OVERFLOW The Youth is our youth ministry here @ Grace Fellowship Church. There is an intentional biblical meaning behind the name, taken from "My cup overflows with blessings" (Psalm 23:5) . Our hope is that the time spent at church, playing games and taking trips together will be a time of filling up the hearts of our students with God's love and grace. We so desire to see it OVERFLOW into every aspect of their lives! DeepEnd is the name of our Wednesday night meetings where we will be diving deeper into the concepts we learn about on Sundays.
If you're a High School Student and looking for community please know that our doors are always open & we'd love to get to know you, or if you haven't been by or we haven't seen you in a while, please stop in and say hello again!
Please take time to look around our website for event information, video blogs, weekly teaching blogs, event information, special documents and much more. If you have any questions or want to know more about our ministry please contact Chad Merrihew @...
ph: 714.549.8599 ext. 28
fx: 714.918.8605
email: cmerrihew@gracefellowshipchurch.org
CHAD MERRIHEW - PASTOR OF YOUTH MINISTRIES, 6-12 GRADES
Grade of the small group you lead: I have the privilege of pouring into our OVERFLOW volunteer, staff, and student leaders.
What do you do for work: I am a youth pastor for OVERFLOW youth ministries.
Describe your perfect day: Sleep-in until 9, have coffee next to a wood burning fireplace @ a cabin in the mountains on Christmas day with all my family.
Tell us a story of something you have seen God do through your ministry with HS kids:
iPhone or Droid: Is that even an appropriate question? An iPhone of course.
Country or Rock:
Beach or Mountains: Mountains in the winter time.
In-N-Out or Chipotle: There’s no question it’s In-N-Out. I eat there with students
Games or Small Groups: I love games because it stretches students outside of their comfort zones.
Everyone should read: Matthew 22:36-39
In the next 5 years, I will: Be here @ OVERFLOW watching students come back as volunteers!
CARA DOMENE - HS FEMALE ASSISTANT
Grade of the small group you lead: Freshmen Girls/ Leadership Team
What do you do for work: Grace Fellowship Church/ REI Customer Service
Describe your perfect day: Hiking, kayaking, running, biking (being active) somewhere in nature. There has to be a fire involved, possibly a picnic, family, popcorn, chips and guacamole, friends and some dancing!! Ending the night reading a book.
Tell us a story of something you have seen God do through your ministry with HS kids: This is not an isolated moment, but an example of many...I met with one of my girls, who lived with me in Germany and now attends BIOLA. She is facing some financial problems, but instead of being worried or blaming God, she looks at me and says, “I can say for the first time I really met God this summer. I trust He is in control and He has a plan for my life.” My experience in youth ministry has nothing to do with me, but God working in students’ lives. I have just been blessed to witness God’s hand at work. All I do is be consistent and try to be as present as possible and God does the rest!
iPhone or Droid: Dumb Phone!
Country or Rock: Easy, Country
Beach or Mountains: Hard one, Mountains
In-N-Out or Chipotle: In-N-Out because that’s what a hamburgers all about!
Games or Small Groups: Small group games
Everyone should read: Mark of the Lion Series by Francine Rivers
In the next 5 years, I will: be living in New York, married to Tim Tebow, popping out his babies.
MARK SHAFFER - OVERFLOW VARSITY (SENIOR MEN'S SMALL GROUP LEADER)
Grade of the small group you lead: Senior Boys
What do you do for work: Sales Manager for a Title Company
Describe your perfect day: Spending time with my wife and kids on a beach.
Tell us a story of something you have seen God do through your ministry with HS kids: I have 6 former students of mine serving in full time ministry positions in the United States and abroad. I have great relationships with former students who were in youth groups of mine in Southern California and in Northern California. I have been involved in High School ministry for many years and absolutely love helping students become rooted and grounded in the Word of God and growing in their relationship with him 3 John 4.
iPhone or Droid: Droid
Country or Rock: Country/Southern Rock
Beach or Mountains: Beach
In-N-Out or Chipotle: In-N-Out
Games or Small Groups: Small Groups
Everyone should read: Wild at Heart by John Eldridge
In the next 5 years, I will: Hopefully be in Heaven…but if I am still on earth then I will hopefully still be serving in High School ministry!
KIM ARMANDO - SENIOR GIRL'S SMALL GROUP LEADER
Grade of the small group you lead: Senior Girls
What do you do for work: Outreach Coordinator for the Orange County Rescue Mission
Describe your perfect day: I would hang out with my closest friends, get coffee, eat Yogurtland, and laugh a ton!
Tell us a story of something you have seen God do through your ministry with HS kids: I have seen my senior girls take on leadership and love on underclassmen so well. I have seen them welcome in the new kids before I even get a chance.
iPhone or Droid: iPhone
Country or Rock: Country
Beach or Mountains: Both, for different reasons!
In-N-Out or Chipotle: In-N-Out!
Games or Small Groups: Small Groups
Everyone should read: Radical by David Platt
In the next 5 years, I will: be married and a stay-at-home mom or pretty close to it.
ANDREW JANZEN - JUNIOR MEN'S SMALL GROUP LEADER
Grade of the small group you lead: Junior Guys
What do you do for work: City of Torrance Fire Fighter
Describe your perfect day: Being active, enjoying the company of family and friends.
