First Pres Colorado Springs: Meet The Staff

Nate Stratman: Director of Student Ministries

Phone:

(719) 884-6222

Email:

nstratman@first-pres.org

Hideout:

The Ravens Nest in the a.m. and Taste of Jerusalem at lunch.

Cause:

Compassion International

Flicks:

Hotel Rwanda and Old Yeller

Perfect Meal:

Fried Chicken, Buttery Cabbage, Sweet Tea and Nanner Puddin'

Quotable:

"If we believe in Jesus, it's not what we gain that counts, but what He pours through us that really counts. God's purpose is not simply to make us beautiful plump grapes, but to make us grapes that He may squeeze the sweetness out of us." - Oswald Chambers
"Never eat more than you lift" - Miss Piggy

Free Time:

Cooking, Eating, Fishing, stalking the St. Louis Cardinals, Travel and going to the zoo with my family.

Why Youth Ministry?

It’s a beautiful thing watching students go from a borrowed to an owned faith in Christ.

How Did You Get Here?

My pops is a pastor so I have lived a few places and I have always been familiar with the church even though I haven’t always loved it. Through a bunch of failures God made it clear to me that walking with students would be my calling and I happen to agree with Him on that one. This is my 10th school year in ministry and the bulk of that time was spent in Wilmington, NC where I met my wife Kim and our daughter Ruthie was born.

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Spencer Norman: High School Ministries

Phone:

(719) 884-6216

Email:

snorman@first-pres.org

Hideout:

Bear Creek Park during Ultimate season, Breckenridge during the winter.

Cause:

World Vision

Flicks:

That's It That's All, Into The Wild, Garden State, Braveheart, Lords of Dogtown

Perfect Meal:

One where all the ingredients are ethically sourced.

Quotable:

"I am not defined by what I am not." - Rob Bell
"I want to do that for as long as I can, It's a pretty low standard of living with a high standard of life. Or something like that." - Kristen Kremer

Free Time:

Shredding gnar, chasing plastic, getting rad.

Why Youth Ministry?

The current generation WILL shape the world. This is where the impact is biggest, youth culture is culture. I think that most of our generation have a gross misunderstanding about who Christ is and what the church is for.. and haven't lost the hope that the world can become a better place. Helping people to realize that the Kingdom of God is for our world now.

How Did You Get Here?

Grew up in Atlanta, Georgia and went to school at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I worked at a camp called SpringHill there and God has given me a passion for young people and for the mountains. I moved out to Colorado at the beginning of 2009 to chase epic lines on a snowboard and students who don't know Christ. I've been working at First Presbyterian since May.

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Greg Hartnett: Greenhouse Intern for High School

Phone:

(719) 884-6124

Email:

ghartnett@first-pres.org

Hideout:

Pike's Perk

Free Time:

I really enjoy hanging around coffee shops, playing music, and playing stupid games with friends.

TV:

Arrested Development, How I Met Your Mother, The Office, Glee

Perfect Meal:

Ribs, Mashed Taters, Corn on the Cob, and Cookies!!! (Or maybe just cookies… not so nutritional, but undeniably delicious)

Why Youth Ministry?:

High School Students are the coolest, most passionate people I know of… Seeing students take hold of the gospel in ways I can't even imagine is enough to suck me in!

How Did You Get Here?

I grew up in the South Suburbs of Chicago, and graduated from Trinity Christian College. After graduating, I wanted an opportunity to learn a bit more about ministry from people who had been doing it for a while. I found the GreenHouse Internship online and jumped at the opportunity to learn from some awesome people while living in a gorgeous city… I have not been disappointed. Everyone I've met here has been awesome and I have really enjoyed the opportunities I've had.

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Ali Jo Forester: Greenhouse Intern for High School

Phone:

(719) 884-6124

Email:

aforester@first-pres.org

Hideout:

Dutch Brothers Coffee

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Katie Harris: Middle School Ministries

Phone:

(719) 884-6221

Email:

kharris@first-pres.org

Hideout:

Curled up on my big comfy purple couch at home.

Heroes:

Henri Nouwen, Deitrich Bonhoeffer and my youth pastor Drew Hulse

Cause:

International Justice Mission

Flicks:

A League of Their Own, You've Got Mail and White Squall

Perfect Meal:

Pulled Pork, grilled asparagus, steak fries (don’t forget the side of ranch) and a root beer.

Free Time:

Watching TV, crocheting or doing some other crafty thing, playing board games and perusing Facebook.

Why Youth Ministry?

I love the “aha” moments when a person truly begins to understand their relationship with Jesus.

How Did You Get Here?

Friends invited me to go to church when I was in middle school and God captured my heart (as soon as He wooed it away from the middle school boys). When I was in high school I became a volunteer with middle school youth and haven’t looked back. God brought me to Colorado Springs after being in my home state of Washington for 28 years.

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Collin Grant: 5th and 6th Grade Ministries

Phone:

(719) 884-6209

Email:

cgrant@first-pres.org

Hideout:

St. Francis Hospital (close to home, free Wi-Fi, quiet, great place to study). / The sidelines of various soccer fields watching my kids play.

College:

Tabor College – Go Blue jays!

Flicks:

Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, Pee Wee’s Big Adventure (80’s adventure flicks)

Perfect Meal:

Bacon, Donuts, and Asparagus (I’m not kidding)

Quotable:

"Remember in the dark what God has shown you in the light."
“Excuse me that was very rude, it wasn’t me it was my food. It got so lonely down below, it just popped up to say hello.” – Favorite childhood saying after a burp
"Cubs Win, Cubs Win" – Harry Carey

Free Time:

Playing and watch my kids play any sport (mostly soccer), dating my wife (need to do this more), anything with my kids, watching the Cubs, working in the yard, hanging with friends.

