This category is for permanent staff who are on staff year-round either full-time or part-time.
Ollie O’Brien Adventure Bible School Manager, Stonewater About Ollie O’Brien Ollie grew up in an orchard in New Zealand. He studied outdoor leadership and management with the intention of using those skills in Christian ministry and missions. He’s been passionate about this ever since. “I immigrated to the United States in 2020 and I’m excited…
Mia O’Brien Business Manager, Stonewater Meet Mia O’Brien Mia grew up in southwest Washington, where God got ahold of her early on. She is a health science major, a learner by design, and a fan of chocolate. She loves time with people of all ages, but here at Stonewater, that mostly means young adults. She…
Shane Land Director of Development, Stonewater About Shane Land One thing that became very clear to Shane when he started with Youth Dynamics was that there was not a lot of whitewater to experience growing up in Kansas. In fact, his first day of whitewater rafting was his first day of whitewater guide training with…
Stacie Paz Staff, Columbia Valley About Stacie Paz Stacie was born in Portland, Oregon and grew up in Tigard, Oregon. She graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in Education, specializing in prevention of gang and youth violence. During college, she lead bible studies with Intervarsity Christian Fellowship and was on staff helping…
Jessica Ronhaar Area Director, Stilly Valley / Regional Director, Western Washington About Jessica Ronhaar I moved from Orange County, California in 2007 to work for Youth Dynamics in Arlington, Washington. I started as area staff, then advanced to become the area Director in Arlington, known as Stilly Valley, and now I am the Western Washington…
Robert Guerin Base Director, Salmon River Adventure Base Hi, I’m Robert “Tex” Guerin I had the privilege of being on the first trip that Youth Dynamics did on the Lower Salmon River almost 30 years ago. It was a powerful way to experience God then, and it still is today. As the Salmon River…
Ryan Bentley Base Director, Idaho About Ryan Bentley Washington Adventure Volunteer 2001-2009 Idaho Summer Staff 2009 Idaho Program Manager 2009-2017 IdahoAdventure Director 2017-Present I showed up to my first Youth Dynamics adventure trip pretty sure that the Christian rafters would make me use a bible as a paddle or something strange like that. However,…
Teliesh Batuik Program Manager Youth Dynamics Adventures Idaho About Teliesha Batuik I first felt called into youth ministry when I was about 13. I was in church with my mom and heard someone talk about a treatment center for at risk youth. At that moment I knew I wanted to help teens when I grew…
Tim Nieuwsma Area Director, Nooksack Valley About Tim Nieuwsma I want to see more young peoples’ lives changed by the love and truth of Jesus Christ. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. It is a joy, privilege, and calling to participate in this work of God. Our part in this work begins with…
Paul Spence Vice President of Adventures About Paul Spence “And Don’t Get Wet” were the last words I would hear daily as the screen door was slamming behind me. As a kid in the summer, I was headed into the woods, exploring for critters or more than often following a stream to find its headwaters,…