Van Hardin, Elder                                                                        (info coming soon)

Ronnie Dennis, Worship Leader
ronnie@explorethejourney.org

BIRTHDAY: April 13, 1977

HISTORY:  I was born in Vicksburg MS, but grew up for the most part in the Jackson area.  After finishing college at MS College in 2000 I traveled with a band and then in the summer of ’04 I moved to  Manhattan and worked for a church called the 411.  In March of '05 I met a girl named Shaunti … started dating her that May ... we got married a year later.  We moved to Jackson in July of ’06 and I started leading worship at The Journey in September of that year.  We now live in a little house in the Fondren area with our daughter Dylan Nicole and our son Carter Gene.

INTERESTS: I love movies, but have to admit that I see a lot fewer now that I have kids…unless you count Barney.  I'm not kidding, my daughter loves Barney…  I love music, favorites being: Ray LaMontagne, Ryan Adams, The Swell Season, The Frames, Death Cab for Cutie, Matt Pond PA and many more ... I also listen to NPR’s "This American Life" whenever I get a chance and "Radio Lab" from WNYC.  I'm a tv fan as well…I guess I just like anything that keeps me connected to PopCulture.  Other than those trivial things…I love spending time with my family.

SCRIPTURE: Philippians 3:8-11 (ESV)  8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

BIRTHDAY:  January 19

HISTORY:  I grew up in the Los Angeles county area.  I loved growing up no more than 45 minutes away from the beach, mountains and desert.  Received my Master's degree in International Public Policy and Administration from Rutgers University in New Jersey and my B.A. from University of California at Irvine.Moved to New York in 2003, met and fell in love in with Ronnie Dennis in 2005 and married him in 2006.  We moved to Jackson in 2006 and have been at the Journey since then.

INTERESTS:  I would say that cooking has become a pretty fascinating hobby.  I really enjoy it, except I never have the right pots or pans.  I am often improvising.  I have also been thinking about getting a blog, so keep your eyes open for that. I am social networking averse, but I do love the internet and having access to so much information so quickly.  I prefer to write a letter than email and I actually prefer speaking than texting, but I do see the benefit in both and my job would be a lot harder without them.I really enjoy pop music (old and new), musical soundtracks, latin, jazz and television theme songs...there aren't too many of those these days. Ask me to sing any television theme song from the 80s. Lately, I have been taking advantage of the book exchange in the ladies locker room at my gym.  There are books just sitting in a basket when you walk in and every week I find something great to read.  I try to remember to put them back so others can enjoy.  The last book I read was Jane Fonda's biography.  She's a pretty compassionate and smart women.Movies, I don't see many of those anymore so that has made me less critical of movies.  I use to be a movie snob.  I loved independent films and documentaries, but with being a wife, a mother and working I just want to relax and not have to think too much when I watch a movie.  I have found a new love of television.  Some of my favorite shows are on PBS, Downton Abbey and MI-5.  I really like Modern Family, Cougar Town and Community.  As for dramas I like the Good Wife and the guilty pleasure is Hawaii Five-O, Scott Caan acts circles around everyone on the show.  I believe that the idea of postmodernism has made everybody self aware to a fault, so we are always self correcting and not living or being natural in our response to stimulus around us or we just go no holds barred and not care about anything around us.

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm 139. I take comfort that God made me specifically.  It helps me to value who God made me to be and to value others.

Megan Voos, Outreach Coordinator megan@explorethejourney.org

BIRTHDAY: May 29, 1969

HISTORY: I grew up in CA and became a die-hard Dodger fan in 1977. I graduated from Cal Poly State University in 1992 with a degree in Therapeutic Recreation. I was a youth minister for 10+ years and still have a huge passion for discipleship. My parents retired to Montana 12 yrs ago and it is my favorite place to visit. My brother and his wife are still in Cali - 2 of the most fun people I know! I landed in MS on Dec.26, 2003 for a year or so ... I guess I got sucked in :) I started attending the Journey casually in the fall of '07, but quickly got sucked in there as well. God has given me an incredible community at this place - I'm blessed beyond measure!

INTERESTS: Most recent hobby is Roller Derby. Though it's probably a decade too late for this 40+ yr. old body, I'm having a blast! I love to knit while watching movies and football games. I unwind by walking my dogs 2 miles every day. I love to read, toss a frisbee, and I'm learning to tweet.

SCRIPTURE: One of my favorite stories is when Elijah is on the mountain after running from Jezebel. He has just seen God do an amazing miracle on Mt. Carmel, but he's running scared from this woman. After walking 40 days and nights, God sends him to the mountain so he can see God pass by. "A hurricane wind ripped through the mountains & shattered the rocks before God, but God wasn't to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but God wasn't in the earthquake; and after the earthquake fire, but God wasn't in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper." I want to have ears to hear God's whispers like a shout.

Life Verse: I Cor. 15:58 Therefore my dear brothers & sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord because you know your labor is not in vain."