Class of 2011

Kennard Blackwell
As a recent graduate of the University of Maryland with a BA in Communication, it’s so cool to look back on the last four years to see how God has led me to this program. My life has done a huge 180 since my freshman year at UMD and I’m blessed to view life with new eyes. I’m a Maryland native making the transition as a Future Leader to take part in opening a new campus in Maryland. I’m passionate about music, film, writing and people. I love building community and I love to see lives transform. I’m excited to help others come to know the full measure of Christ and live their lives to the fullest. In the midst of that I hope to keep discovering all that God wants to show me as He chisels me into the leader He envisioned. This new adventure is a breath of fresh air and I’m taking it all in!
Danielle Kearney
I was raised in a Christian home with a family who was greatly involved in missions and ministry. Ever since I was a little girl, I have been passionate about sharing Christ with others. I went to Liberty University to prepare for full-time ministry, majoring in Biblical Studies and Family & Child Development. After graduating, the Lord worked out a way for me to stay an extra year and attend seminary. This was a huge blessing to me and I learned a great deal from my time there. As I was finishing seminary I knew I wanted to invest my life in spreading the gospel and making disciples; however, I was not sure where the Lord was going to send me. Through a series of events, the Lord has brought me to McLean Bible Church (MBC) and the Future Leaders Program. I had grown up in the Northern Virginia area but did not know much about MBC; however, after visiting the church, I saw their heart and passion to reach Washington DC with the gospel of Jesus Christ and was excited about the mission and vision. I am very passionate about proclaiming and living out the gospel and am thrilled to be a part of what God is doing here. I will be serving in Kid’s Quest and desire to see kids come to know and follow hard after the Lord.
Adam Schwenk
My family lives in the beautiful state of West Virginia, and I love hiking, camping, and white water rafting! I am a recent graduate of Liberty University where the Lord allowed me to train for pastoral work and earn both undergraduate and graduate degrees in Religion. My greatest passion is to know Jesus and make Him known. During the next year I will be working with Men’s Ministry at the Tyson’s campus, and I’m excited for the challenge to empower men to strategically impact the spiritual atmosphere of those at McLean Bible Church and the workforce of Washington D.C.
Jessy Baugh
I’m from Laguna Niguel, CA and I have grown up in a Christian home as a preacher’s kid. From an early age I have known I was called into doing some form of ministry and this lead me to attend BIOLA University where I graduated with a BA in Christian Ministry. When I heard about the Future Leader Program at MBC it sounded like the perfect opportunity for me to learn more about ministry and to have the amazing opportunity to work in ministry as well. I’m so excited this year to help plant a new MBC campus and to actively be living out the mission of this church: to reach secular Washington DC for Christ!
Rachel McCullough
I am originally from Georgia, and am definitely a southern girl at heart. After graduating from Liberty University with a degree in Business Marketing I moved to the DC area in 2009. All through college I thought the corporate world was exactly what I wanted and I couldn’t wait to jump in. Soon after beginning work at Nordstrom I realized it wasn’t where the Lord was calling me but rather I was following my own dreams, apart from Him. I am now working with Women’s Small Groups for McLean Bible and am excited to get women plugged into a biblical community. I have seen over the past year of my life how important it is to be in fellowship with other believers and can’t wait to get people connected.
Bobby Morgenthaler
Born and raised in Northern Virginia, I spent the last five years playing in a band signed to Virgin Records while attending college full-time at Liberty University.  Being in the entertainment industry, I thought I knew everything about what it meant to dream big.  Well, the Lord has certainly transformed my thinking and given me a whole new dream–namely, to see His gospel advanced in the city of Washington DC!  Over the next year I will have the wonderful privilege of working with The Rock Student Ministries team at the brand new campus in Bethesda, Maryland.  We have an overwhelming task ahead of us this year, but God hasn’t just called us to be dreamers, He’s called us to be history-makers.  I’m so thankful that He has allowed me to be a part of making His-story!
Magen Thurman
Born and raised in the great state of Texas, my husband and I settled in Northern Virginia in 2008. I volunteered at McLean Bible Church for about a year before applying to be part of the Future Leaders Program. As a worship leader for the Creative Arts Ministry Team, I will lead worship on a weekly basis along with trying to find new and creative ways to facilitate worship among McLean Bible Church campuses. I am so honored to be a part of Future Leaders and I am excited to get to share this experience with a group of people who love and serve the Lord so intently. The Lord has great plans for the Future Leaders of McLean Bible Church and I am thrilled to see where the Lord takes us.
