Cory Smock
NEW THIS YEAR
Cory Smock started attending CVC in November, 2022 and became a member a few months later. He had previously served as a Youth Leader for 3 years prior to moving home to Ohio.
Viveka Jenks
NEW THIS YEAR
Hi! I’m Viveka. I’m new to being a CVCYouth leader. I’m excited to work with 8th grade Collide girls with Lauren and Holly. I’m not totally new to CVCYouth, though. I have two sons in High School, have already been a leader at a couple Frontlines as well as Winter Retreat. I fully know what I signed up for, lol!
Monica Hatton
NEW THIS YEAR
Monica moved here two years ago from Maryland and is currently in nursing school. She is super adventurous, loves exploring new places, and traveling. Monica has been involved with young adults for a year and felt called to explore CVC youth. Monica had a taste of CVCyouth this summer and is super excited to start as a Collide leader this fall. In her free, when’s she’s not studying, you’ll find Monica propagating plants, spending time with family and friends, and trying a new recipe.
Kris Sutton
NEW THIS YEAR
Kris is excited to be serving as a Collide leader for the sixth grade girls this year. Kris was born and raised in the Cleveland area and is a huge sports fan. She cheers for all the Cleveland teams, along with the Columbus Crew and Ohio State Buckeyes. Kris is a fifth grade teacher and is in her fifteenth year in education. She has been married to her sweet husband Jon for 19 years, and they have three kids. Their son is a high school sophomore, and their daughters are in eighth and sixth grades. The big thing she is thinking about currently is her son getting his temps and becoming a driver! Kris is thrilled to be able to build into the lives of her Collide girls and to help them grow in their relationship with Christ.
Eli Krzesinski
NEW THIS YEAR
Eli was born in Charleston West Virginia. He loves the outdoors and especially the beach. Eli enjoys biking running, swimming, hiking, and adventures such as camping. As a kid, Eli grew up in Warsaw, Poland as a missionary kid. He has lived in the Cleveland area for 8 years. Currently Eli is a college student at Tri-C seeking a major in Biology to become a park ranger. One thing that he is really passionate about is music. Eli loves listening to different genres of music and enjoys writing music and playing worship at church. Eli loves the Lord with all of his heart. The highlight of this last year was going to Panama on a mission’s trip that blew his mind and ignited a fire to serve and reach others for Christ.
Emma Hamilton
1 YEAR
Lauren Meyer
Director
Lauren is the CVCYouth Director of Ministry. Lauren oversees all of the communication, event planning and execution, leader discipleship, and the logistical side of running the ministry of CVCYouth. Lauren most enjoys creating easy on-ramps for students in 6th-12th grade to be discipled to become more like Jesus through one on one relationships with youth leaders. Lauren served as an intern with CVCYouth in 2016 and was hired on staff in June, 2018. Lauren has a B.S. and M.A. in counseling from Clarks Summit University. She says that her counseling degree “has become invaluable as I(she) walk alongside teenagers in some of the most formative years of their lives.” Lauren loves Cleveland and takes every opportunity to go exploring with her husband, Austin. The two never intended to stay in Cleveland long but the 216 has quickly become home to them.
Jason Lamb
2 YEARS
Jason is a husband, father, IT Nerd by profession, and weekend woodworker/handyman by passion. US Army Combat Vet. Lover of all things techy and wood! Jason is married to his wife Hannah, and has two kids, Alex and Isabella.
Ruth Ricks
1 YEAR
Born and raised in Sweet Home Alabama, Ruth Ricks has been part of CVC since the Summer of 2018 shortly after moving to Ohio with her husband Trent. Ruth met Trent at Mississippi State University where they were both part of a ministry outreach for International Students. They have been married since 2015 and have two young daughters. Ruth taught middle and high-school Spanish for four years before transitioning to being a stay home mom.
Ruth gave her life to Christ at a young age and during her teenage years, she learned how God is a personal God and that she had a personal responsibility to grow in her relationship with Him. She also had a desire to help teach young girls to find their worth in Christ and prayed God would give her an opportunity to work with young girls someday.
Ruth loves animals, especially horses and dogs. She currently has the same “puppy” that she has had since she was 15 years old. She loves being outdoors and traveling to foreign countries whenever she gets the opportunity.
Bill & Jen Malone
1 YEAR
Jennifer was born and raised in Northeast Ohio. Jen currently lives in Brunswick with her husband of (soon to be) 25 years, their 4 children (Vinny, Eddy, Gina, and Grace), and their puppy, Oakley. Jen has a passion for building relationships with other people and looks for opportunities to share Christ with others. She tries to make a friend wherever she goes and her goal is to leave a smile on the face of those she encounters. Whether going for hikes and bike rides, watching movies, or playing basketball, four square, or board games, it brings Jen great joy to spend time with her family. Jen has served at CVC in the MOMtourage ministry as a group leader, she has led a CVC Lifegroup out of her home for 3 years, and currently is a CVCGO Team Member and a youth leader for the Brunswick Youth Ministry for middle and high school students.