At St. Luke’s Student Ministries, we do not have any “chaperones.”We have leaders.Leaders invest into the lives of the students.Leaders help teenagers work through tough issues.Leaders go to musicals, plays, sporting events, and recitals.Leaders meet students at Starbucks and Atlanta Bread Co. when they need to talk.Leaders do not watch over the lives of students - they are part of the lives of students.
ERIC CALENDINE
Eric has been working with the youth at St. Luke’s for over eight years. He has watched many students come though SLSM. He is a sergeant on road patrol with the Beaufort County Sheriffs office so he has lots of interesting stories to share with the students. Eric is currently a middle school small group leader but stops by for high school meetings as often as he can. He has been married to Michelle for three years and they have a beautiful baby girl named Bryne.
Eric is blessed to be able to be a part of helping these young men and women in their spiritual journey.
PETE & ANGELA IZZILLO
Pete and Angela have been middle and high school leaders [since 2003]. Pete has a small group of 8th grade boys. Angela has a small group of 9th and 10th grade girls. They truly love the spirit of all the SLSM youth.
DONNIE & TERESA KUNICH
Donnie and Teresa did not start SLSM as a team. Teresa has been with the youth for three years and has enjoyed working with both middle and high schools students. Currently her small group is Jr, and Sr..high girls. Donnie has been dragged on several youth trips over the last few years, including a trip to Kenya with several youth and a trip to Big Stuf Camp and a rafting trip. He realized how much fun it was and has joined the ranks as a volunteer youth leader this year. He is working with the Jr. and Sr. high boys along with John Wigington. The Kunich’s are happy to be a part of this ministry encouraging youth to reach their highest good and to keep their eyes focused in the Lord.
HEATHER GARDNER
Having nine children of her own (plus a grandson) wasn’t enough for her, and so she has decided to spend time with other people’s kids. She is doing a fantastic job on Wednesday nights leading a small group. She has the older middle school girls. She does a rather impressive job avoiding her children so that they don’t feel ‘weird’ about their mom being there. Heather also volunteers with our Sunday Morning Praise Team. Her love of kids is evident in all that she does with SLSM.
MIKE BLACKSHIRE
Mike has been with SLSM for three and a half years now. He co-leads a small group every Wednesday night but also does a ton of work behind the scenes.
Including grilling burgers and hot dogs on occasion! He also serves on our church vestry. Mike is married to Pam who graciously allows her husband to be a huge part of SLSM.
JOHN WIGINGTON & FRANCES WORTHY
John and Frances are an amazing couple that are in their second year of being Middle School leaders. Their introduction to our ministry was in the spring 2006 when they joined us on the Middle School Retreat. They have had a huge influence on the group and their contributions are invaluable.
BOB LEE
We all wondered where Ian Lee got his amazing good looks and talent. Then we met his dad … and it was obvious … that they came from his mom. KIDDING… Bob has been helping lead the 9th grade boys small group. Every time Bob tells a story about his life it’s like an episode of ‘24’. In fact, we are pretty sure that the last ‘Mission Impossible’ movie was based on some of Bob’s real life experiences. (Who else but Tom Cruise could play Bob Lee? No one!)
JOHN & JANET GEORGE
John and Janet joined us in the fall of 2008 as middle school leaders. They come from an extensive youth leadership background beginning in 1995. John is working with the 6th and 7th grade boys small group. Janet has the 6th grade girls. They are thrilled with the kids and the great spiritual atmosphere at SLSM.