Caitlin Buckel
I moved around a lot growing up, but most recently I am from Pennsylvania. I graduated from Grove City College with a degree in Psychology. About a year ago, I felt that the Lord was calling me towards full-time ministry, but I wasn’t sure exactly what that would look like. My plan had been to work with children’s ministry because that was where I was comfortable and where my passion was. However, when I was accepted into the Future Leader Program, I realized that God had other plans. I will be working with Frontline Women’s Small groups. It took a leap of faith for me to come here and trust God as He led me to break out of my comfort zone teaching me to fully rely on Him and His guidance. I am so excited to be challenged and to grow in Christ this year. I am thankful for this opportunity and for all that God will be doing through Frontline and the Future Leader Program this year!
Joel Harris
I’m a local to the DC area having grown up in Prince William County. I’m a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA where I studied Graphic Design. Having served in various leadership positions within MBC as a volunteer, I felt God’s call to pursue ministry on a full-time basis but I didn’t know when that opportunity would occur. Little did I know that after working in the secular marketplace for four years that the call to pursue full-time ministry became a reality through the Future Leader Program. This year I will be serving on the Communications Team which is responsible for creating design pieces for all the MBC campuses and ministries. I’m humbled and thankful to use my passion for graphic design to serve others and reach secular Washington DC with the gospel message of Jesus Christ. I look forward to learning more about Biblical leadership and see how God uses my gifts and talents this year. Phil 1:22.
Sarah Wetherington
I grew up in the Sunshine State of Florida and for the past five years I’ve lived in Lynchburg, VA, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. In 2000, I dedicated my life to serving the Lord for wherever, whenever and for whatever purpose He might have. I can truly say it was the best decision of my life. My desires have changed over the years but it has been an incredible journey learning to trust in His faithfulness and stepping out even when things are unknown. I have a heart for leading others in worship, serving people from different cultures and for ministry in the local church. This year I will be serving with Jill’s House as the Family and Program Support Coordinator. I’m excited to see what the Lord teaches me through this new ministry. I think it’s going to be a lot!
Johnathon MacDonald
Although I grew up in the DC/Virginia area, I was born in Alabama. With little religious exposure while growing up, God revealed His personal love for me while in college at Auburn University. I graduated in 2006 with an undergraduate degree in Wireless Engineering and in 2008 with a Masters in Software Engineering.  Even though I had success early in a career that some would call the “dream job for software engineering”, I still felt a sense of failure and lack of fulfillment.  I had reached my goal that I set out for myself, but found no satisfaction in my so-called success.  Success to me is hearing “Well done, thou good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:23). As a Future Leader I will be working with Jill’s House by sharing Jesus’ love with children with special needs and their families. My passion, through personal authenticity, is to proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior to all and sharing the gospel to the ends of the earth.  My personal prayer is to be the spark that ignites Christ within others by being an authentic worshiper of God. I want to challenge, encourage, and inspire people to live their life for the glory and praise of Jesus Christ, holding nothing back.
Pete Berlin
Live for Christ’s fame! That phrase became my motto in college. My best memories from college revolve around being a promotional team leader for The Gathering at George Mason University. I made sure everyone knew The Gathering existed on campus to impact students with the message of Jesus Christ. Making God’s name famous on a secular campus was my passion and my daily life. Born in Fairfax, raised in Manassas, I have been in Northern Virginia my entire life. Following my graduation from GMU, I attempted to use my Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice to pursue a career in federal law enforcement. However, I encountered some roadblocks that led me to consider applying to the Future Leaders Program. After much prayer and inner debate, I decided that God had called me to take on a full-time ministry position. As a Future Leader, I am a Campus Director for the Gathering at University of Maryland. I now equip students to lead ministries on campus and foster a community of students who love God and love others. I am quickly realizing that I have the best job in the world!
Whitney Stockett
I am from Houston, Texas, and graduated from American University in 2007 with a degree in Political Science. I spent the next three years working for the U.S. House of Representatives on Capitol Hill, and had only dreamed of going into full-time ministry. I’m thrilled to have gone from what I once considered my “dream job” on Capitol Hill to the true “dream job” that God has called me to – reaching the collegiate generation with the gospel of Jesus Christ. This year, I have the opportunity to serve as the Campus Director for The Gathering at Georgetown University. My role is to engage and equip the students at Georgetown to do the work of the ministry and win their campus to Christ.