Meet the Counselors
At Alpine, you can be confident that your family is in good hands. Each of our staff members and counselors are committed to serving you. Learn where they're from, how they came to know Christ as their Savior, and why they chose to serve at Alpine.
Andrew Stroud: Program Assistant
I am from Hume, NY, where I attend Hume Baptist Church. Currently, I am a Junior at Appalachian Bible College, majoring in Bible/Theology and Pastoral—Greek.
I first believed in Jesus Christ as my personal Savior at a summer camp when I was nine years old. He saved me by His grace, in His Son, for His glory--and I
am so thankful that He did! I feel like God has called me to work at Alpine this summer to help spread the Gospel. I am looking forward to see God work and
provide and be glorified in all that happens this summer!
Alicia Myers: Head Female Counselor
I was born and raised Francesville, IN and I have attended Bethel Bible Church in Winamac, IN since I was 18 months old.
I am a Senior, majoring in Bible/Theology and also Camping Ministry at Appalachian Bible College. I realized my need for a Savior when I was
around the age of four. My mom is the one who lead me to the Lord and I have been trying to strive to be more like my Savior since that day.
This summer I am excited to serve and encourage the other staff members to help them to better serve the campers. I am also excited about what
God is going to do through me this summer in impacting staff and campers’ lives towards spiritual growth and to also grow spiritually myself.
Miguel Yustiz: Head Male Counselor
I’m from the city of Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela and I am currently attending Beckley Regular Baptist Church in Beckley, WV. I graduated a
year ago from Appalachian Bible College with a major in Bible/Theology and a major in Music. Since then I’ve been working on a Master
of Arts in Ministry from which I’m currently finishing my third class. I was born and raised in a Christian home. Both of my parents were very involved in
church so I was constantly exposed to the message of the gospel. It was at age 7 that I finally understood the filthiness of my sin and my outmost
need of a redeemer and savior. My mother and I prayed that night and since that evening the Holy Spirit has convinced me and convicted me of my new
identity in Christ. By God’s grace I will be finishing my studies within the next few years to leave the US and be involved in missions. I chose to
work at Alpine this summer simply because that’s where God showed me He wanted me to be. Through a different number of events God closed some doors
and opened some others to direct me to where I am now. I’m excited and looking forward to seeing our Lord do a marvelous work in the lives of many
kids and teens during the next several months. Bring it on!
Brittany Lasorella: Counselor
I'm from Canton Ohio, where I attend Fellowship Baptist Church. I am a sophomore at Appalachian Bible College, enrolled in the Associates of Theology program.
My mom led me to the Lord when I was four years old, since then I have seen consistent growth in my faith. God has used church family, camp staff, and youth
workers to disciple and mentor me. Especially over the past year at ABC God has brought some amazing brothers and sisters into my life to encourage and grow my passion
for evangelism and discipleship.
I chose Alpine this summer because I am passionate about sharing Christ with young people and encouraging believers, the Alpine staff is passionate about the same
thing. Working at camp provides the unique opportunity to be stretched and grow. I am excited to see how God works in and through me and my fellow staff this summer.
I am excited to see His provision and answer to prayer as well as the growth of many young people.
Stefan Peterson: Counselor
My name is Stefan Peterson and I am originally from Minneapolis, MN, but currently reside in Beckley, WV. I attend Maxwell Hill Baptist Church. I am a sophomore
at Appalachian Bible College in the Interdisciplinary Ministry Major. I was saved at the age of six during the winter, in Norway. We were visiting friends who lived
there, while we were living in Sweden. I was staying in their boy’s bedroom, and at night they would play Patch the Pirate tapes. One of the nights they had
The Mr. Slippy River Race on. In it one of the people almost drowned. This made me seriously think about what would happen to me when I died. Since my dad was
a missionary I had heard the gospel many times, and I knew that I was a sinner, so I knew what I had to do to be saved. So then and there I repented of my sins,
asked God to forgive me of my sins, and put my faith in Christ’s perfect life, death, and resurrection. I had considered it previously because I had been a
counselor for a week a few years back and enjoyed it, and my parents had suggested it.
Kaitlyn Johnson: Counselor
I am from Kernersville, NC. My home church is Woodland Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, NC. I was saved when I was six years old on a Wednesday night in AWANAS.
It was at Alpine Bible Camp my senior year in high school that I finally surrendered everything to Jesus Christ. This May I graduated from Appalachian Bible College
double majoring in Bible Theology and Interdisciplinary Ministry. I chose to serve at Alpine this year because I know the impact that camp has had on
my life and I love pointing young people to Jesus Christ because He is the only one who can transform their lives.
Jordan Redfield: Counselor
I am from Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania, where I attend Calvary Bible Church. Currently, I am a Freshman double majoring in Business Marketing and Worship at
Cedarville University. I was raised in a Christian home and in the church. As a little kid I always believed I was a Christian, but it wasn't until I was
a little older that I realized how my sin was separating me from God and personally accepted Jesus Christ as my savior. I chose to serve at Alpine this
summer because I love camp, working with kids, and believe God has given me this opportunity to share His love with others.
Cheryl Crawford: Counselor
I'm from Parkersburg, West Virginia, and I am currently attending Daniels Missionary Baptist Church in Beckley. I will be a sophomore at Appalachian Bible College
in the fall where I will continue to pursue a major in Bible and Theology and in Elementary Education. I was shown the way of salvation by a godly lady during junior
Church one Sunday morning. Then later on that day when my Pastor once again spoke about the area of salvation, I came forward to receive Christ as my Savior. After
many years of being a camper, and two years of serving as an S.R.T, I have the honor of ministering once again here at Alpine Bible Camp. I only hope to invest into
the lives of each camper that comes across my path, and show them the love of Christ that was so influential in my life when I was a camper.
