High School (tUR)
Staff
Zoro Mer
Student Ministries Pastor
Name: Zoro Mer
Occupation/Major in School: Youth Guy/ AA Child Development Cerritos College, BA Public Relations California State University Fullerton, some Masters in Theological Studies at Vanguard University, Masters of Arts in Pastoral Studies Azusa Pacific University
Birthday: 1/14/78 or Unknown either one works
How long have you been a leader in the Upper Room? 5.6 years
What excites you most about serving in youth ministry? Watching students following Jesus for reals.
Are you involved in any other areas of ministry? Assistant to the Elementary Director :)
What's your favorite Bible verse/passage? Ephesians 2:8-10
What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Anything my family wants to do :)
One random/interesting/weird fact about you: I was born in a jungle.
One thing you love: my wife
Favorite childhood memory: winning a gold medal in my kindergarten Olympics :)
Caitlin Bresnahan
Small Group Leader
Name: Caitlin Bresnahan
Occupation/Major in School: Nursing
Birthday: April 23, 1991
How long have you been a leader in the Upper Room? A few weeks!
What excites you most about serving in youth ministry? Seeing God work in and through young people and seeing them increase in their passion to grow closer to Him and to share His love with those around.
What's your favorite Bible verse/passage? Galatians 2:20
What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Going to the beach, drinking coffee, chatting with friends and family, watching movies
One random/interesting/weird fact about you: I was a missionary kid to Russia and Ukraine
One thing you love: Chicago
One thing you hate: wearing wet socks
Favorite food: Cheesecake
Favorite color: Green
Favorite childhood memory: Sledding with my family on the golf course behind my grandma's house in Michigan every winter..
Most embarrassing moment: During finals week of my first semester at Biola, my friend and I were studying for Anatomy in a study room in the library. We thought it was some-what sound proof so we decided to remember the terms by singing them to Christmas songs. The area outside our room began clearing out and finally a guy came in and asked us to stop singing... It turns out that the rooms are very much not sound proof and the entire library hates us.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? In 5 years I hope to be graduated from the nursing program and working in a children's hospital.
Mitch Cecil
Elder to Student Ministries
Matt Dillon
Tech Guy, Small Group Leader
Elise Hamel
Student Ministries Assistant, Small Group Leader
Name: Elise Hamel
Occupation/Major in School: Wife to Matt & mommy to Noah
Birthday: May 20, 1987
How long have you been a leader in the Upper Room? Since Fall 2006, though I was a student leader for all 4 years as a student (2001-2005)
What excites you most about serving in youth ministry? I love doing the behind the scenes stuff (admin) to free up those who are gifted in other ways to focus on their gifting (counseling/preaching/teaching).
What's your favorite Bible verse/passage? Jeremiah 29:11 - I'm such a "planner", it's a nice reminder that God has planned things for me already.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Loving on the two men in my life - being a wife and mom are the two most fulfilling things I've ever had the privelage of doing! I also love to read, craft/sew, camp, watch movies, and hang out with friends.
One random/interesting/weird fact about you: My typing speed is 96 words per minute with 95% accuracy
One thing you love: Sweets
One thing you hate: Wet hair stuck to the shower wall *gag*
Favorite food: Salad or Italian food
Favorite color: Grey
Favorite childhood memory: Camping every summer with my family
Most embarrassing moment: I don't get embarassed easily...probably a few times I've accidentally really offended someone by saying something that wasn't intended in the way they took it at all...basically putting my foot in my mouth
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Probably another kid, hoping just loving life by loving Jesus, my hubby, my kiddos and any other ministries I'm involved with
Allison Hotz
Small Group Leader
Name: Allison Hotz
Occupation/Major in School: BA in Liberal Studies/minor in English Lit, Masters of Education/Multiple Subject Credential
Birthday: 2/28/1986
How long have you been a leader in the Upper Room? 3 years
What excites you most about serving in youth ministry? The thing I love about youth ministry is the opportunity to pour into the lives of others. I get to see God change lives and get to be a part of the process. There’s nothing I’d rather be doing.
Are you involved in any other areas of ministry? Student Ministries/Zoro’s assistant
What's your favorite Bible verse/passage? 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Reading good books
One random/interesting/weird fact about you: I love astronomy
One thing you love: the rain
One thing you hate: zucchini
Favorite food: black olives
Favorite color: purple
Favorite childhood memory: Going to places like Oak Glen or Santa’s Village with family and friends
Dan Kamwesa
Intern, Small Group Leader
Name: Daniel Kamwesa
Occupation/Major in School: Missions Coordinator/Pastoral Studies
Birthday: November 21, 1986
When did you become a leader in the Upper Room? October 2009
What excites you most about serving in youth ministry? Life change through the Spirit.
What's your favorite Bible verse/passage? 1 Peter 5:10
What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Watching movies & kickin it with my wife
One random/interesting/weird fact about you: I ate dirt as a child.
One thing you love: My wife’s cookies :)
One thing you hate: Discrimination
Favorite food: Chapati
Favorite color: Blue
Favorite childhood memory: Watching airplanes land and take off with my dad.
Most embarrassing moment: I pooped my pants in Kindergarten.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? In Kenya with a bunch of mixed babies.