"Exemplify" Jr High Servants
Leo Yanez
Hello, I’m Leo and I grew up in Echo Park. When I was 7 years old, I was part of history when I saw “Star Wars” first premiere in 1977 at the Mann’s Chinese Theater, in Hollywood. (How cool was that! I know haaaa!) By this I guess you figured out I am one of “the older guys” in the Jr. High Ministry (but, not as old as Moses in the O.T., lol). However by the Grace of God my heart is still very young. I grew up in a single parent home plagued by domestic violence, alcoholism & poverty. Growing up during my rebellious (B.C. years), Jesus taught me many life lessons, which helps me in this ministry. I obtained my degree in Criminal Justice from CSLA in 1995. I have been working with “delinquent kids” in my job for 18 years now. I’ve worked the juvenile halls, juvenile camps and still trying to save as many of our “at risk youth” from the Satan who aims to seek and destroy them.
On October 27, 2013 me my wife and two daughter Alyssa & Valerie walked away from Catholicism and gave our lives to Jesus Christ. In March 2015, the Holy Spirit tugged at my heart like Saul on the road to Damascus, and I started serving with this Ministry. You can find me during Sunday’s Jr. High first service with my daughter Valerie. I love spending time in the Word, with my family, Christian Concerts, backpacking the Sierra’s, fishing, pastries (I'm just keeping it real!), and just being a big kid at heart. In a nut shell, I am just a simple sinner saved by grace. “Let your Dreams be bigger than your Fears, your Actions louder than your Words, & your Faith in JESUS CHRIST Stronger than your Feelings.” Love you guys very much. May God continue to bless you and keep you.
Hello, I’m Leo and I grew up in Echo Park. When I was 7 years old, I was part of history when I saw “Star Wars” first premiere in 1977 at the Mann’s Chinese Theater, in Hollywood. (How cool was that! I know haaaa!) By this I guess you figured out I am one of “the older guys” in the Jr. High Ministry (but, not as old as Moses in the O.T., lol). However by the Grace of God my heart is still very young. I grew up in a single parent home plagued by domestic violence, alcoholism & poverty. Growing up during my rebellious (B.C. years), Jesus taught me many life lessons, which helps me in this ministry. I obtained my degree in Criminal Justice from CSLA in 1995. I have been working with “delinquent kids” in my job for 18 years now. I’ve worked the juvenile halls, juvenile camps and still trying to save as many of our “at risk youth” from the Satan who aims to seek and destroy them.
On October 27, 2013 me my wife and two daughter Alyssa & Valerie walked away from Catholicism and gave our lives to Jesus Christ. In March 2015, the Holy Spirit tugged at my heart like Saul on the road to Damascus, and I started serving with this Ministry. You can find me during Sunday’s Jr. High first service with my daughter Valerie. I love spending time in the Word, with my family, Christian Concerts, backpacking the Sierra’s, fishing, pastries (I'm just keeping it real!), and just being a big kid at heart. In a nut shell, I am just a simple sinner saved by grace. “Let your Dreams be bigger than your Fears, your Actions louder than your Words, & your Faith in JESUS CHRIST Stronger than your Feelings.” Love you guys very much. May God continue to bless you and keep you.
Julio Rosales
My name is Julio Rosales. I am a 1994 baby, so I am currently 23 years old. I graduated from California State University of Long Beach on December 2016. I have a B.A. in Psychology. Although I may possibly have slightly—and I do mean slightly—more knowledge than the “average Joe” on a few topics (due to my years in college), I will be the first one to tell you that I may not be as smart as you think someone with a B.A. should be. To be honest, I do not feel as though I am that smart. There may even be grammatical and punctual errors in this bio. If there is any form of wisdom that comes out of my mouth, I do believe it is God. Not only do I say that because the Bible tells us that God is the source to all wisdom, but also because I would rate my own knowledge and intelligence as that of an “average Joe,” if that. I have had the pleasure of serving in year high for about 4 years now. I won’t lie, sometimes the kids can frustrate me, but I find it extremely fulfilling when I am able to witness them starting to take their walks seriously. I know that some of these Jr. Highers know more about the Bible than I do, so it excites me to think about how much more they will grow and how God will use them, if they continue to stay loyal and obedient to His calling.
