Mark Fortier. He and his lovely wife, Karen, have 4 kids Jacob (14), Hannah (12), Joel (6), Isabella (5 months). Mark owns and operates his own Mobile DJ business titled What A Party! He went to a community college for two years in Brockton Massachusetts and then went to Northeast Broadcasting School in Boston for his trade. Mark was born in Dorchester Massachusetts but grew up in Brockton Massachusetts. 

Helps out at the welcome table, giving a big high-five and smile to each and every visitor and helps with the UTURNers that accept Christ, praying for them and giving them a Book of Hope (condensed version of the Bible). He shares his heart for UTURN this way, "My heart for UTURN is to see youth together in a safe environment, getting to know each other and themselves also to watch and maybe have a small part in their spiritual growth at UTURN. I was not exposed to groups like this growing up and I want to see our youth and my own children grow to love and serve the Lord. They are the future of this world."

His funny story: "So these two youth pastors walk into a Jamba Juice…"

Favorite Scripture: "It's our family one, 'I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten.'  Joel 2:25".

Next time you see Mark give him a smile and tell him, "Way to go" for me!

Hello U-Turn Parents! My name is Kelley McFarland. I've been coming to U-Turn for about 12 years now, though a bunch of those years don't count because U-Turn wasn't U-Turn yet. Let me explain. When I was in 9th grade, I began attending Pastor Marty's youth group. It was then called Lighthouse, but within a few years U-Turn was developed and we had a name change. So I was there at the beginning of this adventure called U-Turn and I intend to continue on until God moves me elsewhere! I love teenagers; their spontaneity, their randomness, their passion for everything, even if that is a passion for not liking homework. They inspire me to view life with excited, reckless abandon, and I hope I inspire them to think something through before they do it!

 A little bit about me: I was born in Virginia Beach, Virginia, almost 26 years ago. My family moved to California when I was 7-ish, so there's no lingering southern accent (Though if I'm around it, I have to work hard not to slip into that southern twang). My family's story is a pretty amazing one. I'll sum it up by just saying: my dad was a jerk, the family exploded, God did some ridiculous cool stuff and brought us all back together, better off than before. That's the very, very, very abridged version.

 To cap off the work of restoration that God did in our family, He introduced me to my future husband in the fall of 2000. Jonathan McFarland and I have now been married 5.5 years, and we're delighted to be raising a beautiful 4 month old girl, Phidelia Jasmine. (Phidelia means faithful for those of you who were wondering.)

 I'm currently a full time mom, and loving it! I have other plates spinning in addition to Mom and U-Turn though. I help out with the Between The Lines drama ministry here at church and I do occasional free lance graphic design work. I had earned my bachelors in Art, sculpture emphasis, before we had the baby. I've also been to Thailand twice now to work with Zoe, and hope to be able to go back soon.

 I suppose my favorite verse is Mark 10:27:

 Well, there's me in a nutshell. Hope you enjoyed the flavor! -Kelley

This week features UTURN's very own Kyle Micha Morrell (aka Salzamorrelo).  His parents are Mike and Tammy Morrel, and he has 3 sisters, Crystal, Kearsea and Cammy (one of our very own UTURNers).  Currently Kyle is a professional skate ramp builder and is working part time at Val Surf, and as you may have guessed it, he is the head of the skate ministry for UTURN. Kyle also helps head up Wednesday night games, and lead most of the games that thoroughly gross you and your UTURNer out. Kyle loves to skate, surf and snow board.  He loves it so much and is so talented at it; he is even on the Rusty flow team (he gets free stuff every now and then).  Kyle states his heart for UTURN this way, "My heart for u turn is very big...  just kidding, my heart is to help the youth stay plugged in or to get plugged in and to grow. To have a passion for Christ and in doing so, having as much shred fun as possible!"  (Shred is a skate term for amazing fun :) Kyle shared a funny story, which perhaps some of you parents can relate to with your own kids (but hopefully not), "One time I feel asleep in class and when I woke up it was two classes later--no one woke me up for two hours!"

Next time you see Kyle, give him a hang-loose sign and a smile.

_pastor tim