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SUPPORT TEAM

SHAWN JAMES

Executive Director

 

Growing up in Malvern Shawn found himself asking his church, “What are you doing to save kids like me?” When the response was a resounding, “What are you going to do about it, Shawn?” a light bulb turned on and he accepted the challenge. Shawn joined us back in 2001 and has helped lead our team to where we are today. Shawn enjoys running and spending time with his wife Alison and their two young children.

SHAWN JAMES

Executive Director

 

Growing up in Malvern Shawn found himself asking his church, “What are you doing to save kids like me?” When the response was a resounding, “What are you going to do about it, Shawn?” a light bulb turned on and he accepted the challenge. Shawn joined us back in 2001 and has helped lead our team to where we are today. Shawn enjoys running and spending time with his wife Alison and their two young children.

PETER KENTIE

Director, Finance and Operations

 

Peter was serving as a student ministries pastor in his hometown of Port Colborne when his life was completely shaken up. He moved to the big city, where he and his wife Lynda started with us in 2004. Peter’s ability to connect with others has helped lead many amazing individuals to our team and is passionate about helping dynamic young leaders realize their potential. Peter loves Pepsi, Buffalo wings, and the Buffalo Bills.

PETER KENTIE

Director, Finance and Operations

 

Peter was serving as a student ministries pastor in his hometown of Port Colborne when his life was completely shaken up. He moved to the big city, where he and his wife Lynda started with us in 2004. Peter’s ability to connect with others has helped lead many amazing individuals to our team and is passionate about helping dynamic young leaders realize their potential. Peter loves Pepsi, Buffalo wings, and the Buffalo Bills.

CHRIS JONG

Ministry Director

 

As a teenager, Chris first began his journey at UPT on a missions trip, and knew right away that God had more in store for Him to see here. He loves walking alongside the kids and youth of Rexdale in all the highs and lows of life, reminding them often that [our] camp is family. Chris loves sharing food with others, and is a die hard fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs, which has helped him better understand the way God loves us despite how many times we hurt Him.

 

CHRIS JONG

Minis Director

 

As a teenager, Chris first began his journey at UPT on a missions trip, and knew right away that God had more in store for Him to see here. He loves walking alongside the kids and youth of Rexdale in all the highs and lows of life, reminding them often that [our] camp is family. Chris loves sharing food with others, and is a die hard fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs, which has helped him better understand the way God loves us despite how many times we hurt Him.

CHRISTINE VERHULP 

Director, HR & Staff Care

 

Christine has actively served children, youth and communities in various leadership roles over the years.  She is passionate about people and excited to be part of a team which provides children and youth with the support needed to grow spiritually, succeed academically, and develop into leaders who bring positive change to their communities.  Christine is “Nana” to six grandchildren and “Nana C” at our three Camps

SALION EDWARD

Director, Resource Development

 

Salion, hailing from India, has been immersed in Christian ministry since childhood, deeply inspired by Jesus's love. With over 14 years of experience in events, media, marketing, and business, Sal is tech-savvy and is known for his go-getter attitude and love for challenges. Beyond work, Sal finds joy in cricket, art, and exploring diverse cuisines. Passionate about working with children, Sal's boundless energy is matched only by his commitment to helping others and making a positive impact, all while forging new friendships across cultures.

SUSAN TAM

Office Administrator

 

With a wealth of ministry and administrative experience, Susan plays a vital role on our team! She has a heart for praying for others and seeing people come to know Christ, and finds joy in seeing how details, numbers, and office organization can support the work being done on the front lines of our communities. Susan is a lover of nature, and enjoys watching her sons explore and discover their world as they grow. She also enjoys hot cups of tea alongside her coffee-loving husband.

SUSAN TAM

Office Administrator

 

With a wealth of ministry and administrative experience, Susan plays a vital role on our team! She has a heart for praying for others and seeing people come to know Christ, and finds joy in seeing how details, numbers, and office organization can support the work being done on the front lines of our communities. Susan is a lover of nature, and enjoys watching her sons explore and discover their world as they grow. She also enjoys hot cups of tea alongside her coffee-loving husband.

JULIUS VINCENT NAREDO

Partnership Coordinator 

 

Julius is well known as “Kuya”, which means “big brother”. This title is a solid representation of his role within the community of Warden Woods.  Since joining our team, he has been an important role model for many youth, and has used his passions for sports, technology, and comics to bring the community together.  In his spare time, he loves exploring coffeshops in Toronto, Muay Thai, and is well connected both online and off.

JULIUS VINCENT NAREDO

Partnership Coordinator 

 

Julius is well known as “Kuya”, which means “big brother”. This title is a solid representation of his role within the community of Warden Woods.  Since joining our team, he has been an important role model for many youth, and has used his passions for sports, technology, and comics to bring the community together.  In his spare time, he loves exploring coffeshops in Toronto, Muay Thai, and is well connected both online and off.

CAMP HOPE

CAMP HOPE

JESSICA JEAN-DENIS

Ministry Supervisor

 

Jessica enjoys spending time with children, youth and their families. She has had the privilege to do so in schools, hospitals and church-based community centres in Montreal, which is where she's from. Jessica has recently moved to Toronto and is excited about working alongside the team at Camp Hope, as developing leaders wholistically is her passion. Her other interests include reading, pilates, baking and discovering new coffee shops with her husband. 

