Staff
We are blessed to have a dedicated team of staff passionate about serving our local youth.
- For general inquiries, please call our main office at 317.925.2828
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For specific questions, please see the staff directory below
Meet our Staff
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Ty Denney, Executive Director
What I do at YFC: I lead our strategy with how to be most effective in influencing young people to follow Jesus. Within that mission I am responsible for fund raising, Board of Directors management, community relations, and vision casting for the staff.
Why I work here: I love to see lives changed and watch people come alive with hope toward their future. Working with this wonderful team of people, we get to do this together.
What I did before YFC: I have had the privilege of being a pastor, a global mission's director, and for a short time I was supervisor of an assembly line at an air conditioning manufacturer.
Home Church: Common Ground Christian Church http://www.cground.org/index.php
tdenney@ciyfc.org
Ali King, Campus Life & City Life Ministry Director
What I do at YFC: My focus is on empowering the Campus Life Ministry staff in their schools and their local communities, to expand our Campus Life ministries into new schools by working with the parents, churches and administrators in that area. And in my spare time I work closely with our City Life Wheels staff to build it into a vibrant program.
Why I work here: Every day I get to focus on my passion in life, to share the hope and love of Jesus with young people and their families and I get to work with a group of staff who are just as passionate about the mission.
What I did before YFC: In what now seems like a lifetime away, I was a high school teacher in England.
Home Church: Eagle Church http://www.eaglechurch.com
aking@ciyfc.org
Dave Garvey, Campus Life Coach: Zionsville High School
I invest in teens through YFC because every youth deserves a chance to experience God’s love for them. God has given me the ability to relate to teens and the desire to live life along side of them.
Little known fact about about me is I desire to one day be a wedding singer.
Favorite Restaurant Boondogglers in Zionsville.
On a free Saturday you will find me sitting, standing or laying, whichever one seems the most appropriate at the time
Celebrity I can be mistaken for is Shaquille O’neal or Miley Cyrus on my good days.
Home Church: Zionsville Presbyterian Church
www.zpc.org
dgarvey@ciyfc.org
Dan Hillen, Campus Life Coach: Fishers and Hamilton Southeatern High School
I invest in teens through Youth for Christ because I desire to show authenticity through my life and help students see the Jesus that I do. My desire is to help students understand who Jesus is and how to follow Him with their whole hearts-regardless of where they are in their walk of faith.
Little known fact is that I use to have an afro.
On a free Saturday you will find me spending time with my wife and two kids. It could be simply taking a walk together, going to a park, or going to the Children's Museum.
Celebrity I could be mistaken for is Ty Denney.
Home Church: College Park Church www.yourchurch.com
dhillen@ciyfc.org
Jana Hillen, Campus Life Coach: Fishers Junior High School
I invest in teens through Youth for Christ because I want young people to know that there are adults who love and care about them and, more importantly, a loving God who created them and wants a personal relationship with them.
Little known fact that I once gave mouth-to-snout (CPR) to my 2 year old Black Lab. I'm proud to say, he survived and is now 10 years old!
On a free Saturday you will find me out playing and exploring around town with my husband, Dan, son, Micah, and daughter, Alana.
Celebrity I could be mistaken for in college it was unreal how many people would tell me that I looked just like Helen Hunt . . . now, I just get mistaken for a high schooler!
Home Church: College Park Church
www.yourchurch.com
jhillen@ciyfc.org
Susie Jordan, Teen Parents Director
I invest in teens through Youth for Christ because I have a passion to encourage young people who are not sure where they are headed, but are pretty sure they don't want to stay where they are. I love to walk beside young moms, living life with them and teaching them that God has a special plan for their lives.
Little known fact is I was ranked 10th in my high school class.
On a free Saturday you will find me at a soccer game cheering for my two sons, singing, walking, riding bikes or hanging with friends.
Celebrity I could be mistaken for is Morgan Fairchild.
Home Church: Eagle Church http://www.eaglechurch.com
sjordan@ciyfc.org
Grace Patterson, Campus Life Coach: Paul Hadley Middle School (Mooresville)
I invest in teens through Youth for Christ because I love God and I love students. I accepted Christ into my life during middle school and I know how important support can be during these years.
Little known fact is I've never liked the nickname "Gracie".
On a free Saturday you will find me at the park, visiting family enjoying life with my husband and son.
Celebrity I could be mistaken for is my twin sister. We're a big deal-at least to the 12 people we know.
