The Awaken Crew
Andrew York
Hometown: Aurora, Colorado
Aloha. My name is Andrew York… I’m originally from Colorado – but have recently started claiming Kona as home, I figured it was about time since I’ve been here for almost 10 years. Yes, DTS…completely changed the course of my life. Since that amazing school back in 2000, the LORD’s given me a heart to help mobilize young people into missions. I’ve had the privilege of being a part of some amazing bringing-the-kingdom-on-earth trips around the world, and the honor of seeing students grab hold of their God-given destinies. Around 7 years ago, during a trip to Korea, I began to feel God’s heartbeat for the nation of Korea – specifically the North. I long to see revival take place, and reconciliation occur in that country. Revival truly is on the horizon, and believe in my lifetime, I’ll see the walls of that place come down.
I like music. I like film. I like mountains. I like coffee. I like killing cockroaches…and I’m madly in love with Christ.
Latest Posts:
Haley Austin
Hometown: Sacramento, California
Hey friends, I’m in this mission thing for good! I’m down to go wherever the good Lord calls me, but my heart specifically burns for the homeless. I plan to someday start a ministry that will bring Jesus to these people in a way the world has never seen. I have a passion for painting, journaling, and I roughly consume 5-6 cups of coffee a day. Bring on the summer!!
Christer Bergus
Hometown: Gig Harbor, Washington
My name is Christer Bergus and I’m from Gig Harbor, Washington. I’m 20 years old and I have been with YWAM for a year now. I’m falling in love with the Lord more each day and I have a huge passion for seeing myself and others become more intimate with God. I want to see a generation rise up that all know that the Lord wants a personal relationship with them and for them to pursue it with a fiery passion. The Lord has placed a great expectancy on me for the summer DTS.
Chris Chun
Hometown: Fullerton, California
Hey Kids!!! I am Christopher Chun from California. I am the fourth cousin of Kobe Bryant (Scap!!!!). I am ready to run straight to the Lord’s heart with our new family and see revival within the areas we go through. All about Jesus and His heart.
Samuel Choi
Hometown: Red Bank, New Jersey
Samuel Choi, or Sam, is a 21 year old Korean-American male. Sam was born in Red Bank, New Jersey and has traveled around the states and lived in 2 other countries because of his Fathers occupation as an Army Chaplain. He did his DTS in the Summer of 2008 and has been staffing since for the past year and a half. Recently, he has just finished staffing a Call2All DTS and took a team to India and China. Sam has a passion for seeing young men and women released into the 10/40 window as a part of the Back to Jerusalem movement.
Chase Cofer
Hometown: Bradenton, Florida
I recently just graduated from the University of Florida, go gators! Jesus continues to change my life as I walk with Him, and I love the opportunity to serve Him here at YWAM. I love sports, traveling, anything outdoors and nice southern style meal (pulled pork BBQ, with green beans, mashed taters and a sweet tea for example). I’m looking forward to what the Lord is going to do over the next few months.
Erica Gustafson
Hometown: Blaine, Minnesota
Greetings! Ten years of my life growing up were spent in the Middle East, but I now call the land of 10,000 lakes home. I’ve been lucky enough to road trip through almost all of the U.S. and can’t wait to someday cross over into my last two states, Texas and Alaska. The Beatles are one of my favorite bands and I’m convinced that one day, if I wish hard enough, I’ll wake up British… I find inexpressible joy in Steve McQueen movies, coffee, the companionship of books, and the knowledge that I am saved by grace and deeply known by a personal and loving God. I’m pumped to be a part of this DTS and excited to see what God AWAKENS in us all.
Calvin & Camille Hanson
Cam’s Hometown: Chassell, Michigan, Cal’s Hometown: Vancouver, Washington
We met at Dunkin Donuts and the rest is history. Ok so there is more to the story than that, just ask us and we’ll give you the long version. We’ve been married for 6 years in July and did our DTS together in 2009. Calvin has the hidden talent of juggling (not so hidden now).
