Alisha Dodd

Although I spent 5 years of my childhood living in Hawaii, I consider myself a Maryland native. In 2009, I graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Elementary Education. I spent the next 2 years as a 3rd grade teacher in a local public school. Though I loved teaching, I always had the desire to do full-time ministry. As time went on, I became more and more burdened by the fact that I couldn’t explicitly share my faith with the children I worked with, and began to feel the Lord leading me to full-time ministry and the Future Leader’s Program. I watched the Lord work as He took me from a prospective Kid’s Quest volunteer at MBC Bethesda, to taking on a part-time position, and now serving full-time as the Associate Director of Kid’s Quest – Preschool and Operations!

 

 

 

Chelsea Stone

I’m a Florida native who recently graduated from Florida State University. Through God’s provincial plan, I heard about McLean through family friends and decided to step out in faith and apply for the Future Leaders Program this past spring. I work with City Impact and MBC’s Central Operations teams. Working with my previous church family in Tallahassee, Fl and their youth and college ministries has been my favorite ministry experience so far. I have taken part in different mission trips to Senegal, Germany, and the Dominican Republic and am ready for the next journey God has in store for me.

 

 

 

 

 

Donnie Cohn

After growing up in Boston, I came to D.C. four years ago to attend Georgetown University. I entered as a nonbeliever pursuing a career in politics or law. Since accepting Christ during my freshman year, God has led me toward vocational ministry. I became involved with MBC through Frontline Arlington and the Gathering–where I found out about the Future Leaders Program. Although I am an avid sports fan, my greatest passion is growing closer to Christ, particularly by studying His Word. I am working at the Loudoun campus with the Rock this year. I am so excited to build relationships with students and, by God’s grace, to encourage them as they pursue the Lord.

 

 

 

 

Enoch Haven

I was raised in Northern Michigan, and growing up I spent much of my time roaming through the woods, building tree forts, and swimming in the lakes around my home. I am the second oldest of eight kids, and I am pretty close to the rest of my family. After graduating from high school in 2003, I began attending a community college in Traverse City, MI. My prior ministry experience includes serving as an interim youth director for over a year, and spending 2.5 months working with a church in the Philippines. I graduated from Moody Bible Institute in Spring 2011 with a degree in Pastoral Studies, and I am now blessed to be able to serve the people of Frontline Arlington.

 

 

 

 

Josh Rothschild

Since sophomore year in high school I had been determined to go to medical school and become a successful doctor. I attended Virginia Tech with the intentions of doing everything I possibly could to prepare myself for medical school. During the fall semester of my junior year the Lord radically changed my priorities. The Holy Spirit convicted me that I truly wanted to be a doctor because I’d have success in the world’s eyes. During that Christmas break, He convinced me that He didn’t want me in medicine but in vocational ministry, and through His providence I was lead to the Future Leaders Program at MBC. This year I will be working with Ministry Teams, which includes men’s ministry, marriage ministry and regional community development. A quick glimpse into my world: reading, Virginia Tech football, Chinese food is good, allergic to shellfish, and I’ve never been to Asia.

 

 

 

Julie Sagaard

I grew up in the wonderful state of New Jersey but traveled south to attend college at Liberty University. Being in an environment and community with other believers was a great encouragement to become part of the ministry opportunities they had available. Through being a part of student leadership on campus, I realized that ministry was something that I wanted to pursue and continue in. When I heard about the Future Leaders Program, I was so excited for an opportunity to learn more of how to be effective through ministry while getting a chance to be a part of it at the same time. This year as a Future Leader I will be working with Frontline Tysons and Connect Teams. I feel so blessed to be a part of the program this year and know that throughout it, I will learn how to better love people, serve people and live out the Gospel in whatever place the Lord puts me next.

 

 

 

Katherine Watson

I grew up in Homer, NY for 17 years and then moved out to Ohio to attend Cedarville University. I graduated in May with degrees in Communication, Bible and Women’s Ministry. The summer between my junior and senior year in college, I heard about McLean Bible and the Future Leaders Program. The LORD led me to apply here and I got accepted to work with the Gathering at George Mason University. It has been so encouraging to see how Jesus has led me each step of the way to bring me to where I am today! The goal of my life is to know Jesus and to make Him known and I love that I get to do that every day here at McLean.

 

 

 

 

 

Matt McCrory

I got plugged into the Gathering at George Mason University my junior year and it transformed my life. For the first time I had a peer Christian community to hold me accountable, pour into me, and equip me to serve a campus that needed to hear about the love of Jesus Christ. As I prepared to transfer to James Madison University and enter into a different environment and community there, John McGowan asked me to lunch and told me about the Future Leaders program. I loved my time at JMU, and even got to serve on the executive board of their Intervarsity chapter, but I remembered John’s words and applied for the Future Leaders program once I graduated. Now I’m excited to be back with the Gathering and can’t wait to see what the Lord does on the campus of George Mason. Aside from ministry I love to snowboard, wrestle, and do anything with a good group of friends.

 

 

 

Mekdes Haddis

I was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. I grew up watching my mother who showed me the ways of the Lord and set a high standard of what it means to live for Christ. With a passionate heart to live for the Lord and do big things for His kingdom, I came to the U.S. and joined Liberty University where I received a degree in Communication Studies. Even though I’ve sensed a call to full time ministry early on, I never dared to pursue it fully. After working at MBC for the past 2