2012 Intern Team

We are thrilled to once again have our summer internship program in full swing this summer! The interns always bring a fresh dose of energy and ideas into our offices, and they get to learn a lot as well. Let's meet them!

Jason Barnette

My name is Jason Barnette and I am a grateful believer in Jesus Christ. I love the mission of Kingdom Causes and am blessed to have a internship with them. I have a beautiful wife name Kim Barnette and four kids that serve Christ. I got connected with KCB through the homeless breakfast at Calvary Baptist church in Bellflower, where I am a leader and member. I love serving our neighbors that don't currently have a address. This summer, I am excited to have the chance to do some case management in human services, which is my field of study. I'm looking forward to a memorable summer with KCB!

Janet Melara 

Hello, my name is Janet Melara. I live in Pico Rivera with my family. I have two sisters and one brother, and three nephews. My family is very important to me and I enjoy spending time with them. A family friend invited us to Bellflower Brethren Church about 19 years ago. We have attended there ever since. Most of my time is spent in Bellflower because of my church. Currently, I attend the University of Long Beach, pursing a Bachelor in Social Work. I am excited for fall semester 2012 when I will begin the program. During my free time I like to hangout with friends, watch movies, play basketball and volunteer. I enjoy serving others in any possible way. I look forward to what God has in store for Bellflower and me!

Jannelle Aguirre

In this new opportunity of interning for Kingdom Causes Bellflower, I am looking forward to coming alongside the team and contributing all of the gifts I have been given to help further their mission. I believe that God knew what He was doing when he paired my Public Relations major and Business minor, talents, and love for people, with the KCB team to help show compassion and love to the community. These next nine weeks are going to fly by, but they are going to be packed with rewarding challenges and character building relationships. I cannot wait!

Cori Aguayo

Hey there!

My name is Cori Aguayo. I am 22 years old currently attending Biola University with hopes in graduating next year with a B.A. in Communication Studies. I have grown up connected to the Bellflower community attending Hosanna Christian Fellowship, which ironically is a few doors down from KCB (I had no idea until I walked in for my interview). My focus this summer will be on the kids programming in the community and event planning. I know that this summer is going to be full of challenges, but at the same time I know that I  will learn so muchand be blessed by the entire experience and all the people I meet.Here are some fun facts about me: love Jesus. I am obsessed with Black Forest Gummy Bears (especially the green ones), pistachio ice cream, and Cherry Coke. I have a cat named Darci, whom I adore. I am scared of sharks and Chuck E.Cheese. I mainly listen to country music.

Well, that about sums me up!

Michelle Roberts

Hello Everyone!

I am excited to introduce myself as KCB's summer intern for Community Event Planning! I am originally a suburban, AZ girl who developed a heart for the city & I'm seeking to live out the love of Jesus in my community. I graduated two years ago with a Bachelor of Sociology degree from Biola University & I've been working for the last year at a day program for adults with developmental disabilities called InJOY Life Resources, Inc. here in Bellflower. As the Lord has put together the pieces of my story, I've found that I absolutely love working with the more marginalized members of our society. This work is so transformative and I feel that I constantly see the Gospel in a new light  as I view others and myself in light of the love of Jesus. In August I will begin pursuing my Masters of Social Work at USC and I hope to eventually open my own nonprofit organization to serve vulnerable women in my community. I have so much to learn from KCB this summer and I feel so privileged to be part of an organization that intentionally considers its methods in light of Jesus' ministry. May He have all the glory!

Jen Willis

Hi my name is Jen and I am one of six Kingdom Causes summer interns and I couldn’t be more excited. I am currently a junior at Biola University majoring in Psychology with a minor in Intercultural Studies. My career goal is to impact the world for Jesus Christ however that looks either by doing missions or by studying psychology further. I want to see people’s lives changed by the Gospel like it has so drastically changed mine. I wanted to do this internship because I believe in the mission of Kingdom Causes I love Bellflower and when I am here I feel at home even though I am from Norwalk I have spent a good portion of my life in Bellflower I have been going to the same church here for almost all of my life.  I am excited to be able to help/plan some community events and get to know my neighbors better.

Community Fellow: Rob

Last, but not least, our fourth community fellow... Rob VerWys!

Well hi there! My name is Robert VerWys and I am one of the new Community Fellows.

I come from the far off land of Michigan, but now have taken Southern California and specifically the Eucalyptus neighborhood as my new home! Kris and I moved into 16111 Eucalyptus last week and have been busy settling in and trying to make it feel “homey.” I am extremely excited for the coming year with my compatriots, let me tell you why…

I am 21 years old and a recent graduate of Azusa Pacific University, where I received a bachelor’s degree in social work. Through my collegiate experience, I had the privilege to both study and live in South Africa for approximately 6 months. It was there that God highlighted within me a passion for learning how to love communities, and do so in a way that empowers rather than disenables. This shift added an entirely new understanding to the Gospel and what it means to desire “Thy Kingdom come” in the present and for an entire community. I came to realize that as rewarding and fruitful as the time had felt to me personally, I was only beginning to scratch the surface in my understanding of the Zulu culture. Without a deep and comprehensive understanding of a cultures’ paradigm, it is difficult to know how to love a community best. Out of that tension was borne the realization that I don’t strive to love and serve God and my community that way when I am in my HOME culture. THAT is exactly the reason why I feel God drew me to the Community Fellows program. God is doing some uniquely beautiful things within the city of Bellflower and I can’t believe I have the chance to learn and take part! I am called to that life, here and now, directly where I am.

