Joel Smedshammer, Director
Joel has served as counselor, leadership training coordinator and director at YXL over the last several years. This year he’ll be our Director and will also coming up with all of our team challenges and games, so look out! Joel is Director of Administration at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Waco, Texas. He is married to Andrea Smedshammer and they have 7 kids, Bo, Ben, Bailey, and Brady, Blaze, Brooks, and Bella. Joel loves to play golf, watch his kids play sports, and hang out with Andrea and other couples from the church and their community.
Joe White, Evening Speaker
Joe White is a licensed counselor and ordained minister in the Orlando area. He likes spending quality time with his kids, playing music, and borrowing friends’ streaming accounts. Joe knows he is deeply loved by God and others, and is passionate about helping people know they are as well.
Jeremy Fair, Seminar Speaker
Jeremy is senior pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Jeremy is married to Kimbo and they have four children: Caedmon, Creth, Cale, and Cooper. He is a graduate of Dallas Baptist University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Before coming to CPC he served as associate pastor at Eastern Shore Presbyterian Church in Fairhope, Alabama and then as senior pastor at Arlington Presbyterian Church in Arlington, Texas. Jeremy loves the Texas Rangers, Oklahoma Sooners, outdoor activities, and nerdy gadgetry.
John Ranheim, Seminar Speaker
John is a YXL alum and native of Seattle currently living in St. Louis, MO. John works as a Senior Consultant for The Focus Group, assisting organizations, nonprofits and ministries with their fundraising needs. He previously served as the Vice President of Advancement at Covenant Seminary and loves equipping leaders for the church and kingdom. He is married to Elizabeth and has four awesome boys. John has been involved with YXL as a speaker, director, and teaching advisor since 2005 and has a passion for equipping the next generation of leaders for the church. He speaks regularly on topics of leadership, communication, and personal generosity. John earned an BA in Communications from Whitworth University and a Masters in Divinity from Covenant Theological Seminary. He is an elder at Chesterfield Presbyterian Church and has worked with high school, college and men’s ministries for the last 20 years. John is a lifelong Seattle Seahawks fan and cheers for the St. Louis Cardinals. John and Elizabeth love chasing their boys, running, skiing, and enjoying all things outdoors whenever possible.
David Poteet, Seminar Speaker
David hails from Blacksburg, Virginia, where he lives with his wife Tish. They have two grown children, Rachel and Joshua, both alumni of YXL. David is an elder at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church and a long-time youth ministry volunteer. He’s been a part of YXL since 1984! David earned his degree in Graphic Design from Virginia Tech, and he went on to found his own web development company called NewCity. David enjoys trail running, biking, backpacking, reading, board games and exploring new corners of the world with his family and friends.
Patrick Tebbano, Seminar Speaker
Patrick is an associate pastor at Northwest Presbyterian Church in Dublin, OH. Prior to this, he served for 17 years at University Presbyterian Church in Las Cruces, New Mexico (11 as lead pastor). He and his wife, Nicole, grew up in Northeastern Ohio and met at Grove City College in Western Pennsylvania. They are the proud parents of 3 children, Jonah, Hannah, and Zachariah. They have served for many years as licensed foster parents and share a passion for the ministries of foster care and adoption. Patrick is a graduate of Grove City College in Western Pennsylvania and Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. He enjoys hiking, backpacking, tennis, soccer, and green chile. Patrick considers it a blessing to be able to proclaim the free grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and desires to serve the church by building up the people of God and equipping the saints for the work of ministry.
Paul Ranheim, Worship Director, Seminar Speaker
Paul is a Seattle-born musician and pastor currently planting Redeemer Longmont church in Colorado and releasing music as The Wood Drake Sessions. He earned his BA in Music Composition from Whitworth University and his Masters of Divinity from Covenant Theological Seminary. Paul has previously served at churches in Santa Barbara and Nashville, and has led congregations and taught on worship for over 15 years. He has a deep love for not only seeing Christ-centered worship in this generation, but also ensuring that future generations have well-equipped gospel leaders. Paul is married to his beautiful wife Lizzy, cheers for the Seattle Seahawks, Gonzaga Bulldogs, and St Louis Cardinals, and deeply enjoys spending time in the great outdoors.
Evangeline DeGraaf, Head Counselor, Seminar Speaker
Evangeline DeGraaf is a native of the Seattle area, but now calls Silicon Valley, in sunny CA, home. She has been married to Kevin for almost 30 years and has 5 amazing children. Evangeline graduated from Covenant College with a BA in history and is currently using that degree to teach history to middle school students in a disadvantaged area of East Palo Alto. Evangeline and her four oldest children are all alumni of YXL (the youngest is still up and coming.) She loves being a part of this unique ministry to equip the next generations of leaders. YXL will always be a part of her family. In her free moments she loves to try new foods, read, snow ski, hike, and soak up as much sunshine as possible.