Student Ministry Staffers

Below you will learn a little bit about all of our Student Ministry Staffers. We are currently adding information so please come back and visit again to learn more about who is working with your Student!

Gabe Bizeau--Real Talk Small Group Leader
Gabe and his wife Sasha moved to Tillamook in 2007 and have fallen in love with the area and the people.  He has been involved in ministry for many years working with kids of all ages.  Gabe loves the outdoors and seeing God in creation in activities like backpacking, cycling and climbing. He is the proud father of two little girls.

Sasha Bizeau--Real Talk Small Group Leader
Sasha is married to Gabe and they have two girls together. Their family moved to the area in 2007, but grew up in Newberg, OR. Sasha loves to enjoy God‘s beautiful creation by camping, hiking and rock climbing. She also enjoys traveling, cooking and ping pong. She is from a family of 7 children and has 4 siblings between the ages of 14 and 21 so this age group is close to her heart. She is excited to see Christ work in the hearts of our Sr. High students!

Carol Elms--Jr. High Discipleship Training Teacher
In 2005, Carol and her husband John had the privilege to "retire" to Tillamook County to develop a new ministry with law enforcement chaplaincy.  Little did they know, how much God was blessing them.  Carol fell in love with the beauty Tillamook County and the people who live here.  First Christian Church quickly became their home.  After 30 years as an early childhood professional, it is a joy for her to move up to student ministries.  It is exciting to see the students growing in the Lord.  They are trusting in the Lord and learning to lean on His Word.  They will be our future leaders, great and strong leaders! 

"The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old." (Proverbs 20:29)

On a personal note . . . Carol has been married to John for 39 years.  They are blessed with two children, JohnMichael and Rebecca,  and two precious granddaughters, Christina & Grace. She love to read, play games, and travel!

John Elms--Jr. High Discipleship Training Teacher
John first accepted the Lord as his Savior in 1951.  The journey of building a closer relationship with God has been very exciting at times and lots of work at others.  Over the years working with age groups of youth from college career to infants has been a real joy for him.  This has including teaching classes at summer camp in New Mexico and being a part of the college career class with Carol after they were married.  As JohnMichael and Rebecca (son & daughter) grew up they were often involved in their church activities from preschool to high school.  This included trips to Mexico, camping retreats, skiing trips to Mt. Baker and Mt. Bachelor.  It is a blessings and encouragement to see the students grow spiritually and physically as they mature in the Lord.

Brad Gerards--Real Talk Small Group Leader
Brad has a long history of student ministry and worship ministry, so he is excited that this position is right up his alley. Brad has been married to Steph and have two boys. During the day, Brad teaches business and computers at Neah-Kah-Nie High School, but the best part of his day is coming home to his family. In his free-time, Brad loves to hang out with his boys, go fishing, camping, or hiking, discuss politics, or learn more about history (especially WWII).

Steph Gerards--Real Talk Small Group Leader
Steph is so happy to be back working with senior high students again after a 4 year hiatus from student ministry. During her hiatus, she has been busy raising her two boys, as a stay-at-home mom. Steph is married to Brad and they live in Tillamook. Steph loves to spend time with her family, scrapbook, sing Broadway in the car (much to my children’s chagrin), and read Karen Kingsbury novels. In her “former life,” Steph was a nurse but now only uses her skills to kiss boo-boos and apply Band-Aids to little knees. Steph is looking forward to bringing worship to the students of our church.

Scott Lerwick--Pastor of Student Development
Scott is passionate about student ministry. He has been in full time student ministry for 6 years and loves to see students become serious about their walk with Christ and to see students give their lives to Christ for the first time! Scott is happily married to Joy Lerwick, together they have two kids. Some of Scott's hobbies include: woodworking, backpacking, whitewater rafting, and hanging out with his family. If you would like to contact Scott feel free to send him an e-mail @ scott@drivenstudentministries.org

Joy Lerwick--Administrative Assistant & Webmaster
Joy is married to Scott (The pastor of student development) and together have two kids with one on the way. She has been working with students for 7 years. She is also learning how to manage this website. She is excited about getting to know students and helping them to grow their relationship with the Lord! Some of Joy’s hobbies include: scrapbooking, hiking, reading, and spending time with her family.  If you would like to contact Joy feel free to send her an e-mail @ joy@drivenstudentministries.org


Chelsea Russell--Real Talk Small Group Leader

Philip Russell--Real Talk Small Group Leader