Mission

To provide a launching point for youth into a lifetime involvement of SERVING JESUS through missions and ministry by connecting them with the mission field of TODAY!

Vision

Our purpose is to CHALLENGE students, ages 10-20, to give their life for a CAUSE that is greater than anything they may have previously thought of or imagined.  The CAUSE is the proclamation of the gospel of JESUS CHRIST to the whole world. We are intentionally seeking out students who are ready to go far beyond anything their iPhones, XBoxes, girlfriends, boyfriends, sports, clubs or even their college plans could ever offer them!  The CHALLENGE is for students to live an Acts 1:8 lifestyle.

Plenary Speakers

Our opening event will take place on Friday night, with three additional events throughout the day on Saturday. You don’t want to miss a single minute since you will get to hear dynamic speakers, experience amazing worship, and be motivated by student testimonies.

Hung Thach

Hung Thach

Team Leader, Cru

Hung and his family fled from war-torn South Vietnam in 1975, came to the United States, and was sponsored by a local Church in Chattanooga, TN. He and his wife Angela have been married for 27 years and have three children, Caleb, Brooke, and Jericho. They have served with Cru for the past 25 years, and Hung currently serves as the Team Leader for Cru’s High School ministry in Los Angeles.

They are committed to reaching students in some of the most underserved areas of Los Angeles Their passion is to help bring the love and truth of Jesus to teenagers around their city and the world. Their family embraces the messiness of ministry and loves sharing life with the staff, college students, and teens which they have the privilege of serving and leading.

Avery Stafford headshot

Avery Stafford

Lead Pastor, Common Ground Church

Avery Stafford is Lead Pastor at Common Ground Church in Beaverton, Oregon, and an adjunct faculty member at Multnomah Biblical Seminary in Portland. He is a graduate of Abilene Christian University (1992) and holds an MA in Pastoral Studies and a DMin from Multnomah Biblical Seminary (1998, 2020). His book, When Collaboration Mirrors the Trinity, was published by Wipf & Stock in 2021. He is also an award-winning songwriter and music recording artist with six albums to his credit. Avery is married to Nina (34 yrs.) and they have 3 adult children.

Dez Johnston

Dez Johnston

Alpha Youth Director – Europe, Middle East & North Africa, Alpha

Heavy weight, tattooed, bearded, follower of Jesus, who loves young people, his family, and sunglasses!

Avery Stafford headshot

Avery Stafford

Lead Pastor, Common Ground Church

Avery Stafford is Lead Pastor at Common Ground Church in Beaverton, Oregon, and an adjunct faculty member at Multnomah Biblical Seminary in Portland. He is a graduate of Abilene Christian University (1992) and holds an MA in Pastoral Studies and a DMin from Multnomah Biblical Seminary (1998, 2020). His book, When Collaboration Mirrors the Trinity, was published by Wipf & Stock in 2021. He is also an award-winning songwriter and music recording artist with six albums to his credit. Avery is married to Nina (34 yrs.) and they have 3 adult children.

Shelbi Shutt

Shelbi Shutt

A Jesus Church, Pastor of Teaching and Gather Formation

Over the last 8 years Shelbi has worked as a pastor of youth and spiritual formation and she currently serves as the pastor of teaching and gather formation at A Jesus Church in Portland, Oregon having the opportunity to share her unfolding story of steadfast hope with thousands of people across the country. In all she does, Shelbi is passionate about seeing people come alive to the power of God’s presence in and through their weaknesses.

Made possible with the support of our generous sponsors

multnomah university
CRU
national network of youth ministries

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