. I think the vast majority of Christian men marry up. It is a true definition of grace... we get what we don't deserve.

After Katrina hit New Orleans, we lived in Dallas for a few months and then I started interviewing for jobs that would fit for both YL and our family. Jacksonville won out over Houston and Hilton Head.

My hope and prayer for the teenagers of our city is that they would have an opportunity to hear what Jesus has done for them and His Promise to give them Eternal Life. My challenge to the believing adults in our city is to use their gifts to build the Kingdom and reach people with the Gospel - to be bold for Jesus!