
6TH - 8TH GRADES
SUNDAYS @ 11:15 AM
Room 104/106
Foundations & Friends
foundations
We believe that it is vital for every person to make a personal decision to follow Jesus Christ. Middle school students need to understand WHY we need Jesus before they can honestly make that decision. We use the New City Catechism curriculum to help us teach the foundational truths of the Christian faith to help students understand their need for a savior.




friends
When you come to Collide, you belong and you are welcome! We want every Collide student to be a part of a caring community of people - people who will be their friend no matter that. Friendship in middle school can be hard, and walking through those halls can be discouraging. We work to help students develop healthy, Christ-centered, friendships.
Why the New City Catechism?
Meet The Team
6th Grade Guys
Jon Sutton
Jon is grateful to be a part of CVCYouth. He is currently serving as a parent-volunteer in Collide with the sixth-grade boys (class of 2026). Jon began attending CVC in 2002, and God used the environment at CVC to prompt a close walk with his Savior, Jesus Christ. Jon also met his wife Kristina here, and they were married in 2004. Together Jon and Kris have three children. Nathan is their oldest, and he is part of CVCYouth’s Collide ministry, Abby is their middle child, and Wendy is their youngest. Both of their girls look forward to being part of student ministry when they are old enough. Jon also serves as an accountant for National Interstate Insurance Company in Richfield. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, vacationing to warm places, and anything else where he can be outside, as well as rooting for Cleveland sports teams.
Jon Sutton
3 YEARS
Jon is grateful to be a part of CVCYouth. He is currently serving as a parent-volunteer in Collide with the sixth-grade boys (class of 2026)....
Austin Meyer
Austin is a Cleveland transplant. He grew up on a farm near Hershey, Pennsylvania. He moved here in 2018 to marry his wife, Lauren Meyer. He immediately jumped into student ministry and has been serving with Collide and Impact for three years. Austin enjoys building relationships with CVCYouth students and encouraging them to grow in their relationship with Christ.
While Austin comes off as quiet and reserved it doesn’t take long to know that he laugh fills a room and he shamelessly dances every time a good tune comes on. Austin enjoys long naps, Star Wars, and never says no to ice cream!
Austin Meyer
4 YEARS
Austin is a Cleveland transplant. He grew up on a farm near Hershey, Pennsylvania. He moved here in 2018 to marry his wife, Lauren Meyer....
6th Grade Girls
Emma Hamilton
1 YEAR
Caroline Hotz
Caroline Hotz
3 YEARS
Caroline Hotz is a former CVCYouth student who considers herself a “coffee enthusiast”. She enjoys reading in her free time and going to the movies....
7th Grade Guys
Jack Hopkins
Jack Hopkins serves as the Assistant Director of Ministry for CVCYouth. Jack graduated from the University of Toledo with a Bachelor’s in Marketing. Growing up in the Cleveland area, CVC became Jack’s home church during his freshman year of high school in 2014 through the youth program. He’s taken up roles recently through leading the worship team and the weekly meeting team at the University of Toledo’s Cru movement for the past three years. He has found joy in the Lord through his worship ministry and the discipleship of college peers. Jack is a game fanatic, anything from the classic board game to sporting events, and is in love with all things Cleveland. He now functions primarily in the areas of outreach, service, and technical programming. He works closely with para-church organizations in the area and builds relationships with local school administration with the goal of inviting students to New Life in Christ. Jack works with our send team at CVC to help get students involved in serving inside the walls of CVC and outside the walls in the community. He also helps to organize worship and tech for all big events and weekly programming.
Jack Hopkins
Assistant Director
Jack Hopkins is finishing his last semester at the University of Toledo with his Bachelor’s in Marketing. Growing up in the Cleveland area, CVC became Jack’s home church during his freshman year of high school in 2014 through the youth program. He’s taken up roles recently through leading the worship...
James Fruits
Jack is with all of these crazy boys all by himself and is in desperate need of a guy that is willing to step in with him. Email him at [email protected] to get involved!
James Fruits
4 YEARS
Jack is with all of these crazy boys all by himself and is in desperate need of a guy that is willing to step in with him. Email him at [email protected] to get involved!