Home Church: Grace Missionary http://www.gracemooresville.org/
gpatterson@ciyfc.org
Adam Pedersen, Campus Life Coach: Southport Middle School
I invest in teens through YFC because God has created my heart to have a passion to reach out to, invest and journey through life with young people. I want to make an impact in my community with the love and understanding of God's glory in all of our lives.
Little know fact is I have a secret obsession with Duran Duran.
On a free Saturday you will find me on the canal walk at White River State Park with my wife, Sarah, and two sons, Luke and Caleb. Followed by a stop at South Bend Chocolate Company for some hot chocolate or ice Cream (depends on the season of course).
Celebrity I can be mistaken for is Denzel Washington
Home Church: Southport Presbyterian Church www.southportpc.org
apedersen@ciyfc.org
Chris Rickelman, Campus Life Coach: Lawrence North High School
I invest in teens through YFC because I had adults who influenced my life when I was young consistently pointed me to Jesus and that helped shape me into the man I am today. It is my prayer and desire that through this ministry I might be able to do the same.
Little known fact is I went back to high school for 7 days at the age of 31 in order to understand what teenagers are facing today.
On a free Saturday you will find me whipping up some of my famous banana, chocolate chip pancakes for my son Ian, daughter Avery, and wife Kim.
Celebrity I can be mistaken for is Chris Daughtry of American Idol fame.
Home Church: East 91st Street Christian Church http://www.east91st.org/
crickelman@ciyfc.org
Joe Tretter, Campus Life Coach: New Palestine
I invest in teens through YFC because I love young people and want to see them live their lives reflecting the heart of God. Pouring into young people is what I love to do being a part of YFC gives me a great opportunity to make an impact, one child at a time.
Little known fact is I love yoga and do it almost every day! I also love golfing and fishing!
On a free Saturday you will find me With my wife. Saturday has always been our day to spend time relaxing on the beach with our dogs, hiking all over the place, fishing, golfing, or some type of outdoor activity.
Celebrity I can be mistaken for is Gerald Butler.
Home Church: Still working on that!
jtretter@ciyfc.orgJames Burgess, Campus Life Coach: Triton Middle School
I invest in teens through YFC because I am able to be with kids on the school campus and in the community and in a very natural way show them about the truth of Jesus. Over the years I have seen hundreds of kids be impacted by YFC.
Little known fact is I almost had a career in baseball.
On a free Saturday you will find me relaxing with my family by the pool or visiting my Dad in Tennessee.
Celebrity I can be mistaken for is Ty Denney
Home Church: Indian Christian Creek Churchand preaching in the Metamora community.
www.thecreek.org
jburgess@ciyfc.org
Drew Phillips, Campus Life Coach: Zionsville MS & Zionsville West MS
I invest in teens through YFC because I am passionate about sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with today's youth! I enjoy being a part of the process of teens becoming more like Jesus. The future of the church is found in teens today, so it is vital to invest our lives in them.
Little known fact is I have a "Super Snapping" gift/ability! It annoys my wife to no end.
On a free Saturday you will find me fixing a nice breakfast for me and my wife, Lisa, playing basketball with friends, or watching the game of the day.
Celebrity I can be mistaken for is Mat Kearney
Home Church: Common Ground Chrisitan Church
www.cground.org:
dphillips@ciyfc.org
Jane Perkins, Communications and Event Coordinator
Jane supports the ministry staff by planning fundraising events, coordinating monthy newsletters, creating communication pieces, editing the website and maintaing the donor database. She and her husband, Mark, have two sons, Nick and Danny. In her spare time she enjoys reading, walking and hanging out with friends and family.
Home Church: Traders Point Christian Church http://www.tpcc.org/
jperkins@ciyfc.org
Jolene Ensign, Financial Coordinator
Jolene oversees all of the financial aspects of the office. She is married to Greg and they have a daughter, Jessica, and a son, Christopher. She enjoys family time, reading, off road vehicles, cooking and sewing. She loves to volunteer at her church and serve at a local soup kitchen.
Home Church: Park Chapel Christian Church
www.parkchapel.org
jensign@ciyfc.org
Clarence Brabson, City Life Wheels
Clarence is responsible for running the automobile vocational training elemement of the City Life Wheels ministry. Clarence has a love for people and for serving others. He enjoys fishing, traveling, entertaining friends and watching sports (Go Bucks!). He and his wife, Mary, have 3 sons and one grandson.
Home Church: Eagle Church
www.eaglechurch.com
cbrabson@ciyfc.org