Meet the YBL Team

D.J. Coleman serves as an Assistant Professor of Practical Theology at Indiana Wesleyan University. He is passionate about joining God in His ministry of reconciliation. Driven by a desire to minister with excellence, D.J. completed his Doctor of Ministry in Church Leadership and Community Witness at Candler School of Theology. There he developed an interactive, seminar-style training to educate and equip church leaders for effective multiethnic discipleship. D.J. utilizes this training to empower church leaders and congregations in fulfilling the Great Commission.

D.J. has served in diverse pastoral roles, including children’s ministry, student ministry, refugee ministry, prison ministry, and special needs ministry. His passion for the Global Church is evident by his extensive travels to Greece, Sudan, Vietnam, Israel/Palestine, Kosovo, and various other countries. D.J. is married to Sarah and has three kids (Jubilee, Benaiah, and Abel).

Trisha Welstad founded Leadership Center in 2012, and brings over twenty-five years of leadership experience to her work as a coach, consultant, and ordained minister. She holds a doctorate in Leadership from George Fox University and is an ICF-certified coach. Trisha’s leadership background includes serving as an executive, founding multiple nonprofit and for-profit organizations, and guiding leadership development initiatives for students, pastors, and business leaders across the U.S.

With a passion for leadership development, Trisha has taught at the collegiate, graduate, and doctoral levels. She has also co-created and facilitated grant-funded programs designed to help leaders and organizations thrive. Her work is driven by the belief that healthy leaders heal the world, and she is dedicated to helping leaders realize their full potential.

Kevin Becht is the Executive Director of Youth For Christ Southern Indiana. In addition to his local role with YFC, Kevin also served as a contributing editor of The YFC Three Story Bible and The Life Bible-zine with Tyndale Publishers, as well as a member of the Leadership Formation team for YFC USA. He and his wife, Kristi, both graduates of Asbury University, have three grown children, all of whom are Asburians, as well as one granddaughter.

Joshua Becht serves as Student Minister of Community Life at Northside Christian Church in New Albany, Indiana. Prior to joining the staff of Northside, Joshua served alongside Kevin, the YFC Southern Indiana, as a local Campus Life director. He and his wife, Lizzy, both graduates of Asbury University, have been married for five years and have one daughter, Hazel.

Dr. Julianne Burnett joined the faculty of Asbury University as the assistant professor of Old Testament in 2020. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Manchester and her dissertation is titled: “Was Moses Perceived as a Magician?” which delves into evidence of ancient Egyptian magico-religious practices as well as examining the Moses narratives in the Pentateuch.

Dr. Burnett has lived in England, Mexico, and the States and has been involved in theological education in a variety of contexts. She is member of the Society of Biblical Literature, Institute for Biblical Research, and is a junior fellow of the Manchester Wesley Research Centre.

Dr. James K. Hampton is one of the founders of YBL. In his spare time, he serves as a professor of youth ministry at Asbury Theological Seminary. A veteran youth worker, author, and speaker, Jim has spent 35 years of ministry focused on adolescents and the church. He is married to Carolyn, and they have two adult children.

Dr. Brian Hull is the Gardner Scholar and Professor of Pastoral and Christian Ministries at Asbury University, Founder of the Youth Becoming Leaders High School Christian Leadership Institute, and Director of the Forged: Youth Ministry Coaching Program. He has his Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies from Asbury Theological Seminary. Serving in church ministry for more than 30 years, including work at the local church and denominational levels, Brian continues to preach, present and write about the church, culture, and youth ministry. He recently co-authored the book, Youth Ministry As Mission: A Conversation About Theology and Culture, with Patrick Mays. Brian is married to Carol and they have four children.

Zachary Massengale is a Resident Director and Adjunct Professor of Christian Studies at Asbury University. He received his BA in Bible Theology at AU and an MDiv and ThM in Theological Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary. Before his current role he served the church in a variety of roles including family pastor, youth pastor, and head pastor. He is passionate about helping young people discern their gifts and supporting them through the transition to adulthood. His research interests include holiness, spiritual gifts, and the virtue of humility. His wife Lydia also works in Student Life at Asbury, and he has a 1-year-old named Harrison and a 4-year-old named Lincoln. In his free time, he’s probably playing sports or reading a book.

Dr. Jay Moon is a storyteller, strategist, and scholar with a passion for bridging faith, work, and mission. With 13 years as a SIM missionary in Ghana among the Builsa people, he has firsthand experience in church planting, water development, evangelism, and discipleship. Now a Professor of Evangelism & Church Planting at Asbury Theological Seminary, he also leads the Office of Faith, Work, and Economics, equipping leaders to integrate faith in everyday life.

A prolific author, Jay has written six books—including Intercultural Discipleship and Effective Intercultural Evangelism—and edited seven more. A sought-after speaker on church planting, marketplace mission, and evangelism, he has served as president of APM and GCRN and is the incoming president of AETE and ASM.

Beyond academia, Jay thrives in hands-on creativity, from building treehouses and throwing axes to mentoring small business innovators—always looking for new ways to connect faith and action.

Caleigh Smith is the Assistant Professor of Youth Ministry at Asbury University, the Director of Youth Becoming Leaders: High School Christian Leadership and Global Transformation Institute, and a coach with Forged: Youth Ministry Coaching Program. She received a BA in Youth Ministry from Asbury University and an MA in Youth Ministry from Austin Seminary. Caleigh has been pursuing God’s call to youth ministry since middle school, and she is passionate about training both staff and volunteers in the field of youth ministry. Caleigh has been married to her husband Trevor for 9 years.

Jenna Brock is the Assistant Director for YBL. She graduated from Asbury Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree and has worked with youth, youth pastors, and churches for over 16 years. Jenna is an active community member, serving in her church and on the board of AdventureServe Ministries. Jenna and her husband, Roger, have been married 10 years and have three boys. They all love to be outside as much as possible.

Dr. Jonathan A. Powers is the Program Manager for YBL and the Associate Professor of Worship and Interim Dean of the E. Stanley Jones School of Mission and Ministry at Asbury Theological Seminary. He graduated from Asbury University in 2003, from Asbury Theological Seminary in 2009 and holds the Doctor of Worship Studies from The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies. Jonathan has a passion for the intersection of liturgy and spiritual formation in the life of the church. He and his wife, Faith, have two daughters.

Bridgette Campbell is the Pastoral Care Counselor for YBL and the Coordinator of Outreach Ministry Teams and Commuter Life at Asbury University. She has a Master’s in Education from the University of Cincinnati and taught math for 12 years. In the spring of 2023, she began working at Asbury University after God called her during the Outpouring to begin investing in the spiritual lives of Gen Z students. She has been married to her husband, Rob, for 27 years and they have a son who graduated from Asbury University and three daughters currently attending different universities.