7th Grade Girls
Lauren Meyer
Lauren is the CVCYouth Director of Ministry. Lauren oversees all of the communication, event planning and execution, leader discipleship, and the logistical side of running the ministry of CVCYouth. Lauren most enjoys creating easy on-ramps for students in 6th-12th grade to be discipled to become more like Jesus through one on one relationships with youth leaders. Lauren served as an intern with CVCYouth in 2016 and was hired on staff in June 2018. Lauren has a B.S. and M.A. in counseling from Clarks Summit University. She says that her counseling degree “has become invaluable as I(she) walk alongside teenagers in some of the most formative years of their lives.” Lauren loves Cleveland and takes every opportunity to go exploring with her husband, Austin. The two never intended to stay in Cleveland long but the 216 has quickly become home to them.
Lauren Meyer
Director
Lauren is the CVCYouth Director of Ministry. Lauren oversees all of the communication, event planning and execution, leader discipleship, and the logistical side of running...
Holly Toporowski
Hi I’m Holly Top! I have been
working with CVC youth for over a decade. It has been a joy and privilege to be a part of such an awesome ministry! I am currently co-leading upcoming 8th-grade Collide girls with Kristin Brauer. Apart from serving with CVCYouth you can find me and the students
serving with the mobile pantry monthly. Missionary work overseas is also a big part of my life and I will be co-leading a trip to Indonesia this upcoming year. I am a Medical Assistant at Akron Children’s Hospital and love to do all the newborn visits. I coach
kids CrossFit at APC in Wadsworth once a week. I have six siblings, three nieces, four nephews, and a cat. In my free time, I love to hang out with my family. We are big on games, walking/hiking, swimming, bonfires, really anything! I absolutely love the
beach and everything that comes with it. Love going to the movies, skiing, and the zoo. Always need at least one cup of coffee in the morning. Favorite movie is Return to Me. The favorite band is LifeHouse. Favorite bible verse Hebrews 11:1. Favorite youth retreat
is Frontlines. Favorite food Pad Thai. Favorite dessert Honey Hut Ice Cream. I love to travel and I’ll try almost anything at least once.
Holly Toporowski
19 YEARS
Hi I’m Holly Top! I have been working with CVC youth for over a decade. It has been a joy and privilege to be a...
8th Grade Guys
Jason Lamb
Jason is a husband, father, IT Nerd by profession, and weekend woodworker/handyman by passion. US Army Combat Vet. Lover of all things techy and wood! Jason is married to his wife Hannah, and has two kids, Alex and Isabella.
Jason Lamb
NEW THIS YEAR
Jason is a husband, father, IT Nerd by profession, and weekend woodworker/handyman by passion. US Army Combat Vet. Lover of all things techy and wood!...
Andy Bay
Andy Bay grew up in Geauga county and has been attending CVC since 2012. He resides in Hinckley with his wife and 3 children: Jordan, Ethan and Colin. He has a passion for Truth and looks forward to joining CVC youth to raise up this new generation of disciples for Christ. His day job is in software, but his happy place is running trails in the area.
Andy Bay
1 YEAR
Andy Bay grew up in Geauga county and has been attending CVC since 2012. He resides in Hinckley with his wife and 3 children: Jordan,...
8th Grade Girls
Julie Bay
Julie was raised in the area and ventured West after college. She LOVES California but after getting married and having her 3 babies out there it was time to move home. Julie is a family girl… weeks are usually jam-packed with family dinners, kids sports, homework and family adventures. She is a creative person who loves to cook and is a graphic designer by profession. Julie enjoys coffee and anything sweet! She loves Jesus and felt the call to help with CVCYouth. She looks forward to sharing her faith, building relationships and helping young Christians grow in their journey with Jesus.
Julie Bay
1 YEAR
Julie was raised in the area and ventured West after college. She LOVES California but after getting married and having her 3 babies out there it was time to move home. Julie is a family girl… weeks are usually jam-packed with family dinners, kids sports, homework and family adventures. She...
Lisa Richardson
Lisa Richardson
3 YEARS
Lisa Richardson is the CVCYouth's intern! During CVCYouth events, you can find Lisa crushing behind-the-scenes tasks. If she is not working, you will find her drinking coffee, watching Disney+ or hanging with friends. Originally from Orlando, Florida, she is the youngest of 4 children, and an Aunt to three beautiful...