Brandon Westgate – Denver, Colorado … The Rocky Mountain Conference office staff team welcomes Pastor Jade Teal, most recently the associate pastor in Colorado Springs, as assistant youth director. On December 1, Jade joined assistant youth director Brent Learned and youth director Brandon Westgate, in ministering to the youth of the Rocky Mountain Conference.

“I am well pleased that Jade has accepted the invitation to join our department. Jade brings a fresh enthusiasm and energy that will help us continue to enhance youth ministry in our conference,” said Brandon. “I am looking forward to witnessing what the Lord will do as our department presses forward.”

Commenting on her appointment, Jade said, “I am super excited to be joining the youth department.” She has been involved in youth ministry since she was a teenager and is “thrilled to be able to continue fulfilling God’s call on my life with the Rocky Mountain Conference.”

Born in North Carolina, Jade grew up a pastor’s kid and the family relocated several times, living in three states before she studied at Union College for her Bachelor of Science in religion and a minor in International Rescue and Relief.

Working at summer camps during her time at Union, “I fell in love with youth ministry and especially camp ministry because I saw first-hand how big an influence it has on kid’s spiritual growth,” Jade commented.

After graduating in 2021, she moved to Colorado and served as the associate pastor at the Colorado Springs Central Adventist church. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Stefan, and their two cats, reading, horseback riding and spending time in God’s creation.

Commenting about youth ministry, Jade believes, “It is extremely important that our kids get to know Jesus and experience a personal relationship with Him while they are young so that as they get exposed to more of the influences of the world as they grow older, they already have that foundation and can stick even closer to Jesus.”

“I am honored to be joining a youth department that strives to make it easy for kids to know Jesus,” she adds.

–Brandon Westgate is RMC youth director. Photo supplied.