Olle Larson

Director of Ministry olarson@statelineyfc.org

Olle serves as the Director of Ministry. His role focuses on working with ministry staff and overseeing our three ministry models in addition to ensuring that ministry is well supported and running smoothly. Olle graduated from DePaul University with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Psychology before earning his MDIV from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in 2021. Olle and his wife, Kelley, have been married since 2013, having met at Intervarsity Christian Fellowship at Rock Valley College, and have two children.

Celine Newman

Young Leader Pathway Director cnewman@statelineyfc.org

Celine serves as the Young Leader Pathway Director. Her role focuses on designing and developing a program for young leaders in our ministries. In this program, she’ll be empowering and equipping them in their discipleship journey. Celine also has an extensive background in camp ministry and will play a role in implementing our summer camp. Celine graduated from Concordia Irvine with a degree in Nonprofit Leadership and is looking forward to investing in the future of high-quality Christian leaders at YFC!

Cory Whitford

Harlem Campus Life Director cwhitford@statelineyfc.org

Cory serves as the Harlem Campus Life Director. He oversees programming and building Christ-centered relationships with youth at Harlem Middle School and Harlem High School. He graduated from Hope International University with a Bachelors of Arts (Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Eschatology). Cory is a Board Certified Trauma Crisis First Response Chaplain locally. Cory and his wife, Xavier, have been married since 2003 and have two children, and one grandchild.

D’Lisa Flannigan

City Life Director dflannigan@statelineyfc.org

D’Lisa serves as a City Life Director. Her role includes contacting youth in middle schools and local high schools and building Christ-centered relationships with them in schools and in the community. Her prayer is that these mentoring relationships would lead to discipleship. D’Lisa and her husband J.R. have two daughters.

Cami Navarrete Rua

City Life Latino/a Director mnavarreterua@statelineyfc.org

Cami serves as the City Life Latino/a Director. In her role, she will develop relational outreach and programming with a special focus on providing ministry to Rockford’s Latino/a youth. She is originally from Colombia where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She also has experience in navigating cross cultural relationships, as a youth leader, and even as a City Life volunteer before this role. She enjoys walking alongside people in their personal and spiritual growth and looks forward to helping youth grow as disciples of Jesus.

Daudi Ngendahayo

City Life Program Staff dngendahayo@statelineyfc.org

Daudi serves on our City Life team as part of our programming staff. In his role, he participates in programming and outreach with youth at the City Life Center. Daudi also assists with the YFC FC soccer ministry. Some of his experiences prior to YFC include; studying business administration, working in networking and relationship-building, and volunteering with a nonprofit focused on connecting immigrants to community resources. 

Courtney Hardmon

Director of Operations chardmon@statelineyfc.org

Courtney serves as the Director of Operations. Her role centers on providing administrative, organizational, and ministry support to the chapter. She oversees office management, volunteer and staff onboarding processes, financial management, and other chapter-wide needs. Courtney also provides support to our City Life team in a variety of ways. She studied youth ministry at Colorado Christian University and was previously a youth pastor in a local church. 

Adam Palmer

Juvenile Justice Ministry Director apalmer@statelineyfc.org

Adam’s role focuses on engaging youth through various outreach efforts within the local detention center, Roosevelt High School, and the community. He is a graduate of Grand Canyon University with a Bachelor’s degree in Christian Studies with an emphasis on Youth Ministry. Adam is also an Army combat veteran who served three tours in Iraq and received the Purple Heart. He also has experience in fitness training, coaching, missions, and management. Adam and his wife, Ellenie, have been married since 2008 and have three children.

Alyssa Newton

City Life Ministry Director anewton@statelineyfc.org

Alyssa serves as the City Life Ministry Director and oversees our City Life team. She also focuses on building Christ-centered relationships with youth in local schools. She is a graduate of Concordia University, Nebraska (B.A. in Behavioral Sciences and Music). Previously, Alyssa taught at St. Paul Lutheran School in Rockford and worked at Rosecrance.

J.R. Flannigan

City Life Support jflannigan@statelineyfc.org

J.R. serves as a City Life Support staff member. His role focuses on outreach to youth through our City Life ministries. He has previously ministered in a variety of settings in Rockford and Chicago, including church ministry and through an organization reaching young men called Project Hood. J.R. and his wife D’Lisa are honored to parent two daughters.

Haven Casey

City Life Weekend Lead hcasey@statelineyfc.org

In Haven’s role, she oversees programming and logistics for the City Life Center on weekend programming days. Haven has a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry, with her degree specifically focused on student ministry. She has experience working with youth in a variety of settings and backgrounds through her time as a church youth leader and intern and during her time teaching classes for kids whose parents are missionaries.

Board of Directors 

Tim Ancona, Chairman

Mindy Stadel, Secretary

Tyler Crosby

Cristina Frederick

John Hranka

Kelly Stern

Rick Bovell

Beth Fontana