Our Team Members

Hello everyone!! My name is Sarah Rose, I’m from the Albuquerque District, and this is my 4th year on the CCYM team. I am very excited to meet each and every one of you at camp or at a district event! My favorite Bible verse is Psalm 124:8– “Our help is in the name of the lord who created the heavens and the earth” whenever you feel alone, reach out to God— he’s ALWAYS there for you :)) Anyways I hope to meet you all soon!

Hello everyone! I am Ellice Whiteaker and I am from the Albuquerque District! I have been on the CCYM team since 2019, all my years on the team have been such a blessing to me. CCYM is one of the best things that I ever joined. I go to Sandia High School, and I am in the International Baccalaureate program. My favorite bible verse is Amos 5:24- "But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!". I can't wait to see you at a district event or camp!

Hi guys! My name is Audrey, and I’m starting my second year on the CCYM team. I’m going to be a sophomore in Albuquerque, New Mexico. My favorite bible verse is Ecclesiastes 4:13 - “It is better to be a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king who refuses all advice.” I’m so excited to meet you guys and I hope to see you at camp soon!

Hey y’all! I’m Braeden, and I’m a junior at Lubbock Cooper High School in Lubbock, Texas. This will be my third year on the CCYM team. My favorite bible verse is Philippians 4:13- “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” I’m super excited to see y’all at camp!

I have served in Youth Ministry as a volunteer or paid staff member in both Illinois and New Mexico since the year 2000. Born in a small town in Illinois, I have been involved in church activities since I was very young and do not remember a time when God was not a part of my life growing up. I moved to New Mexico in 2004 and can pinpoint the re-dedication of my life to Jesus as an adult at a CCYM weekend in November of 2005. What a blessing it is for me to now serve alongside the young people of the New Mexico Conference!

Hello, I am Kelly Jackson Brooks, I hold a Doctorate of Ministry, a Master’s degree in Counseling, and a Master’s degree in Divinity. I am the Co-Founder of Chrysalis Consulting Center for Clergy (Chrysalisconsultingcenter.org), an ordained Deacon in the United Methodist Church, and currently, I serve as the Executive Pastor with Central United Methodist Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LPCC) and I have served as the Chair of the New Mexico Counseling Association and the Chair of the New Mexico Association for the Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling, along with other community and United Methodist Church faith-based boards. Involvement in the spiritual, religious, and mental health fields as they relate to community and connection are the foundations and passions of my work.

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Hello! I am Rev. Ross Whiteaker, CCYM's Albuquerque District Coordinator, and I am currently the Senior Pastor at Central United Methodist Church in Albuquerque, NM. I have served churches in Las Cruces, NM; Abilene, TX; Denver, CO; and served as the Youth Minister at First UMC in Carlsbad, NM for 7 years prior to going to seminary at the Iliff School of Theology in Denver. I am incredibly proud of my family: my wife, Michelle, and my two daughters, Ellice and Emmery. I love serving with students and believe that their faith and their voice matter today possibly more than anytime in recent history.

Hi, I’m Matt Hemmingson. I have been a Youth Pastor at the First United Methodist Church in Eunice, NM since 2015. I joined the CCYM team in 2020 and have enjoyed it so much! My favorite bible verse is from 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

‭‭Our God is a loving God, and we should always rejoice!! Can’t wait to meet y’all, and may God bless each and everyone of you!