Staff

John F. Gerhardt Executive Director/Pastor Family: Wife Wendy, daughter Ana, Sons Josiah, Elijah, and Jeremiah. . Home State:  Wisconsin and Iowa . How long have you worked for UIM? Since 1991 Their Story: John and Wendy's passion for inner-city New Orleans began after taking their youth group from Minneapolis, MN to the inner-city of New Orleans.  That week-long trip revealed to them the passion God had given them for the inner-city.  In a bold move John and Wendy spent a year raising support and then moved to New Orleans.  Over the past 16 years, the Gerhardt's have been actively involved in transforming the Central City of New Orleans through Bible Studies, mentoring of children and adults, and through Castle Rock Community Church established in 1998. John is currently the Pastor of CRCC and the Executive Director of Urban Impact. Wendy is busy with their four children and the mentoring of young women in the community. Please pray for their ministry in the Central City of New Orleans. johng @ urbanimpact. org wdgno @ cox. net

George Nyholm Bookkeeper   How long have you worked for UIM? I've volunteered with UIM for 18 years. What's your favorite UIM memory? The begining of Castle Rock Community Church. George Nyholm is Urban Impact Ministries longest term “employee”. George started volunteering to do the bookkeeping in 1991. Though retired from his profession with the USDA, we haven’t, and don’t plan to, let George retire from UIM! George originally came to New Orleans from Minneapolis, MN as he transferred his position here with the government. He has been part of Castle Rock Community Church since it’s beginning. Though not actually paid staff, George is a valuable and much appreciated member of the Urban Impact Ministries team!

Joan Hathaway Office Manager            Home State: Colorado                       How long have you worked for UIM?  Since 1996            Her Story: Joan has been an integral part of UIM since she and her late husband John first started volunteering to work with the youth in 1995.  As the ministry grew that year, it became apparent that Glen and John needed help in the office.  Joan was a great fit for the position and in January of 1996 she became the office manager.  Through the last 11 years, Joan has worked extensively with the Junior and Senior High Ministries. She founded the Ladies of God Bible Study (LOG), and has always been discipling the young women of Castle Rock. Joan is an integral part of the Urban Impact Staff and is always looking to be a support to other staff members whenever she can be.  joanh @ urbanimpact. org

Mike Babst Education Director   How long have you worked for UIM? 10 years What's your favorite UIM memory? The open house, baptizing Herschell, Qiana, Rodreck, and Sarah with Herschell and Rodreck sharing the Gospel. Family: Wife Rocio and son Jonathan His Story: After graduating from high school (1989) in Randolph, Nebraska, Mike Babst spent a year living with the family of Glen Schrieber, the founder of Urban Impact. During that time, God planted in Mike the deep compassion and love he feels for the children of Central City New Orleans. This love eventually led him to come on staff with Urban Impact in 1997, and now, more than 10 years later, it is still the driving force of the passion that keeps him there. On August 13, 2000, God answered Mike’s anxious prayers, and allowed him to marry the woman of his dreams, Rocio Reyes of Barquisimeto, Venezuela. Rocio’s primary ministry is taking care of Jonathan Elías Babst, who was born in 2004. mikeb @ urbanimpact. org

Michael Robinson Community Development Coordinator Home State: Texas and Louisiana How long have you worked for UIM? June 1997 What's your favorite UIM memory? The opening of the church and the laying of the concrete in the parking lot that is now called "the cage". Family: Wife Shantrell and son Michael III Their Story: Michael started volunteering with Urban Impact during the fall of 1996 while attending Xavier University.  In summer of 1999 Michael was given the responsibility of the Junior High youth night.  In 2001 Michael took over the Senior High Ministry a position he held until the summer of 2005.  During his time as Youth Pastor Michael was instrumental in establishing a core group of High School youth that are very active in Castle Rock Community Church.  Post-katrina Michael assumed the position of Community Development Coordinator.  He has been developing financial literacy classes, facillitating the purchasing of blighted property in our community, and the redevelopment of our neighborhood. To contact Michael: michaelr @ urbanimpact. org