Nate Dickinson: Counselor
I am from Saint Albans, West Virginia, and go to Bethany Baptist Church. I will be entering my junior year of study in the Pastoral-Greek major at Appalachian Bible College.
I was saved when I was eight or nine on a swing-set in my front yard. I struggled with the sincerity of my belief because when I was younger I went
to a Christian school and was told I accepted Christ when I was five, but God has given me peace not by looking back at a certain decision I made (which I have), but by
looking back to the cross. I chose to work at Alpine because I knew it would stretch me. I have never been to camp or been a camp counselor before, but my God
is bigger and I cannot way to see how He works this summer.
Nicole Nelson: Counselor
I’m from Brazil, Indiana, and I attend Brazil Bible Fellowship Church. I go to Appalachian Bible College, and I am in the 2-year Associate of Arts program.
I am now a sophomore in college.
I was saved when I was a child in North Carolina. One morning when I got up, my dad was doing his devotions on the couch which was in front of a window in the
trailer that showed the mountains in the background. It was beautiful! I started asking questions, and my dad explained and answered them. By His grace,
I ended up trusting Jesus Christ as my Savior that morning. PRAISE GOD! I chose to serve at Alpine because of what the other counselors had said and told me
of how much fun they had doing the adventures and counseling the kids and everything. I love interacting with kids and doing outdoor activities. And by the
grace of God, I hope I can have an impact on the kids lives spiritually, physically, and emotionally.
Cody Hillberry: Counselor
I am from Sycamore, PA and attend Calvary Baptist Church. Currently, I am a freshman at Waynesburg University. I grew up in the church, but not until my early-teenage years
did I realize how important my relationship with Christ was, and how I was nothing without Him. It's been a non-stop learning process and growing in His grace ever since.
I want to serve at Alpine this summer because I felt called to serve God, I like helping and encouraging others, and I love Alpine! I can't wait to see God work in the
kids' lives.
Marlee Taylor: Counselor
I am from Lewisburg, WV, where I attend Greenbrier Baptist Church. I will be a senior at Appalachian Bible College and will earn a double major
in Bible/Theology
and Youth and Family Ministry with a concentration in Biblical Counseling. I accepted the Lord as my Savior at the age of eight when my second grade teacher
explained to me that just going to church and reading my Bible did not make me a Christian. Instead, I had to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ
by accepting Him into my heart and trusting that He took the penalty for my sins. I loved being a camper at Alpine and I served as a counselor last year. Now
I'm excited to be able to serve God another summer and see how He will work through me and Alpine Bible Camp to change lives for eternity.
Sergio Urias: Counselor
I’m from Manassas VA. My church back home is called Jesus Christ is the Lord and the one I attend here (in Beckley) is Daniels Bible Church. Currently, I am a
sophomore at Appalachian Bible College in the Youth and Family Ministry Major. The Lord saved me when I was 13 years old. The Lord used hardships to bring me to Himself.
My life never was the same after the Lord reached out for me. Though I have gone through some lows in my walk with Him, He has remained faithful to me by keeping
me with Him. I am looking forward to serving at Alpine this summer! It is great opportunity to serve God and His people and to have one on one experience with
the youth. Though I have already worked with the youth before, I have never worked at a camp and I’m really looking forward to the impact that the Lord will use
me to cause in the lives of the youth and also the way God is going to use the youth to impact my life.
Mike Sanders: Media Specialist
I live in Centerville, PA. My home church is Calvary Bible Church in Charleroi, PA. I’m not in College yet, I’m just graduating
High School. I’m actually going to miss my graduation, but I’d rather be at Alpine and serving God. However, I do plan on
going to Appalachian Bible College for a One Year Bible Certificate (2012-2013). If God leads, I might
switch to the Youth and Family Ministry Major. When I was young I had the notion that since my father was a pastor and my mother was a Christian that I was a
Christian by association and that God would just let me into heaven. When I was 6, I went to a Christian camp that my mother was the Bible teacher at.
There I learned that I had to make the choice to trust in Jesus, I knew that I should, I knew that it was the “right” thing to do, I just didn’t know why.
Later that summer I went to an outdoor Bible Club in my backyard that my older sister, who was a summer missionary, was teaching. One day that week I
understood that I was a sinner, and that it didn’t matter who my parents were, or what I did, I was going to Hell. So, I made the choice to raise my hand,
and after the lesson my oldest sister showed me how I could receive Christ as my savior. I chose to serve at Alpine this summer as the
Media Specialist because I knew that this was the best way to use my talents to serve God. I want to create something that will help the campers to not only
remember the fun that they had, but to give them something to look back on to help them remember what they learned about God at camp, and the real reason why
they were here.
Valerie Hepschmidt: Office Assistant
I am from Shermans Dale, PA. This past year, I attended Appalachian Bible College where I graduated with my Bible Certificate.
While at ABC, I attended Maxwell Hill Baptist.I was saved at the age of 7, and re-committed my life to Christ at 15. When I was 20, I accepted the call of full
time ministry/missions. I chose to serve at Alpine for several reasons. The first is because I love summer ministry, and summer camp is a fantastic way to get
involved in young people's lives. There is no greater joy than to invest in someone's life by becoming a role model for them, even if only for a week at a time.
The second reason is because I had been praying for the Lord's direction concerning my summer, and shortly afterwards I learned about the opportunity to serve
with Alpine for the summer. I truly believe God's hand directed me here and I am expecting great things from Him this summer! And last but not least, West
Virginia is beautiful!