ABOUT

  • SEPTEMBER – MAY
  • WEDNESDAY NIGHTS
  • 7:00 – 9:00P
  • SUBJECT TO COVID-19 GUIDELINES

*thank you for your patience as our team works to meet the current government regulations for gatherings!

In JHM here at Friends Church, our goal in life groups is to make our “big church” small. We strongly believe that we’re not supposed to live our lives alone, and that a strong community builds continuity for students in their relationship with God and the Church. We carefully place every student in groups of 8-10 of the same gender and grade, paired with 1-2 trained adult leaders. We meet once a week to study God’s word, hang out, encourage and pray for one another.

Register for Life Groups!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Registration & Placement

Registration is easy, just click on the link below to register! Within registration, you’ll have the ability to specify preferences for a certain leader or friends, if applicable. Regardless if you are brand new or just now wanting to get into a Life Group, we want to make sure that you are being placed in the group best for you!

Register for Life Groups!

Location

Due to changing guidelines at this time, we cannot definitively say if groups will be in person or virtual. Once you have registered, you will receive an email from the Friends JHM Team as soon as plans are finalized in accordance with government guidelines. This email will include your students leader, times and location of meeting, and any additional guidelines and regulations for Friends JHM.

Who Will My Leader Be?

JHM has incredible, trained adult volunteers ready to serve and mentor Jr. High students. Each leader has been through an application process that includes fingerprinting and a background check. From College-aged leaders to parents of Jr. Highers, we have a dedicated team that loves God and are ready to serve your students! They serve students because they WANT to, and God has called them to be a part of the JHM Crew. Life Group leaders are here to encourage, teach, guide, and walk with you as you follow Christ.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Registration & Placement

Registration is easy, just click on the link below to register! Within registration, you’ll have the ability to specify preferences for a certain leader or friends, if applicable. Regardless if you are brand new or just now wanting to get into a Life Group, we want to make sure that you are being placed in the group best for you!

Register for Life Groups!

Location

Due to changing guidelines at this time, we cannot definitively say if groups will be in person or virtual. Once you have registered, you will receive an email from the Friends JHM Team as soon as plans are finalized in accordance with government guidelines. This email will include your students leader, times and location of meeting, and any additional guidelines and regulations for Friends JHM.

Who Will My Leader Be?

JHM has incredible, trained adult volunteers ready to serve and mentor Jr. High students. Each leader has been through an application process that includes fingerprinting and a background check. From College-aged leaders to parents of Jr. Highers, we have a dedicated team that loves God and are ready to serve your students! They serve students because they WANT to, and God has called them to be a part of the JHM Crew. Life Group leaders are here to encourage, teach, guide, and walk with you as you follow Christ.

MEET OUR LEADERS

6TH GRADE LEADERS

Ashley Paynter

6th grade Girls

Ashley is in her 2nd year of a Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy at Loma Linda University. She loves to play sports, bake and spend time with family! She has attended Friends her whole life and is excited about this new chapter of leading a life group! She hopes to have authentic connections with her girls that lead to a firm foundation in Jesus as they prepare for High School. She loves Starbucks, Target and Amazon.

Blake Musterman

6th Grade Guys

Blake is the Director of Friends Jr. High. He loves hiking, anything outdoors and hanging with friends. He has attended Friends church since he was in Jr. High and has worked on staff for 5 years. He is excited for students to find belonging in the church & Jesus. He loves REI, movies & In N Out!

Cody Paynter

6th Grade Guys

Cody works for Aerotek as a recruiter. He recently got married and loves to spend time with his wife as well as golf as much as possible! He has attended Friends for 5 years and though this is his first year leading a life group he is very excited about it! He hopes that this year he can be a mentor and support to students as they pursue the Lord. He loves Starbucks, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Nekter.

Darin Ditmar

6th Grade Guys

Darin works as a TPA Relationship Officer. He loves golfing, fishing, wood working and supporting his family in all they do. He has attended Friends for 17 years and is looking forward to meaningful connections with his guys. He loves Golf!

7TH GRADE LEADERS

Brendan Flannery

7th Grade Guys

Brendan is a professional musician and technician who also enjoys woodworking, video games, and movies. He has been attending Friends since September 2019 and just started being a life group leader in January. He loves Amazon, Guitar Center, and Home Depot.

Connor Colby

7th Grade Guys

Connor works as a freelance film maker, directing movies, commercials and music videos. He loves movies, reading, and performing in musical theater. He has attended Friends for 12 years. He is excite to lead and impact our students for Christ. He loves Amazon, In N Out and H & M.

Kat Tamez

7th Grade Girls

Kat is a Biola student, before coming to Friends she served in the Jr. High ministry at Saddleback. She loves Disneyland, cards and anything crafty. She has only attended Friends for less than a year but it already feels like home. She is excited to walk alongside girls encouraging them and learning about their hearts and lives. She loves Starbucks, Chick Fil A & Smoothie places.

Katie Flannery

7th Grade GIRLS

Katie is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and loves playing with her golden retriever, spending time with friends, and listening to country music. She has been attending Friends since September 2019 and just started being a life group leader in January. If she could shop anywhere, it would be at Target, Costco, and Amazon.