I am thrilled to commit this next year to being a present learner in the Eucalyptus neighborhood! I eagerly anticipate the coming joys, struggles and growing pains that come along with the territory. I aim to celebrate and share a glimpse of what God is doing in the neighborhood with you all at least once every month. To God be the glory!

-Rob

Community Fellow: Laura

Meet Laura Dumas, another 2012-2013 Community Fellow!

Hello! My name is Laura Dumas and I am originally from Northern California. I have spent the last three years in the L.A. area which was quite an adjustment after growing up in the country, but I have come to love it here :) 

I graduated from Biola University in May of 2012 with a degree in intercultural studies which I hope to use overseas eventually. I have been involved in various homeless ministries throughout high school and college and have always had a deep concern for those living on the "outside" of society. 

When I heard about Kingdom Causes, I got very excited as it seems like an amazing opportunity to both learn as well as to live out what I have been learning. I have a strong desire to see people live life the way God created it to be lived and to see them recognize their inherent worth as his children and I am looking forward to learning how to do this through Kingdom Causes this year! 

Community Fellow: Kris

Meet another one of our 2012-2013 Community Fellows... Kris Cohen!

My name is Kris Cohen. I am 22 years old and a recent grad from Biola University with a B.A. in Philosophy. I spent the first 9 years of my life in Bellflower, CA. I then moved all the way to La Palma, CA, right in between the cities of Cypress and Cerritos (it was quite the journey!). I grew up in a home where following Jesus was modeled every day. My parents are committed followers of Jesus and have shown me since I was young how to live a Godly life. I currently fellowship at Bellflower Brethren Church and have been an attendee since I was in the womb. Since my early youth, I have been actively involved in my church: playing drums, being on leadership teams, etc. I also love to be very active. My favorite sport, currently, is the invigorating game of Ultimate Frisbee. Sounds intense, right? Although throwing a frisbee is typically a very laid-back activity, ultimate frisbee can be an extremely competitive sport.

I applied for the Community Fellows Program because God has been tugging at my heart and showing me the importance of "loving your neighbor as yourself." Well, who is my neighbor? I think my neighbor, at least, are those people I come into contact with every day. This program is focusing in on this sort of practice: to love your neighbor by having a missional mindset in your everyday activities. I am very excited to be able to be a part of what God is doing in Bellflower, specifically in the Eucalyptus neighborhood, where I will be residing. My prayer is that I can grow and learn through this experience to be able to live in such a way that is representative of the Kingdom life, in Jesus, which we were meant to live and to invite other people around me to join in. 

Community Fellow: Rachel

We are excited to have four brand new "Community Fellows" living in Bellflower! This is a brand new program in which these young leaders will gain practical, hands-on experience in community development as they live in under-resourced neighborhoods in Bellflower. The next few posts will introduce the four 2012-2013 Community Fellows! 

First, I'm happy to introduce Rachel De Los Reyes!

Hello There!

First off the basics.

23 years old. Recent graduate of Biola University. Originally hailing from San Diego, CA. Loves God. Loves people. Loves Art.

That in a nutshell is who I am. I think you may now be wondering what drew me to this fellowship program. Without rambling and going off on wild tangents (which I usually do), I will you tell why.

It’s quite simple. I LOVE people. I enjoy meeting others and getting to know their story, their gifts, and their hopes and dreams. Things that make them unique.

I have always been a ‘people person.’ But my time in college really fostered this passion in me, I got the opportunity to counsel and mentor young adults through university and church programs. As time went on I realized that this just wasn’t a fun thing to do, it was a calling.

And on top of that I love the city. The city is such a unique, diverse, and historic place. Growing up in cities in the Pacific Northwest and Southern California, I was amazed by its beauty. Not just the landscape or the architecture. I was intrigued by the culture and how much diversity could fit into such a compacted space. There were so many cultures and people to experience. The different foods, languages, and customs. I loved it all. And that love and passion still grows to this day.

But despite the city’s magnificence there is a dark side. It is because of man’s sin that division exists within the city due to cultural, political, and social movements. These movements lead to boundaries of race, class, and beliefs. What is left is a divided and ultimately broken city. I believe that Christ longs to transform and reform the hearts of his people. I look forward at the opportunity to work with like-minded people to provide a glimpse of reconciliation, hope, and healing that comes from the gospel.

In the next year, I am excited to gain hands on experience doing urban ministry and learning what it looks like to truly love my neighbor. I am looking forward to being stretched relationally, emotionally, and spiritually.

So I think that’s enough about me! As for hobbies I love film, photography, reading, writing, hanging out at the beach, hiking, trying new foods, fawning over cute dogs, puns, making people laugh, watching cheesy dance/singing reality shows, coming up with witty Facebook statuses, instagramming (yes, it is now a verb), and most of all exploring this wonderful city!

-Rachel