CENTER for STUDENT MISSIONS

Alyssa Bacon

Alyssa grew up in Temecula, CA and just graduated from Azusa Pacific University with a degree in Global Studies and a minor in English. Over the past four years she has been a volunteer and intern at Central City Community Outreach on Skid Row (in Los Angeles) working with at–risk youth. Her junior year of college she spent a semester living in Los Angeles with host families and learning about the city. Alyssa also loves to travel internationally. Last year she lived in Cairo, Egypt for 4 1/2 months and has been to China three times to teach English. She has a passion for urban life, re–usable shopping bags, social justice, museums, human rights, reading, and learning about cultures different from my own. “I can’t think of a better way to to spend the summer than to live in a city I love so much and help other people fall in love with it as well. I’m really excited to see God move in powerful ways this summer.”

William (Billy) Bean

Billy was born and raised in Prescott, AZ. He is going into his junior year at The University of Arizona, studying Communication and Business. He spent last summer in Santa Monica, CA with Campus Crusade for Christ doing evangelism in the LA area. Billy is currently a Young Life leader in north Tucson, ministering to high schhol kids in Campaigners. He was also a leader with Campus Crusade for Christ at U of A for over a year. He loves staying physically active, so he is always playing sports and enjoys working out and trying to stay in shape. He also has a passion for all types of music. “I can’t wait to see how the Lord uses me in His incredible ways in the lives of others, but I am more excited so see how He uses others in my life. I have a huge heart for Los Angeles and I can’t wait to share this opportunity with everyone I work with!”

Michelle Erickson

Michelle is from a small town in southeastern South Dakota, but her humble upbringing has not limited the experiences God has allowed in her life. She has served Him in Mexico, Romania, New Orleans, and several Indian Reservations. Most recently Michelle has traveled across the Midwest working at youth camps and also spent a summer interning at a church in New York City. She is now a double major in Theology/Philosophy and Psychology at the University of Sioux Falls. Michelle has been an RA for the last two years at her school and has led a youth group of unchurched kids for the past three years. She loves doing anything outdoors, including rock climbing, biking, and running. She also enjoys playing guitar and reading. “I am excited to serve Christ in Los Angles for the summer and combine my passions of urban and youth ministries with CSM.”

Nicole Kuhn

Nikki is from the small town of Flagstaff, Arizona. She graduated in December of 2008 from Northern Arizona University (NAU) with a major in Sociology and a minor in Criminal Justice. Nikki has been on several mission trips to Chile, New Orleans and Los Angeles. The two Los Angeles mission trips were with CSM. Nikki has been working with youth at her church for the last six years. She started volunteering with seventh grade girls who are now seniors in high school and absolutely loves being a youth leader to girls. Nikki also loves to hang out with friends and family. She listens to all different kinds of music, reads, watches movies and shops. Nikki served with CSM as a city host this past spring and is excited to stay on into the summer! “I am extremely excited to start working with CSM and cannot wait to see how God will work in the lives of people I will meet and interact with and how God will work in my own life.”

McKenzie Morris

McKenzie Morris is an Oklahoma City native and a graduate from Oklahoma State University where she earned a degree in Child & Family Services. McKenzie first discovered her passion for urban culture as a teenager after three mission trips to Southside Chicago. Throughout high school and college she was blessed to serve as a counselor, mentor, and campus representative with Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Kanakuk Kamps. Volunteering with K-Life, she discipled a small group of senior girls. Recently, McKenzie has been honored to serve with The Refuge, an urban ministry in downtown Oklahoma City, as well as the Central Oklahoma Red Cross. McKenzie loves being outside in the sun, living in community, live music, and photography. This will be her second year serving with CSM after hosting in the San Francisco Bay Area last summer. “I am so honored to once again serve the groups of CSM and look forward to learning and loving the city of Los Angeles. My prayer is that as the students seek to be His hands and feet this summer, they are challenged to love daily with a refined Christ-driven authenticity.”

Chris Pros

Chris was born and raised in Chicago IL. He has been working with short term missions since he was in high school and has gone on over a dozen trips worldwide. After graduating from Judson University with a degree in History and Secondary Education, Chris began working as a full time missionary in Bogota, Colombia. He enjoys sports, music, photography, and History. You can get on his good side by talking about any of these topics, or discussing the global importance of the group Five Iron Frenzy. Chris served with CSM as a city host this past spring and is excited to stay on into the summer! “I am excited for this spring and hope you are too. Dare to Dream kids!”

Courtney Tigney

Courtney is a senior studying Sociology at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, MI. Through GVSU she had the opportunity to serve on short–term trips to Knoxville, Vancouver, Biloxi, and Los Angeles. These experiences helped her grow in many ways and have dramatically changed her heart. Courtney has been blessed to be able to get to know an incredible group of kids at an inner city after–school program for over the last couple of years. These kids encouraged her in so many ways and Courtney would not be here in LA if it was not for them. Traveling, running, and learning to live a more simple life are a few things Courtney enjoys. “I am looking forward to sharing the love of Jesus with the folks that I meet this summer.”

Jonalisa Ware

Jonalisa is from South Los Angeles. She studied Social Work at San Francisco State University and has been to the Dominican Republic, New Orleans and Ghana on mission trips. Currently, she is a case manager for youth at Youth Radio in Oakland, CA. Jonalisa taught junior high and high school classes while in Ghana. She has also served as a mentor for teenage girls and is the big sister of six siblings. While in San Francisco, she has participated in community service, co–led bible studies for African–American college students with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and planned fundraisers for missions. She likes good books, good food, good conversations, in beautiful places with people she loves. “I’m from LA and I want to see more clearly what God is doing in the midst of all the beauty and brokenness here. Missions trips, even short ones, are powerful and I am excited about what God wants to do in the hearts of young people and their team leaders.”