The 20s/30s Ministry at University Presbyterian Church is committed to equipping young adults for a life of purpose and connection in Jesus Christ.We have a variety of opportunities to connect in community, grow in faith, and serve our neighbors.
Convergence is a weekly gathering of those in their 20s and 30s and beyond to discover and live out the connection between faith and life, brokenness and grace, personal passions, gifts and the call of God’s kingdom life.
Join us Tuesdays at 7:30 in Geneva
Our Staff
Jon Epps, Director of Convergence, jepps@upc.org
Online Calendar: www.tungle.me/JonEpps
Where are you from? Julian, California. Little mountain town that looks like it’s still stuck in the gold rush, except that it’s all about the apple pie now.
Tell us about your education… BA in Business Administration with a minor in Psychology from Western Washington University. MDiv from Regent College in Vancouver, B.C.
Why are you excited to be at UPC? I love this community. It’s a privilege to join a church that has stood on this corner for 100 years and I’m excited to be part of what God is doing in this community in the next 100, especially through the emerging generation of leaders!
What are three of your favorite books? Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard, Starfish and the Spider by Ori Brafman, The Narnia Series is always a classic staple.
What are you listening to right now? Coldplay, U2, Maroon 5
Brenna Hesch, Ministry Coordinator brennah@upc.org
Where are you from: I am one of those rare breeds, an actual Seattlite. I was born and raised all around the Puget Sound area and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I love the PNW with all of my heart.
Tell us about your education: I have one B.A in Political Science and one B.A. in Law, Society, and Justice, as well as a minor in International Studies from the University of Washington. I also studied in Bath, England at the University of Bath for 6 months.
Why are you excited to be at UPC: I am excited to be a part of UPC because I can see God’s kingdom at work here. There is such a vibrant, intergenerational congregation that encourages growth, learning, and serving that is a blessing to be able to come along and join in with the ongoing work.
What are some of the best/most random jobs you have had? One of the best jobs I had was serving on summer staff for a Young Life camp called Crooked Creek in Colorado. I was a horse wrangler for 4 weeks and got to minister to students through horses. We were up in the beautiful mountains and got to spend all day working on horses leading trail rides and then all evening playing games and running other activities. I was definitely not the easiest job I ever had but the sense of reliance on God was just incredible and the people I worked with were amazing.
What are you listening to right now? I love country music… (Don’t judge me Kyle Turver) . You will usually find my radio on a country station, although there has been a lot of Jimmy Needham lately. If it has been a long day the Pandora Disney Movie station is always a good choice as well.
Kyle Turver, Assoc. Director of Worship Arts kylet@upc.org
Where are you from? I was born in Puyallup, WA and lived in the same house I was brought home to until I moved out. My parents still live there today.
Tell us about your education… I have a bachelors degree in Music from Northwest University and am at this time working on a masters degree in Theology and Culture from the same place.
Why are you excited to be at UPC? I am excited to be working at UPC because of the people who call this place home. The rich tradition, dynamic age ranges, and diverse family types provide a fertile ground for God to bond us together in vibrant community!
What are the best/most random jobs you’ve had? The best job I have had (prior to this one) was leading worship for a small church called Trinity Evangelical Church in Issaquah, WA. It is a small tight knit community that taught me much about what it means to be the body of Christ. It was a blast.
What are you listening to right now? Mostly folk . . . I have some friends who keep throwing new folk stuff my way and I am really digging it. Some common ones would be Bon Ivar, Sufjan Stevens, The Welcome Wagon, David Bazan, etc. On top of that, the usuals that never waver are Coldplay, Death Cab, Nickel Creek, and Radio Head.
Amber Evanson, Outreach Coordinator ambere@upc.org
Where are you from? I was born in England and grew up in California. I moved to Washington during high school. Since then I’ve lived in the Dominican Republic, Spain, and Ecuador.
Tell us about your education… I have a BA in International Studies from the University of Washington.
Why are you excited to be at UPC? UPC is a church that is committed to loving our neighbors in a variety of ways. There are dynamic people and amazing partnerships. I’m excited to be a part of God’s work in the U-District, in Seattle, across the country, and around the world.
What are the best/most random jobs you’ve had? I work as a rafting guide on the weekends. It is super fun…you should come! The best/most random job I ever had (also the first job I ever had) was wearing a Bart Simpson theme park-style suit around the Santa Barbara County Fair. I couldn’t talk and had to be led around the fairgrounds by someone so I wouldn’t fall over because the head was so heavy. I could only see out the mesh that made up the mouth. Totally random, but a sweet first job.
What are you listening to right now? Pandora chooses my music for me (did you know there is a 40 hour per month free listening limit? Bummer.) at the moment, it is Coldplay.
UNIVERSITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
4540 Fifteenth Ave. NE • Seattle, Washington 98105