Krystal Guerrero

7th Grade Girls

Krystal is self employed in the mortgage business & a veteran life group leader. She loves cooking for her family and friends and traveling. She has attended Friends for 16 years. She is excited to help girls gain Spiritual Strength. She loves Revolve, Lulu Lemon & Vogue Nails.

Jenna Galassi

7th Grade Girls

Jenna is a Medical Sales Rep. & a veteran life group leader of 5 years. She loves working out and traveling. She has attended Friends for 15 years. She is excited to help girls grow in Christ and understand His love. She loves Starbucks, Yogurtland & In N Out.

Jennica Langston

7th Grade Girls

Jennica works at Biola University in the Grant department. She loves growing flowers, dance, & being outside. She has attended Friends for 3 years and is excited to connect with Jr. High girls. She loves Starbucks, Bristol Farms & Old Navy.

Lauren Hansen

7th Grade Girls

Lauren just graduated and is now a Nurse! She has lead with Fortified and now has joined our JHM family. She loves spending time with friends, playing volleyball, line dancing and snowboarding. She has attended Friends for 16 years. She is excited to help girls grow in Jesus and community. She loves Starbucks, Chipotle & Target.

Logan Langston

7th Grade Guys

Logan works as an insurance agent. He loves cooking & iron man training. He has attended Friends for 15 years. As a leader he is excited to guide students toward a healthy, consistent relationship with Jesus. He loves Bristol Farms, Whole Foods and Sprouts.

Melissa Jones

7th Grade Girls

Melissa is a Realtor & mother to a baby boy. She loves yoga & is passionate about young girls knowing their worth in Christ. She has attended Friends for 6 years. She is excited to share Jesus’ love to her girls. She loves Peet’s Coffee, Amazon & Marshalls.

Sergio Mendiz

7th Grade Guys

Sergio works at FCS & FCMS as a lunch leader. He loves anime,video games & drawing. He has attended Friends for 12 years. As a leader of 3 years he is excited to dive in with a new group of students. He loves Amazon

8TH GRADE LEADERS

Aaron Perseke

8th Grade Guys

Aaron works as a General Manager at Party City. He loves photography, movies and sports. He has attended Friends for 5 years and is excited to be able to connect with students on a deeper level this year. He loves In N Out, Target, Chipotle.

Alexis Jonke

8th Grade Girls

Alexis is a Graduate student and works as a server. She loves music, writing and reading. She has attended Friends for almost 2 years and is passionate about helping girls know Jesus and share him with others. She loves Amazon, Express & Sephora.

Cathy Greenberg

8th Grade Girls

Cathy works at Chapman in Admissions Operations. She loves doing puzzles and spending time with her mom. She has attended Friends for 17 years. This year she is excited to continue building relationships with her girls! She loves Amazon, Chick Fil A & In N Out.

Dena Bailey

8th Grade Girls

Dena is a store manager at Ralph’s & is a grandmother and wife. She enjoys any outdoor activity! She has attended Friends for 26 years and has been a life group leader for 11 of those years. She is excited to connect with students and hopes to impact their lives in big ways this year!

Isaac Lai

8th Grade Guys

Isaac works as an ER Technician and loves Jesus! He has been attending Friends church since Kindergarten. He is excited to serve alongside his boys this year. He loves Chick Fil A, Amazon and Starbucks.

Jess Caldwell

8th Grade Girls

Jess is a Pure Barre Instructor & Office Manager. She loves Mission trips (local & abroad), Hiking and hanging with her family. As a leader of 4 years, she is thrilled to see how the girls grow, ask questions & invite the Holy Spirit into their hearts. She loves Target, Trader Joe’s & Amazon.

Jon Fuentes

8th Grade Guys

Jon works at Friends Church as the 1st & 2nd grade Coordinator as well as coaches JV Baseball. He loves Spikeball & Marvel. He has attended Friends for 10 years and is excited to have a more collective group this year. He loves In N Out, Starbucks & Chick Fil A.

Makenna Brough

8th Grade Girls

Makenna is an escape room hostess and owns her own film production company. She loves anything artsy, from knitting to theatre to playing the piano! She has attended Friends for 13 years and this is her first year being a life group leader. Some of her favorite places to shop are Amazon, Target, and Hobby Lobby.

Nick Prado

8th Grade Guys

Nick works as a Costco Gas tech . He loves cars and builds them in his spare time. He has attended Friends since he was a child. He is excited for students and himself to grow in their relationship with Christ. He loves all things cars & Costco.

Ray Rounds

8th Grade Guys

Ray is a husband, father and career guy! He loves movies, guitar and reading. He has attended Friends for 19 years and led a life group for 12 years. He is excited to connect with students & to develop their long term relationship with Jesus. He loves Starbucks & Coffee Bean.

Shane Wright

8th Grade Guys

Shane works for a Fire Protection Company and is a student at Calvary Chapel Bible College. He loves going to Disneyland, being with family and friends and the beach. He loves Friends and serving with students. He is excited to lead students to a close relationship with Christ. He loves Target, Chick Fil A & Amazon.

Shelley Gray

8th Grade Girls

Shelley is a wife and mother, she loves spending time with family and friends. She has attended Friends for 26 years and though has just started as a leader in Jr. High has been a part of countless groups here at Friends. She is so excited to see how the girls grow in their relationship with Jesus. She loves Starbucks, Nordstrom & Reunion Kitchen.