Alexis Wright–Whitley
Alexis grew up in the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia. In May of 2014, she graduated with a Bachelors in Journalism from Temple University, where she also studied political science and Spanish. During the summer of 2014, Alexis served as a city host in Philadelphia for CSM.
Alexis worked with children from pre–school to high school, starting when she was fourteen years old, through faith–based nonprofit, Ayuda Community Center. From there, she has worked with children through other nonprofit organzations and in a few Philadelphia public high schools, instilling leadership and providing students with art skills. She has always been a strong champion for justice and equality – believing that everyone has the ability to shine like a light in their city, to make a difference and represent the ultimate goal of Christ, love.
Alexis is a self–proclaimed geek/nerd, and enjoys anything revolving around technology and video games. She can also almost always be found snapping photos or videos to add to her portfolio. She is excited to spend her year in Boston, MA as an apprentice, because she desires to show love to a new set of strangers and empower them, while being open to receive the same empowerment.
Chicago
Josh Larson
Josh hails from the city of Rockford, IL. He loves music, food, music, reading, music, good movies/television, music, running, music, being outside, and music. He also loves music. He is passionate about ministering to people through relationship. His heart for helping people has informed many of his decisions over the years, including getting involved in short–term mission trips to Kentucky and Scotland in junior high and high school as well as studying Psychology at Indiana Wesleyan University, from which he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 2014. He worked at a day camp for low–income children for several years, and God used this experience to develop a passion in his heart for inner–city children. This passion, as well as his passion for long–term, relational ministry, drove Josh to become a city host for CSM Chicago in the summer of 2014. This experience was life–changing, and Josh now feels drawn to the inner–city, possibly long–term. He feels humbled and grateful to have the opportunity to be the apprentice for CSM for the 2014 to 2015 season, and he hopes that this experience will help him focus his passion for inner–city ministry. He is learning more and more each day what it means to be a child of God as well as what intimacy with God looks like.
Denver
Heather Huante
Heather graduated from Texas Tech University with a bachelor’s degree in communication studies, in May of 2014. During her four years in Lubbock she had the opportunity to serve in several different capacities; everything from discipleship, leading worship services, organizing retreats for my sorority, serving on different leadership teams, counseling incoming freshmen and so forth. College was definitely the “best four years of her life”, but she is ready for a new adventure, in a new city! A few of her favorite things include creative writing, drinking tea, hiking, biking, photography, making new friends and anything that is remotely adventurous. During the summer of 2013, she served as a city host in Denver and it was during those two and a half months that she fell madly in love with the city and the people she was able to serve and serve alongside of. Heather is excited about being back in Denver and working for CSM as an apprentice; “I’ve missed my street friends and the friends I made at ministry sites. This new season is going to be challenging in a variety of different ways, but the Lord is constant and I am thankful that His plan involved me returning back to the city I love!”
Houston
Haley Stinson
Haley is from Arab, AL and is a recent graduate of Athens State University, where she majored in Behavioral Science. Working with kids is something she has always done and is one of her biggest passions. She worked at a daycare for four years and taught dance during that time as well, so she has been blessed to be able to interact with and teach kids of all ages. Haley has always been an active member of her home church and has been serving as a main member of the praise team since she was 16 years old. Music is another one of her greatest passions in life and she will sing and play guitar at any given chance. Haley is quirky, fun, and loves being around people, so after spending the summer of 2014 in Houston as a city host she fell in love with the nature of CSM’s mission and community efforts and wanted to further her work with them by serving as an apprentice. “Growing up in a small town I didn’t have many opportunities, outside of a few mission trips, to experience other cultures or work with the oppressed. Even though there were needy people all around me, it’s just not something that I was ever involved with. As I have gotten older I realize that God has really created me to love and care for others, and I am so grateful for the work that CSM does and for the opportunity to serve with such an amazing organization. I can’t wait to be involved in a new type of ministry that serves its community with such passion and a true heart for God and His people!” Some of Haley’s favorite scriptures are 2 Timothy 1:7, Isaiah 41:10, and 1 Corinthians 13. LOVE, LOVE, and MORE LOVE! Haley also loves coffee, crafts and cats, and especially the three things combined.