Tyrone Christoph Youth, Recreation, and National Project Director Home State:  Louisiana How long have you worked for UIM? Since 2000.  Family:  Wife Keira Their Story: Tyrone first met Glen Schrieber and John Gerhardt as a 3rd grader living in the Gust housing development in 1994.  Over the next six years Tyrone was actively discipled by Glen, John, and many others as he grew into the man he is today.  Tyrone took the position as Junior High leader in the fall of 2001, and Post-Katrina his duties have increased to Recreation, High-School, and National Project.  Tyrone's passion is seeing the youth of our neighborhood grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ.  Tyrone met his wife Keira as a High School student through UIM activities.  They married in October of 2005 while displaced in Hot Springs Village, AR after the hurricane.  tyronec @ urbanimpact. org

Sandy Lee Discipleship & Intern Director How long have you worked for UIM? Since June of 2002 What's your favorite UIM memory? Whenever any of our youth or young adults pass on their faith to others.  In particular one of our high school boys that after Challenge got all his boys together to challenge them on their relationship with Christ.  Also the celebrations of High School students graduations from High School and for getting their GED's. Previously Sandy worked at Four Oaks Evangelical Free Church in Tallahassee, FL as their Middle School Director, discipling many of their young women. Many of these young women have gone on to disciple others, effectively expanding and strengthening the Kingdom of God. Now Sandy is the Discipleship Director for Urban Impact and the Intern Director.God has placed her at Urban Impact at the right moment. Sandy is a champion for discipleship, and the transformation that happens when we pour our lives into each other. bahamasrose @ excite. com

Barrington Duane Gidney Jr. Associate Pastor How long have you worked for UIM? 5 years What's your favorite UIM memory? Our most recent UIM staff retreat in Florida and our encouraging session. Originally from Wilmington, DE, Duane came to New Orleans to attend Xavier University. It was at Xavier that Duane became good friends with Michael Robinson. Through invitations to join in flag football and challenge circle activities, a desire to be a part of UIM was born. He enjoys the family atmosphere of Urban Impact, and is excited about using his gifts to promote God's Kingdom. B_Gid @ hotmail. com

Tre' Pennington Worship Pastor/Facillaties How long have you worked for UIM? I have work for Castle Rock Community Church as the Worship Leader for six years and as part of the Katrina Project Crew for the past year. What's your favorite UIM memory? The retreat in Missiouri when a church member's pants fell off in the water.

Helen O. Harris Administrative Assitant How long have you worked for UIM? Two years What's your favorite UIM memory? Watching Pastor John in action, showing he cares like when he came to my aid after my car accident.  The love demonstrated by the staff during the loss of my father, the teams of volunteers coming to my home to gut, clean, and replacing the roof.

Jill Morgan Elementary Education Coordinator How long have you worked for UIM? Since May 2006 What's your favorite UIM memory? Swimming with the sharks in Florida at the annual staff retreat. Jill joined the Urban Impact staff in June of 2006, but first came to New Orleans in 2000 on a spring break service trip with her college, Trinity International University (Deerfield, IL).  She loved the atmosphere of Urban Impact, and specifically the reading program as it impacted many children who would not otherwise have tutoring after school.  God kept Urban Impact on her mind over the years, often bringing her back to scripture discussed during her visit, and the photos of kids in the program. After graduating college in 2002, Jill taught fifth grade in her hometown of Lincoln, NE for two years.  She left her position to pursue overseas missions, and spent four months working among the poor in Lima, Peru with an organization called Word Made Flesh.  Upon returning to the States, she felt burdened to continue similar work, though not necessarily overseas.  As she prayed for direction and clarity, Urban Impact came back to her mind.  Through contact with Education Director, Mike Babst, Jill’s seeds of interest in the inner city of New Orleans began to grow, and within a year she was able to move into the neighborhood.

Andrew Zahurance How long have you worked for UIM? Since September 2006 What's your favorite UIM memory? Having to explain what kind of casserole I would be and why.

Terry Andrus Business Administrator How long have you worked for UIM? Since November 2006. What's your favorite UIM memory? Running around town with PJ, going to two different Lowes trying to get new BBQ's. Family: Wife Sarah Terry and his wife Sarah Andrus were first introduced to Urban Impact Ministries through participation on a work team from Cornerstone Community Church in Pullman, WA. They spent the week gutting homes and sharing with those they helped.  The week opened their eyes to the extensive damamge and devastation.  The group of 10 gutted out houses and shared with those that they helped.  After this life changing experience and having their eyes opened to the extensive devastation, Terry and Sarah made the decision to move their lives down to the New Orleans area.  They felt called to come, get jobs, and plug into Castlerock Community Church and in doing so contribute to the floundering economy and community.