Why Youth Ministry?

What else would a person want to do? I love helping kids live into the grand story of Gods grace in their lives and his purpose for them in his kingdom. Also – Kids are open, honest and genuine. It’s a breath of fresh air.

Family:

I am married to an awesome woman named Becky and I have four of the greatest kids in the world: Titus, Eli, Maya and Paige. We used to have a guinea pig named Big Baby Davis but he moved on to a less stressful existence.

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Kelsey Lyndoe: Greenhouse Intern for 5th and 6th

Phone:

(719) 884-6222

Email:

klyndoe@first-pres.org

Hideout:

A back corner in a bookstore, give me a quiet corner surrounded by books and I'm happy.

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Kathy Freyschlag: Administrator

Phone:

(719) 884-6220

Email:

kfreyschlag@first-pres.org

Hideout:

Any bookstore, any city, the older and quirkier the better.

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Cliff Anderson: Parish Associate for Family Ministries

Phone:

(719) 381-1820

Email:

canderson@sc.younglife.org

Office:

I don’t have one. I’m part-time and I prefer to supervise by “walking around.”

T.V.:

LOST

Perfect Meal:

Well balanced meal, candlelight, classical music with my wife; OR Hot Dog & Fries at the Rockies game with friends!

Quotable:

"Jesus Christ is the visible image of the invisible God." (Col. 1:15)

Free Time:

Working in our yard, walking/hiking, being with friends

Why Youth Ministry?

Because kids are risky, fun, full of life, and willing to take a look at anything that seems to make sense to them. There’s nothing better than telling them about Jesus. If they see him in all his greatness, they generally love him.

Why Young Adults who work with children and youth?

Because they really understand “incarnational ministry:” spending time and building relationships with kids, and because they’re fun and keep me young – in my mind at least

How Did You Get Here?

I’ve been involved in youth ministry in the Church and Young Life for over 40 years so it’s just natural to do this now.

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Main Navigation

Phone:

(719) 884-6222

Email:

Hideout:

The Ravens Nest in the a.m. and Taste of Jerusalem at lunch.

Cause:

Flicks:

Hotel Rwanda and Old Yeller

Perfect Meal:

Fried Chicken, Buttery Cabbage, Sweet Tea and Nanner Puddin'

Quotable:

Free Time:

Cooking, Eating, Fishing, stalking the St. Louis Cardinals, Travel and going to the zoo with my family.

Why Youth Ministry?

It’s a beautiful thing watching students go from a borrowed to an owned faith in Christ.

How Did You Get Here?

Phone:

(719) 884-6216

Email:

Hideout:

Bear Creek Park during Ultimate season, Breckenridge during the winter.

Cause:

Flicks:

That's It That's All, Into The Wild, Garden State, Braveheart, Lords of Dogtown

Perfect Meal:

One where all the ingredients are ethically sourced.

Quotable:

"I am not defined by what I am not." - Rob Bell "I want to do that for as long as I can, It's a pretty low standard of living with a high standard of life. Or something like that." - Kristen Kremer

Free Time:

Shredding gnar, chasing plastic, getting rad.

Why Youth Ministry?

How Did You Get Here?

Phone:

(719) 884-6124

Email:

Hideout:

Pike's Perk

Free Time:

I really enjoy hanging around coffee shops, playing music, and playing stupid games with friends.

TV:

Arrested Development, How I Met Your Mother, The Office, Glee

Perfect Meal:

Ribs, Mashed Taters, Corn on the Cob, and Cookies!!! (Or maybe just cookies… not so nutritional, but undeniably delicious)

Why Youth Ministry?:

High School Students are the coolest, most passionate people I know of… Seeing students take hold of the gospel in ways I can't even imagine is enough to suck me in!

How Did You Get Here?

Phone:

(719) 884-6124

Email:

Hideout:

Dutch Brothers Coffee

Phone:

(719) 884-6221

Email:

Hideout:

Curled up on my big comfy purple couch at home.

Heroes:

Henri Nouwen, Deitrich Bonhoeffer and my youth pastor Drew Hulse

Cause:

Flicks:

A League of Their Own, You've Got Mail and White Squall

Perfect Meal:

Pulled Pork, grilled asparagus, steak fries (don’t forget the side of ranch) and a root beer.

Free Time:

Watching TV, crocheting or doing some other crafty thing, playing board games and perusing Facebook.

Why Youth Ministry?

I love the “aha” moments when a person truly begins to understand their relationship with Jesus.

How Did You Get Here?

Phone:

(719) 884-6209

Email:

Hideout:

St. Francis Hospital (close to home, free Wi-Fi, quiet, great place to study). / The sidelines of various soccer fields watching my kids play.

College:

Tabor College – Go Blue jays!

Flicks:

Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, Pee Wee’s Big Adventure (80’s adventure flicks)

Perfect Meal:

Bacon, Donuts, and Asparagus (I’m not kidding)

"I am not defined by what I am not." - Rob Bell
"I want to do that for as long as I can, It's a pretty low standard of living with a high standard of life. Or something like that." - Kristen Kremer

"Remember in the dark what God has shown you in the light."
“Excuse me that was very rude, it wasn’t me it was my food. It got so lonely down below, it just popped up to say hello.” – Favorite childhood saying after a burp
"Cubs Win, Cubs Win" – Harry Carey