Broadview Heights Campus
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High School
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.
Our Objectives:
Faith
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.
Get Connected
Meet Our Team
North Royalton LifeGroup
TUESDAYS | 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Hosted by Ryan & Joelle Cole
12147 York Road, North Royalton, OH 44133
Lauren & Austin Meyer
9 Years
Austin and Lauren met in college in 2014. Lauren moved to Cleveland to complete an internship with CVCYouth. Austin followed her here a few years later and they were married in May of 2019.
Austin works as a project manager for Paul Davis Restoration and Lauren is CVCYouth’s Director of Ministry. They serve together in the North Royalton LifeGroup. Austin and Lauren truly enjoy getting to know students and encouraging them to live new in Christ.
When they aren’t spending time with students they are working on house projects, exploring parts of Cleveland, and trying new restaurants.
Ryan & Joelle Cole
8 years
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.
Stacie brandt
8 Years
Stacie was born and raised in Iowa. She has her Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education from Clarks Summit University. After completing her degree Stacie came to CVC as an intern in the Youth and Missions department in order to learn more about ministry. Stacie now works full time with the Garden Christian Academy as a school administrator. She volunteers with CVCYouth as a LifeGroup leader.
Being a LifeGroup leader means a lot to Stacie because growing up it was her youth leaders that played a huge role in her life, and she wants to do the same for the students of CVC. Stacie loves to serve and help out wherever she can. She is passionate about mentoring students as they make their faith their own. If not at church, Stacie can be found in a coffee shop, with friends playing board games, or at home doing something crafty and enjoying a good action movie.
David Merrill
Assistant Director
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.
Broadview Heights LifeGroup
Wednesdays | 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Hosted by Kyle & Amy Gustafson
8784 Pointe Dr, Broadview Heights, OH 44147
Cory Smock
1 Year
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.
Jack Hopkins
5yrs
Jack Hopkins formerly served as the Assistant Director of Ministry for CVCYouth. Jack graduated from the University of Toledo with a Bachelor’s in Marketing. Growing up in the Cleveland area, CVC became Jack’s home church during his freshman year of high school in 2014 through the youth program. Jack is a game fanatic, anything from the classic board game to sporting events, and is in love with all things Cleveland. Jack has recently started his own media production company “Hopkins Media” where his mission is to: “deliver innovative media marketing strategies that engage, inspire, and convert, driving measurable success for our clients in the attention age”. Through Hopkins Media Jack looks to use the giftings he developed during his time on staff at CVC to transform the digital media space for Christ.
Kyle & Amy Gustafson
13 Years
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.
Nordonia LifeGroup
Thursdays | 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Hosted by Mike & Deja Garcia
8739 Mottl Reserve Dr., Northfield, OH 44067
Joe & Linda Valenti
Forever
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.
Michael & Deja Garcia
4 Years
Michael and Deja are recent Ohio transplants, they recently moved from Portland Oregon but really spent most of their lives in California. Michael is from San Diego, he grew up playing water polo, swimming and surfing. Deja grew up in Central California, 15min outside of Yosemite, and enjoys to run and hike.
Michael and Deja met in 2001 while attending a post-college fellowship group. Michael works as a Pharmacist and Deja as a homemaker and part-time server. They have 3 children together, 2 dogs, and a fish. They have always enjoyed working with the youth, they served as AWANA leaders when their kids were young. When not working they love to be outdoors hiking the metro park trails.
Josh Smosarski
7 Years
Josh was born and raised in Cuyahoga Heights, OH. He grew up at Valley View Village Church and has enjoyed serving children and youth from a young age. Josh graduated from Cuyahoga Heights High School in 2013 and spent two years at Tri-C studying Early Childhood. His hands-on career path leads him to a Maintenance position at the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District. In 2017, Josh married Audrey, together they reside in Cleveland Heights purchasing their first home together in 2019.
Audrey grew up in Southeastern Michigan and attended Kent State University to study Interior Design. After graduating from KSU in 2013 she found the Lord lead her to stay in Cleveland for a full-time design position. Audrey and Josh met while attending Neo Church in Independence. Together they enjoy getting outdoors, tackling house projects, and their newest addition to the family, Remington, a Barque Du Bourbonnais (French Pointer).
Serving at Cuyahoga Valley Church through Impact has been nothing short of blessing these past two years. We’ve enjoyed getting to know students on a deeper level while serving alongside the Hopkins, Fruits, Henards, Cort, and Dahlia!
Dahlia Orth
10 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.