Our DTS Outreach: Finland/Sweden
Kat Hobin
Hometown: Evergreen, Colorado
Three influential people in Kat Hobin’s life are Aimee Semple Mcpherson, Bill Johnson, and Gene Wilder. Aimee was a dramatic and spunky woman with a wild passion to see Jesus revealed in all his wonder to Hollywood. Bill Johnson is such a Father in the faith with a deep desire to dwell in the presence of God. And Kat admires Gene for his talent and devastating good looks.
Chris Little
Hometown: Fayetteville, North Carolina
Chris Little is a All-American that grew up in South Carolina. Go Gamecocks!!!! He loves his Mom’s home cookin’, chicken fried steak, homemade mac & cheese, rice and gravy with green beans and an ice cold sweet tea!!! Jesus is the absolute center of his life with fishing and golf on the side. He loves his family and friends, and considers them very important in his life. He has a HUGE heart for the lost and to walk along people who are hungry and passionate about the Lord.
Matt Rogers
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Matt is a proud Texan with a deep love for motorcycles, life and people in general. A superhero in training, he has helmet-lessly crashed his motorcycle into a bronco at 40mph, and recently “exploded” (on the U of N Konaʼs big screen), living to tell the tale of both. If given a choice, his first real super power would be flight so he could soar on over to Texas for some seriously good Tex Mex food. Matt canʼt wait to watch as God changes the lives of so many people, and is excited about the ways they will each get to experience intimate love with Jesus.
Sarah-Jo Sampson
Hometown: La Crescenta, California
Born in Iowa grew up in Los Angeles, got some red neck roots with the LA swagger. Did my DTS in 2007, planned on going back home and having a “normal life,” but I end up traveled around the world for an entire year visiting 18 different countries. I have not left YWAM yet and have no intention to. After my travels my group produced a publication called Sex + Money: A Global Search for Human Worth. I am currently apart of a smaller group that has been shooting a documentary about sex slavery in America. I want to see modern slavery abolished and the lives of men and women restored from the abuse of sex and money. I enjoy getting my nails done, laying out, abolishing slavery, off roading, and Jesus.
Matt Scaparotti
Hometown: Euclid, Ohio
Hey my name is Matt Scaparotti and I am from Cleveland, Ohio. I am Lebron James third cousin. I love music and worshiping Jesus. I love playing and watching sports. My favorite movies to watch are old Clint Eastwood westerns.
Shawna Schlenker
Hometown: Toppenish, Washington
I grew up on a small indian reservation in Washington State. I absolutely love the beach and Godʼs creations. I really enjoy ballroom dancing and being just plain silly. My heart is to see people zealously run after Jesus and what He has called them to be! And to fall deeply in love with God and spread that to the Nations. I am stoked for you to come and be ruined for the ordinary!
Daniel Stedman
Hometown: Tustin, California
I’m 25 years of age. I reside in Orange County, CA when i’m not doing YWAM. Cats make me sneeze. I trip out about how rad God is on a regular basis. I love sour patch kids and have dental records to prove it. I love all forms of dance. I live for the freedom that only God can grant. I have an older sister. Im a big fan of the Minnesota Vikings. I love a wide variety of movies. I am humbled that God knows my name. I prefer iced coffee. Lets keep it simple, love God, love others. I say with confidence that this DTS is going to be incredible.
Kurt Sytsma
Hometown: Kelowna, British Columbia
I am from the great white north, and the land of free health care. I love hockey, snowboarding, and maple syrup. I am a lover of Jesus and He is alover of me. I want to see the power of God spread through the nations and people delivered from a sad life of sin and death.
Elizabeth York
Hometown: Aurora, Colorado
My name is Elizabeth York, I am 19 years old and Iʼm from Colorado. I did my DTS in Amsterdam in January 2010, and now Iʼm in Kona! I am a former Starbucks barista, I was home schooled (donʼt be concerned), I have a dog named Rufio and I have a Jeep named Eleanor. Iʼve already told you too much. To finish, I love Jesus because He is my everything. Iʼm excited to meet all of you!
