Rob has been on staff with Greater Vancouver YFC/Youth Unlimited since 2000.  He and his wife Iona developed and direct the Lifeteams program. Before Lifeteams, Rob worked as a high school Drug and Alcohol Prevention Counsellor for 7 years.  He also has experience in group homes, drop-in centres and as a youth and family counsellor. He is a certified mentor through Coach-net International and oversees Lifeteam’s youth work placements, guides all out-trips and mission trips, and mentors the men in the program.

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Rob has a Masters in Counselling from Trinity Western University and B.A. in Christian Education from Briercrest Bible College.  He and Iona are married and have three adult children, Kym, Eli, and Sasha.

Iona has been involved with youth work since 1986.  She has worked as a group home staff, drop-in centre director, foster parent, probation counsellor, youth services coordinator, and young adult pastor. Since 1995 she has been a youth work instructor, first at the University of the Fraser Valley, then at Columbia Bible College and now at Lifeteams.

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At Lifeteams, Iona works with the staff team to develop the Lifeteams curriculum and instruct the Youth Issues course. She is the head of Lifeteams Resources, training youth workers and volunteers locally and nationally through seminars and the development of tools and resources. She has a M.A. in Christian Studies from Regent College and a BA in Social Development from University of Waterloo.

Jen has been a staff member with Youth for Christ since 2001. She is experienced in drop-in and school ministries with both junior and senior high school students, and has also worked in a YU/church partnership. Jen has a BA in English Literature and MA in Leadership from Trinity Western University. She oversees the academic portion of our Lifeteams curriculum, ensuring our teaching and assignments align to give our students the best education possible. She also supports our students toward academic success. Jen is married to Andrew and mom to Ben, Keegan, and Nate. 

Laura is a gifted people helper who is passionate about journeying alongside others in their worlds towards freedom, healing, and wholeness. She has a diploma in Counselling and is currently completing her Bachelors in Human Services. In addition to her formal training Laura has been enriched by over 15 years of experience in various forms of Youth Work. She is a Lifeteams alumni from 2011 and after graduation she went on staff with Vancouver Youth Unlimited, overseeing work with street-involved youth in the downtown Eastside of Vancouver. Laura joined our staff team in 2017.  At Lifeteams, Laura mentors female students, teaches our small group class, and assists in the general running of the Lifetams program. She is married to Sergio, who is also a Lifeteams grad.

Carissa began her youth work career in 2004 as a church youth leader and made the switch into community youth work in 2011. Regardless of her roles and titles, spiritual mentoring has always been at the foundation of her ministry. At Lifeteams, Carissa cares for the spiritual development of students and alumni as our Spiritual Life Coordinator. She creates opportunities inside the classroom and out, to go deeper into the heart of God. Carissa holds a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Portland Seminary of George Fox University and is newly married to Colin.

James has been working with Youth Unlimited since 2012. He is also a Lifeteams alumni from 2007. James is passionate about introducing young people to Jesus as well as developing and equipping others for the same kind of ministry. James helps the Lifeteams students grow through both outreach and adventure opportunities. He loves the outdoors, doing archery and throwing knives, crochets toques by the dozens, and drinks copious amounts of tea. James is married to Renita, and is father to Ethan, Silas, and Liam.

Charina is a Lifeteams alumni from 2015. During Lifeteams, Charina deepened her relationship with God and grew in her passion for helping people. She saw YU’s heart for coming alongside young people to walk with them in their relationship with God and decided she needed to join the team!

In addition to her role with Lifeteams, Charina serves on YFC Canada's Partner Development Team. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Intercultural Studies and a Diploma in Youth Work from Columbia Bible College

Amanda is a Lifeteams alumni from 2003. Since Lifeteams, she has taken what she learned and poured it into compassionately and generously caring for the people around her. Amanda is responsible for providing meals twice a week and everything students will need to prepare their own meals for the rest of the week. Amanda’s husband Dan and their four boys have all been volunteers with Lifeteams over the years and are a part of the Lifeteams family.