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 baseball fan (go Rangers!) and has a goal to visit every MLB stadium (only 23 to go).


    E-mail: garrett.behrends@sunset.cc

    Phone: 806-788-3295

  • Tristen Herbert

    Minister

    Tristen was born in Washington state and lived there for 15 years before moving to Lubbock. He spent his last years of high school attending the Sunset Youth Group. In 2019 he enrolled in the Adventures In Missions ministry where he was sent to work with the Woodland West Congregation in Arlington, TX. After two and a half years, he moved back to Lubbock with his soon to be wife, now Kaylee Herbert, and enrolled in SIBI. Tristen Graduated with an emphasis in Family and Youth Ministry from SIBI in May 2025. He has been working with the youth group since May 2024.

    Tristen loves the outdoors and any adventure where he can try something new.


    E-mail: tristen.herbert@sunset.cc

  • 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

  • Jason Kyser

    Deacon

    Jason is the deacon over Bible class. He is responsible for keeping our curriculum up to date and making sure we have a good teaching rotation with multiple volunteers. We want all of our students to  walk away with a well balanced education when they graduate from the Sunset Youth Group.


    E-mail: jasondkyser@gmail.com

  • Link Blevins

    Deacon

    Link is the deacon over families. One of our goals in the Sunset Youth Group is to ensure that families are worshipping and growing closer to God together. Link helps plan events and lead classes that bring our families closer together as the journey with God.


    E-mail: linkblevins@gmail.com

  • 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

Makenzie Hyde

Makenzie is a recent graduate or Sunset International Bible Institute. She graduated with an emphasis in Interpreting for the Deaf. Her dream job would be to work as a Deaf Education teacher with Kindergarten age students. She loves working with students of all ages and is thrilled to be working with the Sunset Youth Group. her favorite color is either green or blue (depending on her mood). She loves baking, art, and going on hikes with her dog, Willa. Her favorite Bible verse is John 8:36, "Therefore, if the Son sets you free you are free indeed."

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