High School LifeGroups are a place for students in 9th–12th Grade to focus on building faith and leaning into the family of believers in the homes of caring adults.
We believe that it is vital for every person to make a personal decision to follow Jesus Christ. In high school ministry we focus on the gospel and challenge the students to take the truths of the gospel and allow it to change their lives.
Family
When you come to High School LifeGroups, you belong and you are welcome! We want every High School student to be a part of a caring community of people—people who will be their friend no matter what. Friendship that turns in to family. We work to help students develop healthy, Christ-centered, friendships. In High School LifeGroups, we want to take those friendships a step further so that they become more like family.
For around 17 years, Ryan and Joelle have been actively involved in the life and ministry of CVC. During this current season of life, they have children participating in the high school ministry. As a result, it seems only natural to dive headlong into student ministries to help wherever we can. Ryan and Joelle live just off York Road in North Royalton and operate a franchise of Paul Davis Restoration. They are thankful for the flexibility our vocation gives them to serve the students and families of CVC. Their greatest desire is to demonstrate and guide students (and their families) toward an authentic and passionate pursuit of Christ. Ryan and Joelle believe this is best accomplished by “living life together.” Working with students at CVC allows them to walk alongside students and assist their parents in developing a deep faith.
David serves as the Assistant Director for CVCYouth. David graduated from Toccoa Falls College with a Bachelor’s degree in Youth Ministry. David grew up as a PK in the Toledo area, but has had many places he’s called home. Including Toccoa, GA, Beulah Beach Camp in Vermilion, OH,and now CVC! In his free time, David enjoys getting in a round of disc golf, binge watching YouTube, playing either video or board games with friends/family, or huddling up on the couch with his fiance Kyra crocheting all sorts of crazy creatures! Some of David’s key ministry areas include serving MS students through Collide, investing in the students of BBH schools through partnership with CampusLife, as well as assisting in the planning and facilitating of broader CVCYouth events/retreats.
Kyle and Amy Gustafson have been leading an High School Bible Study since they married in 2012. They are both pharmacists and love to travel; you will often find Kyle in his ‘natural habitat’ behind a camera lens! They have 2 adorable dogs and two sweet little kids, Ezra and Lydia. Their two ministry loves are CVCYouth and Missions. They are passionate about equipping students to study the Bible and teaching the whole narrative of Scripture. Kyle and Amy are also the leaders of CVC’s medical mission trips to Ghana, West Africa, and have been part of a team-building a hospital there since 2012.
Cory Smock started attending CVC in November, 2022 and became a member a few months later. He had previously served as a Youth Leader for 3 years prior to moving home to Ohio.
Cory has a heart for students who have tough theological questions and desires to guide them with gentleness and sound doctrine. He feels that there are a lot of distractions and temptations that students face and wants to serve and demonstrate what it looks like to be a follower of Jesus Christ.
Cory works as a 3D Artist in the video game industry. In his spare time, Cory likes to study scripture, play guitar, and enjoy the outdoors with friends.
Alia grew up in Greenville OH and graduated from Cedarville University in December 2023 with a degree in Youth Ministry. She moved to the area in January 2024 to work for Greater Cleveland Youth for Christ. Alia now lives in Broadview Heights and is the Campus Life site director for Brecksville-Broadview Heights. She loves working with the BBH middle and high school students and has felt blessed to serve with the Broadview Heights HS lifegroup. Alia enjoys thrifting, Pinterest, and hanging out with friends.
Joe has served at CVC for over 15 years preaching, leading worship, and caring for the students of CVCYouth. Joe and his wife Linda met at CVC and enjoy laughing, boating, watching The Voice, and hanging out with their two kids – Grace and Logan. Joe holds his undergrad degree from Balwin-Wallace College and an MA in Theology from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary and enjoys reading, fishing, hunting, good BBQ, country music, water skiing, adventures, and live theater. Joe’s happy place is with his family out on the open water.
Dahlia Orth
11 Years
Dahlia is a born and raised Jersey girl who loves the beach and traveling the world. She’s a huge fan of spontaneous dance parties and will never turn down a coffee and donut date. Dahlia moved to Cleveland in 2014 to be a part of the CVCYouth internship program and complete her master’s degree. She fell in love with CVCYouth so much during her internship year that she decided to stick around and has now served in student ministries for over 5 years. Dahlia served on staff at CVC in a variety of roles before starting her own business and taking that full-time. Dahlia is passionate about seeing students come to know Christ and loves investing in the lives of high school girls.
Kaylee Rauch serves at Youth for Christ as the Campus Life director for Independence. She has served on staff for two years in the Campus Life ministry. Kaylee is a member at Kings Cross Church downtown but serves through CVC to bring students to the local church. Kaylee resides in Broadview Heights but is a huge fan of Cleveland. When Kaylee isn’t serving in youth ministry she’s likely working out, visiting a coffee shop or reading a book. Kaylee’s number one passion is helping people follow Jesus.