The Youth Leadership Team

The Youth Leadership Team (YLT) is charged by the Sunset Eldership to oversee the work of the Sunset Youth Group (SYG). The YLT is made up of ministers, deacons, and elder(s), specifically appointed to serve in the area of youth ministry. The purpose of the YLT is to ensure that the youth ministry is sustainable and effective in carrying out the ministry vision. The youth ministers work closely with the youth deacons in the development and implementation of the vision. Each deacon is assigned a specific area of the ministry to oversee and acts as a liaison between their specific area of the youth ministry and the rest of the YLT. Within each of their areas, the deacons work with the youth ministers to develop and empower volunteer teams which carry out and execute the ministry vision.

  • Garrett Behrends

    Minister

    Garrett graduated from Lubbock Christian University with a BA in Youth and Family Ministry in 2010. He has been serving as a youth minister for over a decade and has been with Sunset since 2021. Garrett met his wife, Amanda, while at LCU and they got married in 2011. He is a huge Texas Ranger fan and knows they will be relevant again someday (I told you they would be!).


    E-mail: garrett.behrends@sunset.cc

    Phone: 806-788-3295

  • Chris Raney

    Deacon

    Chris was born on August 16, 1968 is Midland, Texas and grew up in Brownfield, Texas.   Chris graduated from Abilene Christian University in December of 1990 with a major in accounting and moved to Lubbock in 1991. He has been a West Texan all of his life  He is self employed as a real estate appraiser.  Chris is married to Lisa whom he met at Sunset.  The Raney’s have attended Sunset since 1996 and Chris has been a deacon for 13 years helping with both the kids and youth ministries.  They have three children, Kaytlin, Maggie, and Reagon who have all attended Sunset and been members of the Sunset Youth Group.  Chris’ favorite scripture is Romans 15:13.  He enjoys playing golf and watching his kids activities.


    E-mail: 

  • Pat Sheafer

    Deacon

    In 2003, the Sheaffer’s moved to Lubbock where Pat began working with Adventures in Missions.  Prior to arriving in Lubbock, he and his family served five years in Guadalajara, Mexico as church planting missionaries.  He and Malissa have three sons; Noah (23 yrs.) married to Kiera, Luke (21 yrs.) and Titus (18 yrs.) and have been married 28 years.  Pat holds degrees from LCU and SIBI. 


    E-mail: psheaffer@sibi.cc

  • Cory Burns

    Deacon

    Cory loves the Lord, loves his family, and loves working in the kingdom. He thinks today's youth are an inspiration full of service and love. Cory loves the Red Sox and Toni's carbonara. 


    E-mail: cory.burns@sibi.cc

  • Allan Jones

    Elder

    Allan focuses on oversight of events. He is responsible for the definition, development, and execution of events that are in line with the SYG foundation documents. Allan sees that every event we execute is intentional and focused towards student spiritual growth. 


    E-mail: allandjones_98@yahoo.com

  • Russell Beene

    Elder

    Russell met his wife Sue (Pectol) while they both were working at Camp CH-YO-CA Christian Summer Camp. Russell and Sue married on December 28, 1973 and moved to Lubbock. He graduated from Lubbock Christian College in 1976 and began teaching school and coaching athletics. Presently, Russell is a recently retired school teacher and the directors of White River Youth Camp.They have been members at Sunset for close to 30 years and have three daughters who attend Sunset. They have five grandchildren.


    Email: russnbeene@gmail.com

Youth Intern

Lily Kite

Lily is a senior at Lubbock Christian University. She is studying youth and family ministry with a minor in linguistics! She hopes to one day be an ASL interpreter that specializes in the spiritual journey of Deaf teens. Her favorite color is green, she loves reading, and has been married to her amazing husband for a whole month and a half!


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