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Mike & Amy Herbster || directorMike and his wife, Amy Herbster, both grew up in Kansas City, Missouri. They attended Bible college together and were married in 1996. Mike earned an MA in Pastoral Studies and also has a degree in Music. Amy has a degree in Music Education. God led them to Southland in the summer of 2003, where they led the music and assisted in program and administration. In the fall of 2008, God led Mike to become the director of Southland. In 2014, God led Mike and Amy to a full-time position at Southland Christian Ministries. God has blessed them with four children: Micah, Malachi, Michala, and Mckenna, who are a vital part of the ministry.
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Cody & Amy Bill || maintenanceCody and Amy met while attending Bible college and were married in 2000. Cody has a degree in Practical Christian Training, and Amy has a degree in Nursing. They spent 2000–2001 in Starr, SC, working at Grace Baptist Church under Cody’s father. From late 2001 until 2005, the Bills lived in Bedford, VA, where Cody worked full-time as a carpenter and part-time as the music director for Grace Memorial Baptist Church. In 2006, the Lord called them to work full-time at Southland Christian Camp. They have three children who love serving the Lord with them in the camping ministry: Reagan, Ryleigh, and Grady.
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Mike & Sarah Graham || operationsMike Graham grew up as a camp kid at Southland Christian Camp because his father, Bob Graham, was the first camp director of Southland. While living at camp, Mike met his wife, Sarah. Sarah was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, and came to Southland as a camper. It wasn't until the eighth grade that Mike noticed Sarah, which eventually led to them dating at Bible college and marrying in the summer of 2006. Mike and Sarah both graduated with a Bible degree. In February 2014, Mike joined the staff full-time as the program manager. Mike and Sarah have three sons and one daughter: Ian, Brady, Sophie, and Bowen.
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Erik & Alyson Hanson || projectsErik and Alyson Hanson joined Southland's full-time staff in the spring of 2018. They each attended four years of Bible college, with Erik earning a degree in Accounting and Alyson earning hers in Piano. Both previously served on summer staff at Southland, which played a significant role in their eventual marriage. In August 2017, they were married by Mike Herbster. Erik serves by leading key maintenance projects across the campsite. Erik and Alyson have three daughters: Eliana, Audra, and Lacie.
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Jason & Hannah Dennis || kitchenJason grew up as a missionary kid on the border of Mexico. After moving to Wisconsin, he attended Maranatha and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Bible and an associate's degree in Business Management. He then served the Lord at a Christian camp in Northern California as a cooking apprentice. It was during this time that he met Hannah, whom he married in 2020. Hannah is from South Carolina and earned a bachelor's degree from Bob Jones University. In 2020, the Lord opened doors and led them to Southland, where Jason serves in the kitchen. Jason and Hannah have a daughter: Naomi.
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Scott & Ivy Bratt || groundsScott Bratt was raised in Texas and grew up attending Southland as a camper. He began working at Southland in 2015 as a counselor. Since then, he has held several positions: blue team leader, program assistant, guys supervisor, and now grounds manager. Scott attended West Coast Baptist College, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Religious Education. Ivy was raised in Tennessee and began coming to Southland as a camper in 2015. She worked summers 2018–2021 as summer staff, serving as a waitress and in the AV department. Ivy attended Maranatha Baptist University through Bridge to Campus at Southland, earning an associate's degree in Digital Media. Scott and Ivy met at Southland in 2016 while serving on summer staff, and they were married in May 2022. They have two sons: Judah and Baylor.
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Micah & Emily Herbster || ministry teamMicah and Emily both graduated from Maranatha Baptist University—Micah with a BA in Pastoral Studies and an MA in Bible, and Emily with a BA in Piano Pedagogy. College is also where they met and fell in love. They were married in August 2022. They began traveling with the Southland Ministry Team in the fall of 2022. Micah grew up traveling on an evangelistic team with his family and working most of his life at Southland. Since high school, he has had a passion for full-time ministry and a growing burden for youth ministry. Emily grew up in South Carolina, Maryland, and Wisconsin in a pastor’s home and also has a desire to use her gifts to serve the Lord. Micah oversees the Audio/Visual department and leads the ministry team. Micah and Emily have a son: Micaiah.
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Micah & Emaley Gillespie || ministry teamMicah and Emaley grew up in Troy, Ohio, where their families attended the same church. Emaley’s family moved to Greenville, South Carolina, when she was in high school, and she then attended Bob Jones University, completing two years of study in Piano Pedagogy. Micah surrendered his life to full-time ministry at the age of nine. During his time at Maranatha Baptist University, he traveled during the summers and developed a passion for evangelistic ministry. He graduated from MBU in 2021 with a BA in Piano Pedagogy and Church Music. Micah and Emaley were married in January 2023 and began traveling with the Southland Ministry Team. They also lead Southland Music Services.
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Carolyn Sykora || secretaryOriginally from Wisconsin, Carolyn was privileged to grow up in a strong Christian family. At the age of five, she accepted God’s gracious gift of salvation and, over time, developed a desire to serve Him in full-time ministry. She graduated from Bob Jones University with a bachelor’s degree in Voice (2013) and a master’s degree in Cross-Cultural Ministry (2015). After spending a few years in overseas missions work, God led her to join Southland’s summer staff in 2019. She began working in a year-round position at Southland in the fall of 2019. Carolyn enjoys keeping the office organized and communicating with guests about the various event details.
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Michael & Whitlee McIntyre
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Malachi & Ellie Herbster
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Anthony Barnes |
Elijah Applegate |
Seth Gillespie |
Jonathan DeBlanc |
Jacob Rincon |
Hannah Suire |
Jelitza Rodriguez |
Jenna Miller |
Elena Tackett |
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