Judge Nicholas Ayoub grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he serves on the 61st District Court. He enjoys playing music and spending time with his wife and daughter, and serves as Protopsalti at St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church.

Laura Pavlik is a homeschooling mother of three who teaches the preschool Sunday school class and sometimes sings in the choir. She loves teaching and learning, writing (which is part of both), swing dancing, and baking bread. She is also the author of the adorable new board book from Ancient Faith Kids, Today My Priest Wears White.

For 35 years Charlene worked in Cincinnati Public Schools as a teacher, Assistant Principal, and Principal. She focused on inner city schools, and responded to food insecurity by starting a Food Pantry. Today she is the Director of FOCUS Cincinnati.

Elissa is joined by her friend, Bill Malloy, who was among the founders of St. Anthony's Orthodox Church in Spring, Texas. He loves to do volunteer work—at Texas Children's Hospital for years, and now at Institute for Health Quality and Ethics in Santa Fe.

Elizabeth worked as a child life specialist at her local children’s hospital for 10 years. After her first YES trip her outlook on serving others forever changed. She found greater awareness of the needs of every person, and how Christ uses each of us to fill those needs.

Jason is an algebra and geometry teacher in Phoenix, Arizona, and a former national teacher of the year for Teach For America. He is passionate about helping all students receive college degrees, especially his former students -- which is why he founded Camp Catanese.

https://www.campcatanese.com/

On the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, Michael Carr let go of his life as a Lutheran pastor to embrace a new life in the Orthodox Church. He serves as operations manager for Philoxenia Charities, which provides housing free of charge to any Mayo Clinic patient.

The director of FOCUS Detroit, Adam enjoys cooking, songwriting and performing, exploring, and spending time with his pitbull, Henry. He has 3 theology degrees (BA, MA & MDiv), and he started the Motor City Orthodox Christian Conference.

Nicky Lamanna studied kinesiology, anatomy & nutrition. Working through his own health issues, he and his brother, Nathan, developed a philosophy for optimal health through a holistic approach, and went into business together, creating the online company, Mitigate Stress. To learn more please visit mitigatestress.com

Kirk Ries, LSW, MNPA, is entering his third year as Director of St. Herman House – FOCUS Cleveland. He has over 30 years of social work experience in public schools, foster care, business development, and residential treatment. He and his wife, Amy, have 3 adult children.