MICHAEL DOWE

Ministry Supervisor

 

Michael Dowe grew up on the beautiful island of Jamaica, where the vibrant culture and stunning natural beauty shaped much of who he is today. Soccer (or football, as he calls it) was a huge part of his life, and he played competitively for several years. His heart burns with passion for proclaiming the Gospel, especially to youth and those in his age group, and he is deeply committed to sharing hope and truth. At his core, Michael is a relational person who thrives on meeting new people, building connections, and fostering meaningful relationships.

CAMP VICTORY

CAMP VICTORY

JERMAINE BROWN

Ministry Supervisor

 

Jermaine has a deep passion for serving and supporting youth, which is something he’s enjoyed doing throughout the GTA for over 15 years. His love for Jesus and commitment to making disciples of Jesus is a central part of how he serves youth. Jermaine really enjoys using his creativity to solve problems, and he often combines his music, visual arts, and collaboration skills to find the most creative solutions. Whether he is singing gospel music or using his graphic design skills to creatively display God’s word, art is one of the most natural ways that Jermaine feels moved to worship God, and engage in community.

JERMAINE BROWN

Ministry Supervisor

 

Jermaine has a deep passion for serving and supporting youth, which is something he’s enjoyed doing throughout the GTA for over 15 years. His love for Jesus and commitment to making disciples of Jesus is a central part of how he serves youth. Jermaine really enjoys using his creativity to solve problems, and he often combines his music, visual arts, and collaboration skills to find the most creative solutions. Whether he is singing gospel music or using his graphic design skills to creatively display God’s word, art is one of the most natural ways that Jermaine feels moved to worship God, and engage in community.

JANELLE JONG

Leadership Development Coordinator

 

With a background in community service work, Janelle came to us as a summer intern in 2012, which led to her join our team as a ministry supervisor. She enjoys helping kids and youth experience new things, in themselves and the world around them, and is passionate about discipling young people in the Rexdale community into courageous followers of Christ. Janelle loves running, coffee, and spending time with her kids. 

JANELLE JONG

Leadership Development Coordinator

 

With a background in community service work, Janelle came to us as a summer intern in 2012, which led to her join our team as a ministry supervisor. She enjoys helping kids and youth experience new things, in themselves and the world around them, and is passionate about discipling young people in the Rexdale community into courageous followers of Christ. Janelle loves running, coffee, and spending time with her kids. 

SARAH BABULAL

Ministry Supervisor

 

Sarah grew up in the Rexdale area, and has a background in Youth Ministry, Music, and Child & Youth work. She is passionate about walking alongside children and youth, while mentoring, discipling, and sharing the love of Christ with them. She also enjoys using her creative abilities in music and art to reach the children and youth and giving them opportunities for creative expression. Sarah loves music, singing/song-writing, travelling, and exploring unique little coffee shops and venues. She’s always up for an adventure, and is very excited to see all God has in store!

SARAH BABULAL

Ministry Supervisor

 

Sarah grew up in the Rexdale area, and has a background in Youth Ministry, Music, and Child & Youth work. She is passionate about walking alongside children and youth, while mentoring, discipling, and sharing the love of Christ with them. She also enjoys using her creative abilities in music and art to reach the children and youth and giving them opportunities for creative expression. Sarah loves music, singing/song-writing, travelling, and exploring unique little coffee shops and venues. She’s always up for an adventure, and is very excited to see all God has in store!

CAMP TRUTH

CAMP TRUTH

KIMBERLY MINA

Ministry Supervisor

 

Kimberly has always had a passion for working with children and youth. She comes from a background in Early Childhood Education and Child and Youth Work. She enjoys being a positive influence in the lives of each child and youth she works with. Kimberly is excited to help in discipling, mentoring and sharing the love of Christ to the next generations. During her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, singing, listening to music, and going for nature walks.

KIMBERLY MINA

Ministry Supervisor

 

Kimberly has always had a passion for working with children and youth. She comes from a background in Early Childhood Education and Child and Youth Work. She enjoys being a positive influence in the lives of each child and youth she works with. Kimberly is excited to help in discipling, mentoring and sharing the love of Christ to the next generations. During her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, singing, listening to music, and going for nature walks.

MARLENE DE LEON

Ministry Supervisor

 

Marlene gained a heart for children’s ministry while serving at her church, where the kids modelled to her the pure childlike faith that God calls us to. She’s passionate about helping the next generation create a personal relationship with Jesus by creating environments that make them feel safe enough to rest in His love. Her favourite ways to spend her free time are hiking, singing worship songs, doing yoga, writing and reading with a hot cup of oat milk matcha.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

 

Lois Tullo, Chair

Lecturer, Schulich School of Business

Ben Holmes, Treasurer

CPA, Norton McMullen LLP 

Jessey Njau, Secretary

Farm Manager, Zawadi Farm

Katherine Isaac, Co-Chair

Head of Customer Success, Flare Systems

 

 

 

Walter Jong

Financial Management Executive (retired)

Will Jin, Executive

Venture Capital

Natalie Mezzina

Professor, Humber College

Peter Dobrowolski

VP, Bee-Clean Building Maintenance

 

Lois Tullo, Chair

Lecturer, Schulich School of Business

Joline Bradbury, Treasurer

CA, Norton McMullen & Co.

Jessey Njau, Secretary

Farm Manager, Zawadi Farm

Peter Dobrowolski

VP, Bee-Clean Building Maintenance

Walter Jong

Financial Management Executive (retired)

Will Jin, Executive

Venture Capital

Natalie Blake-Noel

Professor, Humber College

Katherine Isaac, Vice Chair

Head of Customer Success, Flare Systems