GAP Youth Training Services

About Us

Mission
The GAP Youth Training Services is a nonprofit ministry based out of Santa Rosa, California. The vision and purpose of the ministry is to equip the next generation to recognize the call of God on their lives and respond to that call with excitement, purpose and responsibility.

Ezekiel 22:30 states: "I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the gap for me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none."

In Matthew Henry's commentary on the Scripture, he elaborates that sin creates a 'gap' out of which blessings are lost and into which God's judgment is allowed to enter. The Father's heart is that someone will stand in the gap, to suspend His judgment; such is His delight to show mercy. Henry further comments that when no one is willing to stand, it brings a curse on that people or generation; such that no one will speak a good word for them and no one will speak a good word to them.

We believe that today's youth are in that predicament - no one to speak a good work for them, on their behalf, or to them, as an encouragement.

Our heart is to speak the words that the Father longs for us to hear, that He is indeed for each and every one of us. It is this truth that brings clarity and vision, "eyes" to see beyond what is present into what is possible.

The GAP Youth Training provides the tools to empower you to stand, such that in the middle of any situation, any circumstances, any struggle - that faith, hope and love would prevail and reconciliation would replace the isolation and alienation that is rampant in today's culture.

Background

GAP Youth Training Services, Inc. was founded in 1998. Jean-Marie Jobs was working with the Association of Christian Character Development (ACCD) when they decided to release their youth program in 1997. GAP Youth Training Services was born. With the agreement of ACCD, Jean took the existing workshop and created a separate corporation dedicated to youth work. She pooled her efforts with several pastors and psychologists to revamp the workshop and tailor it specifically for youth ages 14-18 years old. The workshop is designed to address identity, purpose, individuation and connection needs and development. The focus of the workshop is loving God and loving your neighbor as yourself, in practical terms, everyday. In addition, GAP Youth is committed to supporting family relationships by fostering a deeper sense of intimacy, honesty, appreciation and gratitude between youth and their parents and siblings. GAP Youth Training Services, Inc. is a California 501C(3) nonprofit corporation, headquartered in Santa Rosa, California.

Board of Directors

James R. Green - A Tennessee native, graduated in August 1989 with a Bachelor of Science degree from David Lipscomb University, Nashville, TN, majoring in Engineering Science and minoring in Computer Science and Mathematics. James began his career in 1989 working at Vanderbilt University as a health physicist and network manger. In 1993, he moved to the Academic Computing & Information Services (ACIS) department of the university, where he worked until 1997. At that time, James moved to Service Merchandise Co., where he worked his way up to a Senior Network Support Analyst A until 2001. James then became the Information Technology Manager at Frist Center for the Visual Arts until retiring to run his own consulting company, Nashville Networks, full-time in 2002. Nashville Networks specializes in general technical consulting, computer network consulting and network security consulting. James is familiar with both Russian and French languages and is an active member of NESA (Eagle Scout) and IEEE. James has been involved with GAP Youth Training Services, Inc. since 2001. James currently lives in Nashville Tennessee and has been a GAP Board member since 2003.

Jean-Marie Jobs - A Texas native, moved to Washington, D.C. for college. Jean attended two years of college at Georgetown University in Washington DC., focusing on liberal arts and philosophy. In 1983, she moved to New York City, working for Marsh & McLennan, in their corporate office, continuing her education at Loyola Marymount and changing her major to management and marketing. Relocating to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1988, Jean completed her Bachelor of Science degree in management at St. Mary's College in Moraga, CA. After spending 15 years in the insurance industry, she retired as Vice President of Marketing for a local brokerage firm to pursue full-time ministry. Jean and her husband John have directed the youth choir at Santa Rosa Christian Church since 1993, which ministers to the elderly in convalescent and retirement homes. In 1998, Jean was hired as the youth pastor for Santa Rosa Christian Church and Source of Life Church in Santa Rosa, California. Since 1997, she has been involved with the Association of Christian Character Development (ACCD), serving as a facilitator for adult experiential learning workshops. Jean is also the director and founder of GAP Youth Training Services, a ministry founded in 1998 dedicated to training young people around the country and in Europe. In 1999, Jean became a Law Enforcement Chaplain, serving nine different law enforcement agencies in Sonoma County. She lives in Northern California with her husband John and their son Shane.