Tell us a story of something you have seen God do through your ministry with HS kids:
iPhone or Droid: iPhone
Country or Rock: Both
Beach or Mountains: Both
In-N-Out or Chipotle: Chipotle
Games or Small Groups: Both (Can’t choose)
Everyone should read: Bible, Crazy Love, Wild at Heart
In the next 5 years, I will: Not sure, but I am excited for what God has. Family-wife-kids-career success
SEAN AFABLE - JUNIOR MEN'S SMALL GROUP LEADER
Grade of the small group you lead: Junior Boys
What do you do for work: I am a film and television actor. I am also producing, writing, and directing my own projects now!
Describe your perfect day: I am invited to the Academy Awards. I bring my closest family and friends. I win an Oscar and give Jesus Christ the Glory. Then have a feast with all my family and friends.
Tell us a story of something you have seen God do through your ministry with HS kids: Four years ago my parents divorced. One of the hardest and most difficult and, naturally, confusing moments of my life. But God strategically placed amazing mentors in my life to help me navigate that confusing time. A few years later, I am working at Grace and Mark Page tells me that sometimes God uses the pain that He’s allowed us to experience for the purpose and ability to empathize with others who will go through and experience the same or similar circumstances. Since that talk, God has brought along several students and even friends outside of Grace that I have had the honor and privilege of walking alongside of and being there for them in the midst of their confusing, frustration, and pain. I am a broken, hurting (at times), and weak person, but I am humbled and blessed that God would see fit to use me. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
iPhone or Droid: Android...Thank you for turn-by-turn navigation! Oh and 4G!
Country or Rock: Rock
Beach or Mountains: Both
In-N-Out or Chipotle: Both
Games or Small Groups: Small Groups...I truly value the time spent going deep with these young men. Unless we’re playing something manly --like basketball. “Where 2 on 2 or 3 on 3 are gathered, there is Jesus in the midst, refereeing.”-Bible (athletes version...I might be paraphrasing)
Everyone should read: Wild at Heart by John Eldridge. In all seriousness, I strongly recommend this book to all men of all ages! Life and perspective changer. I learned so much about myself and true manhood.
In the next 5 years, I will: win an Oscar and be married!
STACY FILLINGIM - JUNIOR GIRL'S SMALL GROUP LEADER
Grade of the small group you lead: 11th Grade Girls
What do you do for work: Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District and R&D Kitchen
Describe your perfect day: Early morning run, breakfast with Steve at Lucille’s in For Collins, CO. Climb a 14er, get home and watch the Lakers beat the Heat while eating a BBQ dinner. Then finish the night with frozen yogurt and snuggling with Steve, watching a movie.
Tell us a story of something you have seen God do through your ministry with HS kids: I have had the honor of helping students work through making their faith personal. High school is where faith starts to move from the head to the heart and I love being able to witness and spur that on!
iPhone or Droid: iPhone
Country or Rock: Country!
Beach or Mountains: Mountains
In-N-Out or Chipotle: In-N-Out
Games or Small Groups: Small Groups
Everyone should read: Redeeming Love and Mark of the Lion Series by Francine Rivers
In the next 5 years, I will: be enjoying the 5th year of my marriage and hopefully be pregnant with our 1st kid!
STEVE FILLINGIM - SOPHOMORE MEN'S SMALL GROUP LEADER
Grade of the small group you lead: Sophomore Men
What do you do for work: Fireman
Describe your perfect day: Climbing a 14,000 ft. peak with my beautiful wife, Stacy.
Tell us a story of something you have seen God do through your ministry with HS kids: There is nothing more rewarding than seeing a teenager begin to take responsibility for their faith and make it their own.
iPhone or Droid: iPhone (prefer “No Phone”)
Country or Rock: I like both kinds of music, country and western!
Beach or Mountains: Mountains
In-N-Out or Chipotle: Double-Double Animal Style w/ a Chocolate Shake....x2!
Games or Small Groups: Small Groups
Everyone should read: The Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
In the next 5 years, I will: ride a bull.
ERICA MERRIHEW - SOPHOMORE GIRL'S SMALL GROUP LEADER
Grade of the small group you lead: Sophomore Girls
What do you do for work: Disneyland Performer
Describe your perfect day: Wake up to homemade banana smoothie, made by my dear husband. Following a healthy breakfast, I would be given a blank check to go shopping for clothes. After my new purchases, I would hop on a plane to San Francisco. There I would participate in a flash mob. After my hard work of dancing, I would go back to our hotel and get a make-over overlooking the city. Chad and I would hop on a trolly to our elegant dinner. The last stop would be going to Yogurtland, then hop on the plane and head back to a massage waiting for me at home to end the evening.
Tell us a story of something you have seen God do through your ministry with HS kids:
Watching the students have a hart for the broken and lost. Watching them give up their belongings to the poor and take ownership of their group.
iPhone or Droid: iPhone
Country or Rock: Disney Music
Beach or Mountains: Beach
In-N-Out or Chipotle: Chipotle
Games or Small Groups: Games
Everyone should read: Crazy Love by Francis Chan
In the next 5 years, I will: be changing diapers of baby #1 and possibly baby #2 on the way. I will still be committed to Starbucks and sour candy. We will go on vacations with family and friends.
