Robert Steven DuPree

Age: 29 Experience: 6 years Youth Pastor 2 years Childrens Ministry Fill in for worship team at main services Fill in speaking for Pastor at main services Perform various duties usually reserved for Associate Pastor Extra Curricular: Coach local JV Football Coach T-ball Served at sons kindergarten class Spiritual Walk: Began Young Adult Bible study Have a personal mentor Constantly in studies to strengthen my walk with GOD. Current Church: Sierra Lutheran Church 32410 Rockhill Ln Auberry, CA 93602 Church attendance: was 250, now 100 Email: ridad05@yahoo.com

Family Life I am married to my high school sweetheart, Samantha, who assists me in my ministry duties while also teaching dance at the local studio. We have a 6 year old son, Riley, and our newly added daughter, Parker, who was born in October. We currently live in the same town that we grew up in, but God has been calling us to a new life. I like to be involved in the community. Last season, I coached the JV Football team and I currently coach my sons T-ball team. I also like to make weekly appearances at our high school campus. Career I began in Childrens Ministry, teaching 3rd grade and then 5th grade the next year. Our youth director (grades 6-12)position opened up and God called me in. I approached our Lead Pastor at the time and told him what I had heard. 6 months later, I was asked to serve on a volunteer basis. With a mentor, I was the lead in creating the new youth program for our church, which went from 7-15 attendees on our Monday night meetings to 30-60. We continue to grow, with most of our students still coming from unchurched families. 6 months before I was hired full time, I (with the guidance of God) began a Youth band, which led worship in our youth services and occasionally in our main services. I believe that our students must also be fed through extra activities, whether they be topic specific, or just for Christian fellowship. I try to plan an extra activity at least once a month. We have

gone on week long retreats to Morro Bay, CA that included kayaking, reflection time on a private beach and walks along the shops. We come from a low-income community, so I try to keep everything as affordable as possible. I create fundraising opportunities for the students to participate in. I believe in the power of small group studies as ways for students to delve deeper into their relationship with God. While I love my job, God has been calling me for about a year to serve elsewhere. Currently, after a LOT of prayer, God has led me to reach out to other churches. Mexico I was blessed with an amazing opportunity in February to take my Sr. High Group on a mission trip to Mexico. It was the first time I encountered real fear-based animosity in my ministry. I had the support of my Pastor and most of my council, but encountered resistance from an elder. I prayed over the trip and had many do the same. We ended up going and it was one of the best experiences of my students and my life. (We went to a green zone, Vicente Guerrero.) I had many kids find Jesus while outside of their comfort zone in Mexico. Technology I serve in this Ministry with my wife, Samantha. She does all of the technology service for our youth and our church. We have a website for our youth and the church, run fully integrated youth worship and we create videos for the youth and our church. We also have live online streaming worship when needed.

Personal Life/Views I believe in the bible as a whole, as it is worded. I make sure that I have time in the Word every day, although I am not perfect. I also make sure that I am in some sort of bible based study at all times. I have a thirst for knowledge from God. Currently, I am in the book Radical by David Platt. I also follow Mark Driscoll, Larry Osbourne, Charles Stanley, R.C. Sproul, among others. I always make sure that what I read and absorb coincides with the truth that is the Bible.