High School and Middle School 

Over the past few years, God has been working in parallel ways in the lives of Bret and Mindy Taylor, and Mike and Beth Matheson.  Before the Taylors and Mathesons had ever met, both couples began to feel God leading them into MK ministry.  In 2004, each family joined Wycliffe, expressing a specific desire to work with Missionary Kids at the JAARS center.  In God's own timing, the Taylors were able to begin work during the summer of 2005, and the Mathesons during the summer of 2007.

Bret and Mike have been amazed at how their vision and areas of gifting complement each other's.  Bret and Mindy work primarily with the High School students, while Mike and Beth work primarily with the Middle School students.

If you would like to learn more about the Taylors and the Mathesons, please visit their websites:

Elementary School 
 

Patti Garretson is the Educational Coordinator at JAARS.  She and her husband, Dennis, have served with Wycliffe since 1976.  After their initial training, their first assignment was at the JAARS Center for almost one year.  Then in 1978 they began service in Ecuador until 1981.  While in Ecuador Patti worked in adult education. Afterwards, they were then reassigned to JAARS for five and a half years.  In June 1987, The Garretsons joined Wycliffe’s Maluku, Indonesia team.  In Maluku, Patti was the school administrator and teacher.  Finally, in June, 1997, Dennis and Patti were again invited to serve at JAARS, where they continue to serve.

Patti's responsibilities at JAARS includes:

• Provide consultant help for families with educational needs
• Assist families with enrolling their children in local schools
• Provide standardized testing of homeschoolers each spring to assist them in being in compliance with NC law
• Assist families with understanding NC homeschooling laws
• Oversee MK Safari and MK Station
• Oversee the staff of tutors
• To act as a liaison with Metrolina Christian School and their scholarship program

To learn more about Patti, and her family, please visit her website:

Dennis and Patti Garretson:
http://www.wysite.org/sites/garretson

Mentoring 
 

Jim Hollister is the Mentoring Coordinator at JAARS. In 1996 he began volunteering and since 2002 has worked in a number of departments at JAARS including Center Safety and in LAT proofing the Translator’s Translation. Prior to his service here at JAARS, Jim’s experience includes being a children's pastor, a pre-school and grade school teacher, family services worker and serving in street ministry programs. Jim's wife Phyllis is the Administrative Assistant at JAARS Health Services.  They have a son Nathan.

Jim’s responsibilities include:
• Recruiting Adults to mentor the JAARS MKs.
• Provide training, resources, and encouragement for those in mentoring relationships
• Ensure appropriate background checks are completed
• Provides support roles in the youth program as a whole
• Maintains the Youth and Family Ministries resource library

You can contact Jim at Jim_Hollister@jaars.org or by calling 704-843-6610

Transitions Ministries 
 

Gail Hutchinson is heading up this new ministry as a Transitions Consultant. She and her husband John have been Wycliffe members since 1976. Gail has served in a variety of logistical and service roles, as well as in language work and cross-cultural training in Asia and the US. She recently completed an MA in Pastoral Counseling and Spiritual Formation. Through her life, ministry, and training experiences God has led her to a special focus on issues related to life transitions, cultural diversity as well as grief and loss.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, contact Gail Hutchinson by email or phone. Or, just stop by the Transitions Ministries office in the LSC Building.

E-mail address: gail_hutchinson@jaars.org
Office phone: 704-843-6696
Office: LSC #253 (top of the main stairs, sharp right, 2nd door on right past the copiers)