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Youth Ministries Team

James & Jennifer Barnes

Youth President

James and Jennifer were married in December of 2010 and the two have been serving in youth ministry together since. There is nothing they enjoy more than spending time with their two daughters, Emma and Anna. They currently serve as Youth Pastors at Bethel Christian Center in Havre De Grace, Maryland. James is an Ordained minister in the United Pentecostal Church International and works as an Assistive Technology Professional. Jennifer received her Master’s Degree in Education and is employed through the Harford County Public School System. It’s their desire to see EVERY young person in the MD/DC District actively involved in Apostolic ministry in their local church, on their jobs, and on their high school or college campus.  

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Drew & Rachel Keatts

Youth Secretary

Drew Keatts has served in various roles in local youth ministry for 13 years, serving as the Youth Director at Abundant Life Church from 2016 to 2019.  He has served on the Maryland/DC District youth committee since 2014.  He and his wife Rachel Keatts are Baltimore natives and feel that this is where God has called them to serve in His kingdom for the rest of their lives. In October of 2020, they welcomed their son, Louis Elliott Keatts. They enjoy a good cup of coffee, city life and spoiling their labradoodle, Macie Grey Keatts.  Drew and Rachel Keatts love investing in young people and believe that one of the greatest privileges in life is to empower and equip people to reach their full potential for the glory of God!

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Jalen & Esther Mauk
Director of Promotions

Jalen and Esther Mauk currently serve as the Youth Pastors at Antioch Central. They have a tremendous burden for the youth of today. It is their hope and desire to equip and help young people become all that God has called them to be. Along with that, they lead the media department at Antioch Central, working to spread the whole gospel to the whole world through digital means. On a daily basis, Jalen works full-time for Antioch and Esther is a real estate agent with JPAR MD Living. In their free time they enjoy playing board games, going on Chick-fil-A dates, trying new coffee shops, and spending time with their family and friends.

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Michael & Melissa McGurk

CMI Director

Mike and Melissa McGurk are the CMI Coordinators of Antioch Central and Mike is the Director of District Coordinators for the CMI National team. Mike and Melissa recently felt a call to plant a campus/city church in College Park, MD. They are believing for a mighty harvest in the schools of MDDC and DC region. Their number one desire is to know Jesus and to put His kingdom first. They count it a great honor and privilege to serve. They have a vibrant daughter, Evelyn, who is always laughing and dancing. They love doing life with their precious little girl. Mike and Melissa also love to travel, especially overseas. Ice cream is their go-to; you may often find all three of them at Rita’s Italian Ice during the warmer months.

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William & Jordyn Spriggs
P7 Director

William has been serving in youth ministry for 5 years, and was also a local P7 leader at his high school. They both understand that the love of God is what changes people and they strive daily to allow His love to shine through them. The world has tried to take God out of this generation of young people. Our burden is to empower the young people in this district to stand in the gap and allow the Love of God to flow through them on to their peers. William loves meeting new people at his bank job and Jordyn enjoys working with young people at a local Montessori School. In their free time they love to take walks by the water, play tennis, and host game nights for their friends and family!

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Ian & Annie Garland
Hyphen Director

Ian and Annie Garland passionately lead the Young Adults of Christian Life Center with a desire to guide them through critical transitions and help them build their lives upon a foundation of truth. Additionally, Ian serves as the Creative Team Lead and Executive Administrator at CLC, while Annie serves as Director of CLC’s Good Ground Nursery. 
Together they are joyously raising two bright and beautiful children. As a family, the Garlands share a love for board games, traveling, audio dramas, and new restaurants. Ian and Annie wholeheartedly embrace the call to make disciples and have no greater desire than to be a vessel for the grace and glory of God to impact the lives of people. 

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Kelly Griffin
Bible Quizzing Coordinator

Kelly Griffin has been involved in MDDC Bible Quizzing as a parent, coach, CLC coordinator, and for the past six years, as the District Coordinator for Junior Bible Quizzing. In addition to being involved in several other  local ministries at CLC, she and her husband Michael also lead the Discipleship Forum team. While this is Kelly’s first time serving with the Youth Committee, she has experience with MDDC Youth through her daughter Julianna’s involvement. Kelly enjoys traveling, family, disc golf, squirrels, and international rugby! 

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Ricardo & Jenifer Gomez
Spanish Ministries Representative

Ricardo and Jenifer Gomez serve as the Youth Pastors of Iglesia La Casa Del Alfarero in Beltsville, MD. They have been serving together for over 5 years. Ricardo Gomez has been part of the Pastoral team at his local church since 2019. Jenifer Gomez has been serving as a leader for the Production & Youth Department at her local church since 2019. Ricardo Gomez has a secular job as an Electrician and Jenifer Gomez as an Accountant. During their free time they love to try new Mexican Tacos spots. It is their goal to see young people from many cultures fulfill their God-given purpose as they further the Kingdom of God!

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Wyatt & Emily Bridges
Section 1 Coordinator

Wyatt and Emily Bridges live on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. They are part of Acts The Apostolic Church where they are  currently Youth Pastoring. They have worked in many aspects of Youth Ministry for several years and now serve the MDDC District as Sectional Representatives for the Youth Department.Wyatt and Emily enjoy Chick-fil-A, Thrift Shopping, and Spending time with family and friends. They are excited about being part of the sweeping revival that is taking hold of this generation.

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Javid & Joanna Barnes
Section 2 Representative

Javid and Joana are Youth Pastors at Antioch North while also leasing the hyphen group. They both serve in other ministries such as worship, leading a small group, and Spanish ministry. Javid and Joana welcomed their first child in February of 2023. They enjoy trying different ethnic foods and spending time with family. 

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Josh & Jessica Johnson
Section 3 Representative

Josh and Jess Johnson were married in 2017 and have been serving as the Youth Pastors of Living Hope in Lexington Park Maryland Since then. On March 4th of 2023 they welcomed their firstborn child Marley Grace. The Johnsons are passionate about the spiritual growth and development of young people and helping them find their place in the Kingdom of God. 

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Kasey & Lashonda DeSouza
Section 4 Representative

Kasey and LaShonda have had a burden for Youth Ministry for several years and have served in the past as Youth leaders at Christian Life Center and served as Youth Pastor at Christian Life Chapel for 5 years. They have a burden for the youth of this district and are privileged to be able to serve and invest in young people's lives. They have two beautiful children, Sawyer and Benjamin DeSouza. They enjoy quality family time, traveling, and spontaneous drives.

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