My name is Julio Rosales. I am a 1994 baby, so I am currently 23 years old. I graduated from California State University of Long Beach on December 2016. I have a B.A. in Psychology. Although I may possibly have slightly—and I do mean slightly—more knowledge than the “average Joe” on a few topics (due to my years in college), I will be the first one to tell you that I may not be as smart as you think someone with a B.A. should be. To be honest, I do not feel as though I am that smart. There may even be grammatical and punctual errors in this bio. If there is any form of wisdom that comes out of my mouth, I do believe it is God. Not only do I say that because the Bible tells us that God is the source to all wisdom, but also because I would rate my own knowledge and intelligence as that of an “average Joe,” if that. I have had the pleasure of serving in year high for about 4 years now. I won’t lie, sometimes the kids can frustrate me, but I find it extremely fulfilling when I am able to witness them starting to take their walks seriously. I know that some of these Jr. Highers know more about the Bible than I do, so it excites me to think about how much more they will grow and how God will use them, if they continue to stay loyal and obedient to His calling.
Bethany Castillo
Hi there! My name is Bethany Castillo, I am 24 years old, and am currently working on my bachelor's degree in Child and Adolescent Development at Cal State Fullerton. I have been attending The Ark Montebello for 24 years, and have had a personal relationship with God since my sophomore year of high school (so for about 9 years now). I have served in the children's ministry since I graduated high school, and have served in the Jr. High ministry since October of 2016. I LOVE serving your kids, and I look forward to meeting and getting to know every single one of them.
Hi there! My name is Bethany Castillo, I am 24 years old, and am currently working on my bachelor's degree in Child and Adolescent Development at Cal State Fullerton. I have been attending The Ark Montebello for 24 years, and have had a personal relationship with God since my sophomore year of high school (so for about 9 years now). I have served in the children's ministry since I graduated high school, and have served in the Jr. High ministry since October of 2016. I LOVE serving your kids, and I look forward to meeting and getting to know every single one of them.
Erick De Santiago
Hello everyone, my name is Erick De Santiago. I was born in Boyle heights and raised in many parts of East Los Angeles because my family and I moved frequently. I'm fairly new to servanthood and enjoy every minute of it. At first, I started serving in the Parking Ministry and then God lead me to the Jr. High Ministry. I Enjoy being around the youth and try my very best to be a positive role model to them. Children at this age need someone to listen to them and relate to them which is something that I didn't have growing up. I do my best to listen to the youth and give them advice based on scripture. I love making people laugh, enjoy sports and music. I have been given the privilege to serve with many other great leaders at The Ark that inspire me. So please stop by and say hello!
Hello everyone, my name is Erick De Santiago. I was born in Boyle heights and raised in many parts of East Los Angeles because my family and I moved frequently. I'm fairly new to servanthood and enjoy every minute of it. At first, I started serving in the Parking Ministry and then God lead me to the Jr. High Ministry. I Enjoy being around the youth and try my very best to be a positive role model to them. Children at this age need someone to listen to them and relate to them which is something that I didn't have growing up. I do my best to listen to the youth and give them advice based on scripture. I love making people laugh, enjoy sports and music. I have been given the privilege to serve with many other great leaders at The Ark that inspire me. So please stop by and say hello!
Clarissa Perez
Hi everyone my name is Clarissa Perez. I was raised in CCM which is now called The Ark Montebello. When I was in middle school through high school, I started to drift away from God. I started to focus on what I wanted for myself and not what God wanted for me. Although, I wasn't a "bad kid" I wasn't walking and having the fellowship I knew God wanted me to have with Him. I would only call on Him when things weren't going my way. Once I graduated from Schurr High School in 2011, I rededicated my life to God and it hasn't been the same since. I know what it's like to want to fit in at a young age, as well as take part in what society tell us is okay. Since walking with the Lord, and growing in him day by day, I felt called to serve in the Jr. High ministry and have been serving since October 2016. I love connecting with the youth and building relationships, playing volleyball, being outdoors, watching movies, and going on adventures. If you see me, please come say hello.
Hi everyone my name is Clarissa Perez. I was raised in CCM which is now called The Ark Montebello. When I was in middle school through high school, I started to drift away from God. I started to focus on what I wanted for myself and not what God wanted for me. Although, I wasn't a "bad kid" I wasn't walking and having the fellowship I knew God wanted me to have with Him. I would only call on Him when things weren't going my way. Once I graduated from Schurr High School in 2011, I rededicated my life to God and it hasn't been the same since. I know what it's like to want to fit in at a young age, as well as take part in what society tell us is okay. Since walking with the Lord, and growing in him day by day, I felt called to serve in the Jr. High ministry and have been serving since October 2016. I love connecting with the youth and building relationships, playing volleyball, being outdoors, watching movies, and going on adventures. If you see me, please come say hello.
