Family Ministry

Apex Students High School Leadership

We know how important it is for parents and students alike to know the leadership of any group they are involved in. With that in mind, meet our Apex Students staff and volunteer leaders below. Feel free to contact us with questions or comments!

Staff Email
students@apexcommunity.org

Chad Osborne

Job: Apex High School Student Director

Why are you a student leader?
God has drawn me to obedience to make disciples and because this generation is suffering without answers. I want to be there to walk with them as we journey together on a path that leads to Christ.

What is the Lord teaching you right now?
That I will never outgrow the gospel. I need it everyday. It is bigger than i realize and I will never fully understand the depths and all the implications of its beauty.

What is a random thing about yourself?
My wife an I drink raw milk.

Melanie Lane

Job: Apex Female High School Student Director

What are you a student leader?
It is a joy to see the Gospel of Christ become the hope of students!

What is the Lord teaching you?
Trusting in the Lord is a daily choice. Also, how our lives here on earth are a vapor.

What is one random thing about yourself?
Although I grew up in Florida, snow skiing is one of my favorite things!

Sarah Alexander

Job: Manager at Banana Republic

What is the Lord teaching you right now?
How much I can learn from the students.

What is a random thing about yourself?
I live in an attic.

Jon Begg

Job: Territory Account Manager for Stanley Works co.

Why I am a leader:
I had great youth leaders in high school that helped me with my walk. I would like to do the same with the youth of apex.

What is God teaching me:
Its not enough to simply obey Him but also to have a deep love for Christ.

Random fact:
I am Asian.

Ben Collins

Job: ABWE Missionary to Thailand

Why am I a student leader?
I made my decision to follow Christ and to do missions as a kid. I know that some of the biggest decisions you can make are made at this time, and so for me, I want to be there, encourage and disciple the students as they are wrestling with essential life issues that will define who they are and who they’ll become for the rest of their lives.

What is God teaching me right now?
Patience, Humility, and Grace. Patience, because in my support raising process as I prepare to do missions in Thailand. Humility because I am constantly surrounded by Godly people who are in love with bringing glory and honor to God and not themselves. And grace, because although often I don’t feel adequate or prepared, God allows me opportunities to be used for His glory.

What is one random thing about myself?
I draw mazes. Most of them I have never seen anyone complete.

Eric Edem

Job: Contract Administrator with the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA)

Why am I a student leader?
I’m a student leader for many reasons, most importantly because I believe that it is where God wants me serving right now, but also because of the impact that a couple youth leaders had on my life when I was astudent. If God can use me to have an impact on a student’s life that will make them want to follow Christ than that would make the time I’ve been a studentleader more than worth it.

What is God teaching you right now?
God has been teaching me for the past year to really rely on Him for everything, that He is in control and knows what’s best for my life. The book by Francis Chan, Crazy Love, has had a huge impact on my life this year; I want to live a life that shows God’s love to the world everyday because it could be my last day on this earth.

What is one random thing about yourself?
I love studying history, especially the Civil War. I probably have over 100 books on the Civil War in my collection now.

Trisha Esterline

Job: Procurement Specialist (WPAFB)

Why are you at student leader?
I remember being a high school student, full of confusion and temptation, and the student leaders who invested in my life made a difference. I feel that I can relate to students by sharing my life experiences, my testimony, and God’s work in my life. If I can plant a seed in one students life, I know God can make it grow.

What is God teaching you right now?
In all your ways acknowledge Him and he will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:6). When I rely on my own understanding and try to control my circumstances, I find myself more confused, anxious, impatient, and selfish. God can and will handle it all. A pastor of mine once said “if we worshiped as much as we worried, we wouldn’t have anything to worry about.” Agree!!!

What is one random thing about yourself?
I went Skydiving for the first time September 20th and it was AWESOME!!!

Johnna Fantauzzo

Job: Teacher

Why are you a student leader?
I’m a student leader this year because God opened doors for the opportunity to happen! This is my first year involved with the youth at Apex and I’m enjoying every moment of working with the high school students.

What is the Lord teaching you right now?
The Lord is teaching me more and more about His soverienty. He has shown me in the recent weeks so tangibly that He will set my paths straight when I seek His wisdom before my own.

What is a random thing about yourself?
I was born with an extra rib! I will only eat spaghetti with a fork and spoon.

Abby Garman

Job: Stay at home mom to my 3 wonderful little guys and wife to my awesome hubby Dan.

Why are you a student leader?
I love hanging out with teens and learning more about who our God is with and through them. Plus, it is just a lot of fun.

What is the Lord teaching you right now?
He doesn’t work on my schedule, but his timing is so much better than anything I could plan.

What is a random thing about yourself?
I am a huge fan of coupons and bargain shopping.

Daniel Garman

Job: electrical engineer

Why are you a student leader?
To help students develop and mature as they seek after Christ.

What is the Lord teaching you right now?
His sovereignty in all circumstances

What is a random thing about yourself?
I dislike answering questions about random things.

Kendall Griffieth

Job: A Hairstylist

Why are you a student leader?
Because I love the Lord and want to serve Him in my giftings.

What is the Lord teaching you right now?
The Lord is teaching why and how I should talk to Him…through prayer!

What is a random thing about yourself?
I lived in Africa for 9 months

Jeff Long

Job: Exit Row Productions

Why are you a student leader?
I love working with students to help them grow in all areas of their lives, especially with their relationship with God.

What is the Lord teaching you right now?
The Lord is using friends, family marriage and circumstances to show me how selfish I can be.

What is a random thing about yourself?
I have been to all 50 States as well as 5 Continents.

Rebekah Nevitt

Job: Office Manager for a landscaping company

Why are you a student leader?
Because I remember what an impact my leader had in my life and love to pour into the students’ lives.

What is the Lord teaching you right now?
Teaching me what it looks like to get out of my comfort zone, coupled with what it truly means to love others like Christ does.

What is a random thing about yourself?
When I was little, I wanted Bill Cosby to be my dad.

Denise Porter

Job: Business Director for Wright State OB/GYN

Why are you at student leader?
I enjoy hanging out with teens and young adults as they grow in their faith and make it their own. These can be tricky years and I’m glad to be available to help them through.

What is God teaching you right now?
Life is not all about me; life is about loving Him more so that I can love others better with His love. Life is about relationships and bringing each other along to a deeper faith.

What is one random thing about yourself?
I love to cook for family and friends – desserts are my favorite.

Matt Porter

Job: Stars Leader Club Advisor

Why are you a student leader?
Students are my passion. I love God and love students.

What is the Lord teaching you?
I still need His grace everyday.

What is one random thing about yourself?
I grow up at a Children’s Home.

Kris Thompson

Job: Licensed Massage Therapist

Why are you a student leader?
I have felt led by God for most of my life to lead kids and have worked with children for the last 14 years.

What is the Lord teaching you right now?
Persistence in all things!

What is a random thing about yourself?
My favorite sitting style is Indian style.

Rick Velilla

Job: computer programmer

Why are you a student leader?
Because I had great leaders when I was in high school and I want to help develop the leaders of tomorrow.

What is the Lord teaching you right now?
It is not enough to want God some of the time. I need to want Him all the time.

What is a random thing about yourself?
I love Notre Dome football.

Alathea Young

Job: Pre-kindergarten teacher

Why are you a student leader?
When I was in middle school I had a lady who poured into my life and still does today. I want to be that person for female girls, as I live life with them.

What is the Lord teaching you right now?
How to be positive in the life circumstances he has put me in and to trust Him with the future.

What is a random thing about yourself?
I have never used an alarm clock. I have an internal alaram clock in my head that will wake me up no matter how early or random the time.