Nashville
Miranda Burr
Miranda up in Newbern, TN. She studied English Literature with a minor in Education at Union University in Jackson, TN. She is currently taking time away from school to pursue other passions, such as urban ministry. While most of her life was spent in Tennessee, the Lord has taken her on several adventures that made her fall in love with the world. When Miranda was 18, she spent my summer in New York City working with international students and learning about house church planting. The following summer, she worked in North Carolina where she taught youth at a camp called Lake Junaluska. Miranda also participated in a short trip to Braunschweig, Germany with Union University, partnering with established college ministries. Her most recent missions experience was with the Center for Student Missions, as she spent this past summer in Philadelphia working as a city host. While there, Miranda fell in love with urban ministry, which spurred on her desire to work as an apprentice in Nashville.
While she continues to fall more in love with big cities, she still loves adventuring out in nature. Miranda enjoys hiking, camping, and anything around trees and water. She also loves making new friends and spending time with people. I am always up for an adventure. “I’m excited to see how the Lord deepens my desire to be a part of what he is doing in this setting.”
New York City
Elizabeth (Liz) Koenig
Liz is a Jersey–girl who grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA. She graduated from Philadelphia University with a degree in Fashion Design and moved to NYC to work in the apparel industry. As she made her home in the Big Apple, the Lord enlarged her heart for urban ministry and she grew to love the city in all of its complexities. Liz has served in various degrees through her church community, however, the Apprenticeship program will be a new horizon for her. To be at CSM is a very special part of her journey and she is excited to see what God has in store.
Ashley Tanner
Ashley was born and raised in Waco, TX. In May of 2013, she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies from Ouachita Baptist University. She served as a City Host in New York City for both spring and summer seasons prior to becoming the Apprentice. Ashley fell in love with New York as a young girl, and she has seen her love grow while living and serving in the city. Ashley looks forward to getting to serve the people of New York in a deeper and more personal way than she experienced as a host. She already has such a heart for the city and feels strongly that this is where God has called her. Ashley hopes to, one day, start a ministry where she can use her passion for cosmetology, students, and refugees to further God’s kingdom. She also loves to travel and hopes to backpack across Europe before she turns thirty.
Philadelphia
Scott Lasley
Scott was born in Charleston, IL, but grew up in Nett Lake, MN. He is the youngest of four siblings. While in Minnesota, he and his family served as missionaries on the Nett Lake Indian Reservation. He is a recent graduate from the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS), with a Bachelor’s Degree in English and a minor in Communication. He will also be pursuing a Master’s degree in Writing Studies from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA.
Scott has been on mission trips that have consisted of hurricane relief work, after–school program planning for children and tutoring junior high/high school and college students. He has also had the pleasure of taking part in a CSM trip to Nashville, TN, and serving as a City Host for CSM in Philadelphia since the summer of 2013. While at UIS, Scott served for 2 years on the leadership team of Christian Student Fellowship and led small groups through CSF as well. He loves his niece and nephews, all things coffee, dogs, people, music, bike rides, reading and movies. “Live passionately and love deeply. My goal is to grow and be in an active pursuit of deeper faith and strong relationships with those whom I get to serve in Philadelphia.”
San Francisco Bay Area
McKenzie Yates
McKenzie is a passionate and enthusiastic Christ follower from Ripon, CA, approximately 2 hours away from San Francisco, where she will be serving this next year. McKenzie has experience with and loves serving at her home church’s various children and young adult ministries. McKenzie graduated from high school in 2012, and after completing a year of college as a photography major, felt the Lord calling her to the mission field! Since leaving college McKenzie has participated in 4 short term mission trips to Baja California, Mexico, and has walked through every door the Lord has opened for her. One of these doors was serving with CSM as a City Host in Washington, DC during the summer of 2014. McKenzie is excited to watch God move in her life over the next eleven months and cannot wait for all that is in store.
In her free time, McKenzie enjoys working on photography, drinking coffee, cooking, adventuring in nature, hula hooping, and digging into scripture.
