FAITH & FAMILY
FAITH


FAMILY
When you come to high school LifeGroups, you belong and you are welcome! We want every high school student to be a part of a caring community of people - people who will be their friend no matter what. We work to help students develop healthy, Christ-centered, friendships. In high school LifeGroups we want to take those friendships a step further so that they become more like family.
Meet The Team

Tuesdays | 6:30 - 8:30 pm
hosted by | Ryan & Joelle Cole
12147 York Road, North Royalton, OH 44133
Lauren & Austin Meyer
Austin and Lauren met in college in 2014. Lauren moved to Cleveland to complete an internship with CVCYouth. Austin followed her here a few years later and they were married in May of 2019.
Austin works as a project manager for Paul Davis Restoration and Lauren is CVCYouth’s Director of Ministry. They serve together in the North Royalton LifeGroup. Austin and Lauren truly enjoy getting to know students and encouraging them to live new in Christ.
When they aren’t spending time with students they are working on house projects, exploring parts of Cleveland, and trying new restaurants.
Lauren & Austin Meyer
8 YEARS
Austin and Lauren met in college in 2014. Lauren moved to Cleveland to complete an internship with CVCYouth. Austin followed her here a few years...
Ryan & Joelle Cole
For around 17 years, Ryan and Joelle have been actively involved in the life and ministry of CVC. During this current season of life, they have children participating in the high school ministry. As a result, it seems only natural to dive headlong into student ministries to help wherever we can. Ryan and Joelle live just off York Road in North Royalton and operate a franchise of Paul Davis Restoration. They are thankful for the flexibility our vocation gives them to serve the students and families of CVC. Their greatest desire is to demonstrate and guide students (and their families) toward an authentic and passionate pursuit of Christ. Ryan and Joelle believe this is best accomplished by “living life together.” Working with students at CVC allows them to walk alongside students and assist their parents in developing a deep faith.
Ryan & Joelle Cole
7 YEARS
For around 17 years, Ryan and Joelle have been actively involved in the life and ministry of CVC. During this current season of life, they...
Stacie Brandt
Stacie Brandt
7 YEARS
Stacie was born and raised in Iowa. She has her Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education from Clarks Summit University. After completing her degree Stacie came...

wednesdays | 6:30 - 8:30 pm
hosted by | Kyle and Amy Gustafson
8784 Pointe Dr, Broadview Heights, OH 44147
Cory Smock
Cory Smock started attending CVC in November, 2022 and became a member a few months later. He had previously served as a Youth Leader for 3 years prior to moving home to Ohio.
Cory has a heart for students who have tough theological questions and desires to guide them with gentleness and sound doctrine. He feels that there are a lot of distractions and temptations that students face and wants to serve and demonstrate what it looks like to be a follower of Jesus Christ.
Cory works as a 3D Artist in the video game industry. In his spare time, Cory likes to study scripture, play guitar, and enjoy the outdoors with friends.
Cory Smock
NEW THIS YEAR
Cory Smock started attending CVC in November, 2022 and became a member a few months later. He had previously served as a Youth Leader for...
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. 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 serves as the Assistant Director of Ministry for CVCYouth. Jack graduated from the University of Toledo with a Bachelor’s in Marketing. Growing up...
Kyle & Amy Gustafson
Kyle and Amy Gustafson have been leading an High School Bible Study since they married in 2012. They are both pharmacists and love to travel; you will often find Kyle in his ‘natural habitat’ behind a camera lens! They have 2 adorable dogs and two sweet little kids, Ezra and Lydia. Their two ministry loves are CVCYouth and Missions. They are passionate about equipping students to study the Bible and teaching the whole narrative of Scripture. Kyle and Amy are also the leaders of CVC’s medical mission trips to Ghana, West Africa, and have been part of a team-building a hospital there since 2012.
Kyle & Amy Gustafson
12 YEARS
Kyle and Amy Gustafson have been leading an Impact Bible Study since they married in 2012. They are both pharmacists and love to travel; you...

thursdays | 6:30 - 8:30 pm
hosted by | MIKE & DEJA GARCIA
8739 Mottl Reserve Dr., Northfield, OH 44067
Joe & Linda Valenti
Joe has served at CVC for over 15 years preaching, leading worship, and caring for the students of CVCYouth. Joe and his wife Linda met at CVC and enjoy laughing, boating, watching The Voice, and hanging out with their two kids – Grace and Logan. Joe holds his undergrad degree from Balwin-Wallace College and an MA in Theology from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary and enjoys reading, fishing, hunting, good BBQ, country music, water skiing, adventures, and live theater. Joe’s happy place is with his family out on the open water.
Joe & Linda Valenti
FOREVER
Joe has served at CVC for over 15 years preaching, leading worship, and caring for the students of CVCYouth. Joe and his wife Linda met...
Michael & Deja Garcia
Michael and Deja are recent Ohio transplants, they recently moved from Portland Oregon but really spent most of their lives in California. Michael is from San Diego, he grew up playing water polo, swimming and surfing. Deja grew up in Central California, 15min outside of Yosemite, and enjoys to run and hike.
Michael & Deja Garcia
3 YEARS
Michael and Deja are recent Ohio transplants, they recently moved from Portland Oregon but really spent most of their lives in California. Michael is from...
Josh Smosarski
Josh was born and raised in Cuyahoga Heights, OH. He grew up at Valley View Village Church and has enjoyed serving children and youth from a young age. Josh graduated from Cuyahoga Heights High School in 2013 and spent two years at Tri-C studying Early Childhood. His hands-on career path leads him to a Maintenance position at the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District.
In 2017, Josh married Audrey, together they reside in Cleveland Heights purchasing their first home together in 2019.
Audrey grew up in Southeastern Michigan and attended Kent State University to study Interior Design. After graduating from KSU in 2013 she found the Lord lead her to stay in Cleveland for a full-time design position. Audrey and Josh met while attending Neo Church in Independence. Together they enjoy getting outdoors, tackling house projects, and their newest addition to the family, Remington, a Barque Du Bourbonnais (French Pointer).
Serving at Cuyahoga Valley Church through Impact has been nothing short of blessing these past two years. We’ve enjoyed getting to know students on a deeper level while serving alongside the Hopkins, Fruits, Henards, Cort, and Dahlia!
Josh Smosarski
6 YEARS
In 2017, Josh married Audrey, together they reside in Cleveland Heights purchasing their first home together in 2019. Serving at Cuyahoga Valley Church through Impact...
Dahlia Orth
Dahlia is a born and raised Jersey girl who loves the beach and traveling the world. She’s a huge fan of spontaneous dance parties and will never turn down a coffee and donut date. Dahlia moved to Cleveland in 2014 to be a part of the CVCYouth internship program and complete her master’s degree. She fell in love with CVCYouth so much during her internship year that she decided to stick around and has now served in student ministries for over 5 years. Dahlia served on staff at CVC in a variety of roles before starting her own business and taking that full-time. Dahlia is passionate about seeing students come to know Christ and loves investing in the lives of high school girls.
Dahlia Orth
9 YEARS
Dahlia is a born and raised Jersey girl who loves the beach and traveling the world. She’s a huge fan of spontaneous dance parties and...