AYM Leaders

Matt Bruns / Youth Pastor

Matt Bruns. A force to be reckoned with. A state of being. A name. A face. An amazingly cool guy with awesome skills.

These are just some of the things associated with who I am. But, nothing sums it up better than the way it really happened. I grew up in VB, an import from Japan via Illinois and Australia. A Navy Kid of no particular importance. I was 14 when I met Christ, an encounter that changed my life completely. Since that day, I have been utterly confused as to what it is like to bring together a life for God with everyday life. But, I'm excited to be on the journey, and invite anyone and everyone to come figure it out with me. Jesus Christ is such a powerful man to meet, because he is everything I want to be and more. Compassionate, caring, loving, strong, noble, almost regal, yet completely approachable, down to earth, a regular guy. He makes Cool Hand Luke look like a dork. He's an incredible person, who reaches deep into a persons soul, and quenches the thirst that we all have. He has brought meaning to my life. I owe Him so much, and have so little to give. Thank you, Jesus.

I am a married man, with an amazing daughter, Lily, who at the moment is obsessed with Yo! Gabba Gabba! I bought a DVD of it at Best Buy for her because I am the best daddy she has ever had. I will destroy you in Madden, and give you all I have in any other sports video game imagined. I enjoy College Football, the Philadelphia Eagles, and Rock and Roll music. My favorite bands are, in no particular order: mewithoutYou, Future of Forestry, As Cities Burn, The Glorious Unseen, David Crowder Band, and Mute Math. I graduated with my Masters from Liberty University where I also recieved my Bachelors Degree. Kempsville High School Football Rules. I love my wife. and I don't know how to end this bio. AYM!

Steven Swartz

My name is Steven Swartz and, whereas some are the first person in their family to go to college, I am the first person in my family to get saved. I never had a strong church background growing up but still knew all the Bible stories and counted myself a Christian until one day a friend asked me why I believed. She also asked what I believed, and it was that seed that helped me see that I didn't have any idea about God, Jesus or the Spirit. God moved in me to want to change that and I began to read the Bible. The Old Testament helped me to learn who God was, and the Gospels showed me who Jesus was. All this happened at the age of 17 and since then I've married my dynamite wife Genna, got a bangarang job as a policeman, and am really enjoying being a part of the Cherry Blossom Christian Tiger Team (a.k.a AYM youth leadership).

Genna Swartz

Hello and my name is Genna Swartz. Like many, I spent countless childhood Sundays at church and in Sunday School. Though I had been taught Bible stories and was immersed in the church, I did not have a genuine comprehension or appreciation of Christ, His sacrifice, and His love. All I had in my childhood and much of my adolescence was a shallow knowledge of who Christ was, not a true relationship with God. Realizing that my faith was empty, I began actively seeking God. Now, I am married to Steve, finishing my master's degree, and psyched to be serving the youth of AYM!

Ashley Freytag Carolino

Let me give you a little inside scoop on who Ashley Freytag is. I grew up a military kid,traveling from place to place then finally settled in the beautiful land of VB at age 9.I wasn't raised in church and knew little of who God was. Before Christ came into my life I was lost, I had no direction or hope and everything I would run to ended within time. I was in Bondage to the life of heavy drugs, drinking, and partying. It consumed my everything,until a divine intervention of my heavenly Father took over at age 16. With discipleship and diving into the word of God my life did a complete 180 degree turn. For the past 5 years I've been traveling on this awesome journey following hard after the path God has set in front of me. He has given me incredible opportunities of services. From serving at a discipleship program for a year and a half,to working with the youth,to worship ministries.

Some randomness about me would be that I love the feeling of sand between my toes, my favorite drink is a frozen creme' brulee, and i have a problem with staring at people..im a people person. I apologize in advance if i ever do it to you.

My heart is to see this generation of youth step up and make a difference. I want these teens to be pumped up about the plans God has for them! To help equip them with the truth of what He has to say and confidence in His promises to face the trials the world throws at them. I'm extremely excited to see AYM as a place for these teens to surrender their entire lives and to have fun doing it!