JD Dudley – Pastor of Family Ministries -grew up in UBC’s Youth Ministry (in the mid 80’s… that makes him close to 25 years old… or 40… whatever!) Just so you’ll have an idea of how he got here, we’ll take a second and explain the direction that the Spirit gave him in the journey that brought him to the UBC Youth Ministry. He fully submitted his life to Christ at age 21 when he was at a Labor Day weekend retreat that UBC did in 1991. Since that day he has devoted himself to serving our Creator in ministry. That includes 10 years in youth ministry from 1991 – 2001 as the Area Director for Young Life in Ft. Smith and then the Student Pastor at Community Bible Church, also in Ft. Smith. In the fall of 2001, he came to UBC and developed the Leadership Training Project (LTP) Internship for college students and is still serving as the LTP Director. He also served as the Associate College Pastor at UBC until the summer of 2008 at which time he began to focus on ministry to families as well as the LTP. This past summer, God began to pull JD’s heart toward taking a leadership role in this youth ministry and after talking with Pastor Mike Lumpkin, he committed to giving Pastoral leadership to the youth of UBC.
In ministries that he has had the privilege of leading in the past, seeking the Lord’s direction has been a vital part of implementing the vision that Lord has given him. This ministry has been no exception. He says that because there are changes that are being made that steer toward the vision that God has given him for this ministry.
He can tell you about himself (hobbies, desires, quirks, etc.), but it’s better to experience things, rather than simply talking about them, so in time, his hope is that you get to know him as he hopes to get to know you. However, he will say that he loves his Father in heaven and He IS the reason he is where he is today, not just in ministry, but in life. JD has been married for 15 years to his wonderful wife and they have two children each of whom are gifts from our Father in heaven. JD is thankful for both the parents and youth, for the warm welcome you’ve given him since he has committed to this ministry and he feels privileged to get to serve the youth of UBC.
Laura Jean Otto – Family Ministry Assistant – grew up in Pryor, Ok and moved to Fayetteville in 2002 to attend the University of Arkansas. As a freshman, she quickly got involved at UBC and in 2005, she was a Children’s Ministry intern in the Leadership Training Project. Laura Jean graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Education and then in 2008 with a Master of Arts in Teaching. She worked at UBC part-time throughout college and has been on staff for the past two years. She enjoys playing sports, ballroom dancing, and creating art pieces. Her passion is to see young people come to know and deepen their walks with Christ. She is thankful to have the opportunity to minister to the children and youth of UBC and their families.
Joy Hutchison is the Assistant Director of the Leadership Training Project and the high school girls’ intern. She grew up in Jonesboro, AR and moved to Fayetteville to attend the University of Arkansas. She recently graduated with a degree in Recreation. She has been at UBC for three years and has been working with the youth for two of those years. Joy is also on staff at the Baptist Collegiate Ministry on campus. She enjoys playing the guitar, baking, drinking coffee, and hanging out outside. She is thankful that she gets to work in such a wonderful ministry and gets to be a part of seeing high school girls fall in love with the Lord.
John Cahoon is a youth ministry intern in the Leadership Training Project. He was born in Memphis, TN but raised in Jonesboro. He lived, ate, sleep, studied, and played in Jonesboro up through his Sophomore year of High School. He grew up in First Baptist Church of Jonesboro and attended the Nettleton school district. Then he moved to Hot Springs where he attended the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts. Afterwards he was accepted to the U of A where he is involved with the BCM and UBC. “My personal mission is to fall deeper in love with Christ and actively submit to His molding of my life.”
Lisa Covington is a youth ministry intern in the Leadership Training Project. She was born and raised in Fayetteville and has gone to UBC all my life. Her parents are David and Ann Covington, they also attend UBC, along with her grandparents and her aunt and uncle. She is the youngest in her family She has two brothers and one sister, all of whom are married. They’re a very close family and get together to hang out whenever they can. They especially love hiking, canoeing, and camping together. “My mission is to glorify God with my life by dying to myself and putting on the armor of God, fighting every day for the glory of God. I want the cross to be my all in all. Christ paid the ultimate price when God turned His back on Him so that I might live through Him, and he deserves everything that I have.”
Jordan Scarbrough is a youth ministry intern in the Leadership Training Project. He is a senior at the University of Arkansas double majoring in criminal justice and sociology. He is also a Fayetteville native. His passion is Christ and worshiping him through ministry, evangelism and studying his Word. “My mission is to worship God through obedience in fulfilling the Great Commission and treasuring Him above all.”
