Lars Rood has been doing youth ministry for a long time. He’s gone to school for a long time too, but most people he works with don’t really care about that. He lives in Dallas, Texas, with his wife and three amazing kids. Originally he’s from Seattle though, and lived in California for a long time, so he really doesn’t know where to tell people he’s from. Lars loves to hang with Jesus and if there is coffee there too, he thinks it makes both he and Jesus pretty happy.
Austin Ariail hails from Columbia, SC and is an ardent Sandlapper. What is a “Sandlapper?” Ask and find out. He enjoys ultimate frisbee and reading, and he can do both at the same time. He loves to procrastinate and eat chocolate chip cookies, which he does both at the same time. He attends Dallas Seminary and, hopefully, plans to teach one day. So put your hands together next time you see him and give him a round of applause.
Kevin Klay has lived in 6 countries and hasn’t lived with his parents since he was 12 years old meaning he is very confused and it takes at least 10 minutes to explain where he is from. Calling West Africa home, Kevin is the whitest African out there but cannot wait to return to his home continent to teach people about Jesus. Kevin loves history and exploring how the Bible is one great big story about God redeeming humans and loves to help others see that as well.
Scott Fleming, “The Missions Guy”, has been at HPPC for 3 years. He has been married to his beautiful wife Whitney for almost 2 years. Scott is a Houston sports fan; therefore, finds it hard to live in Dallas surrounded by crazy Mavs and Cowboy fans. He also drives a big white Jeep named the Abominable Snowman.
Cari Cassell works with the UpStream Ministry of HPPC where she absolutely loves pouring her time and heart into the lives of High School students. In 2005, after growing up in a tiny East Texas town and spending four years at the fabulous Texas A&M University, she found herself here in Dallas. Since then, and thanks to you, she’s had some of the most fun years of her life here at HPPC. She feels most at home in a costume and enjoys hammocks, eating hot dogs, naps in the sun on her trampoline, long weekends at the lake, playing (just about anything sporty) and her hot pink paisley electric guitar! …And she can’t wait to hang out with YOU this summer!!!
Anna Miller has been working at HPPC for almost 1 year! She grew up on the foreign mission field in the Philippines and her family is still living there today! She really really misses her 15 year old sister, Twyla, but is super excited to see her this summer! Anna is married to her awesome husband Marcus and couldn’t imagine her life without him. Her favorite things are music, movies, her 2 cats, and, uh, music!
Doug Congdon is a high school youth pastor in Austin, Texas right now. He worked at HPPC for 3 years and will hopefully never stop working with kids because he loves acting like a kid more than anything. Doug is getting married at the end of this summer in his awesome hometown of Topeka, KS, where he plays sand volleyball and yells really loud for the Kansas Jayhawks to beat everyone else up. Also, those who know Doug might say he spends a little too much time playing video games, but Doug would probably disagree.
Jon Wasson loves teaching students to follow Jesus. He is from the great state of Washington, and while new to Texas, he is figuring out how to merge his left-coast heritage with his new found love for the city of Dallas. He also loves his music entirely too loud, energy drinks, books written by dead guys, historical theology, and snowboarding. Oh yeah, one time he ran full speed, face first, into a glass wall.
Jenni Berryhill loves the south…the real South. Yep, she’s a Georgia girl, but she’s glad to call this great state of Texas home, too. Jenni has been doing youth ministry since she was in college and has been with her favorite kids yet (HPPC ones!) for going on two years. This summer, you’ll find her either lying out by the pool, crafting, eating JD’s Chippery, or hanging out with you!
Fred Ndavi grew up in a small town in the countryside of Kenya. Though he’s lived in Dallas for 7 years, he still loves tea. He loves talking to people and enjoys community time with the youth. No wife, no kids and no pets but he is in love with soccer. If he could travel every other month to a new place, he would be gone today! He loves sports, movies, community, travel, new friends, ministry and food!
Jill Scovell is California dreamin’ and probably laying out on a beach somewhere by now, because, seriously, what else do you do in California?? Jill misses HPPC so much. She thinks about the students and staff and prays for everyone often. Jill prays because she trusts in God and His ultimate plan…she believes that He’s in control of her future and yours. Do you believe it? You should pray too. (I love you! Call me soon!)
Emily Wilkinson has been here a long time! Going on her 8th summer at HPPC, Emily began as youth volunteer on polar bear. She is a mom of two little boys, Brooks and Bobby Jett. She thinks that their names are the coolest. Her husband, David, is a high school football coach and she knows that all toys and furniture in her home will one day be used as tackling dummies. She fears that she too might be a tackling dummy.
Laura Larsen hails from the great state of Louisiana but these past 3 years in Dallas have slowly been turning her into a Texan. While she still hates BBQ sauce with a deep-seated passion, country music now holds the most spots on her iPod. Hanging out is her favorite summer pastime (call me!) but other summer goals include: road-tripping at least twice a month, spending large amounts of time spent in the sun, passing her summer classes, drinking massive amounts of Diet Coke, and organizing her fall calendar around the LSU Football games.