John Jobs - A California native, John moved to Arizona with his family during his high school years. John graduated from Rincon High School in Tuscon, Arizona in 1972. John entered the construction industry in 1975, where he worked his way up, through the warehouse, to Vice President of Sales for Pennacchio Tile Company in 2001. John has worked in music ministry for the past 20 years, singing and working with youth as a choir director and volunteer youth leader since 1993. John currently lives in Northern California with his wife Jean and their son Shane. John has been a GAP Board Member since 1999

Steve Marshall - A California native, Steve graduated from Sunny Hills High in Fullerton in 1973. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Bible/Preaching in 1977 from Pacific Christian College. Steve has extensive experience in Ministry/Non-Profit Organizations, starting as an Hawaii Summer Outreach Project Staff member 1975 - 76. Steve joined the staff of Santa Rosa Christian Church as Youth Pastor in 1978 - 90. He was made an Associate Pastor in 1990. He served as the Principal of Covenant Christian School from 1994 - 1995. In January 2001, Steve was promoted to Senior Pastor of Santa Rosa Christian Church, where he serves today. Steve lives in Northern California with his wife and their five children. Steve has served as a GAP Board Member since 1999.

Amy Maxwell - A California native, Amy graduated from University of California at Davis, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Women and Gender Studies in June 2001. During her college years, she was active as a peer youth worker with East Valley Foursquare Church in Sacramento, California. From 1998-1999, Amy also worked as a peer counselor at the Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Center (SADVC) in Davis, California. Amy has been involved in GAP Youth Training since 2000 as an apprentice trainer. She co-constructed and launched Gap's first workshop for youth in Amsterdam in the summer of 2003. In addition, she assembled and managed a team of twelve committed youth who spent six months of their time and raised over $24,000 to travel and work as staff at the workshop. Amy is married and currently lives in Madison, Wisconsin with her husband, where she is active in their local church working with youth and facilitating ropes courses. Amy has been a GAP Board member since 2003.

Laura Dobson - A California native, Laura graduated from Cal State Northridge with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Health Administration. In 1999, Laura volunteered with Youth with a Mission: Discipleship Training School and worked as a mission's team leader and a facilitator in the Surfers for Missions International Outreach, completing in 2001. Over the past 5 years, Laura has lead international missions in Portugal, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, and Morocco, Netherlands. Laura has been involved in GAP Youth Training since 2001 as an apprentice trainer and a sponsor for GAP Youth Training Workshops. She co-constructed and launched Gap's first workshop for youth in Amsterdam in the summer of 2003. In addition, she assembled and managed a team of twelve committed youth who spent six months of their time and raised over $24,000 to travel and work as staff at the workshop. Laura is a California Certified High School Athletic Coach and has spent time coaching local high school teams. She has her CPR Certification and Red Cross first aid training. Laura is an active member of her local church, where she facilitates youth work. She currently lives in Southern California and has been a GAP Board member since 2003.

Linda P. Costa - Born in Wichita, Kansas and raised in Southern California, graduated from North High in Torrance, CA in 1972. Linda attended El Camino College in 1973, Liberal Arts & Languages and transferred to Life Bible College in 1974. While at Life Bible College, Linda assisted in establishing youth group homes for displaced and run away youth with Christ Chapel of Gardena and counseled there for 3 years serving on staff as a Youth Pastor. Moving to Orange County in 1977 to co-found Gina's Pizza and Pastaria' in Corona del Mar, CA. Linda was CEO and Chief Operating Officer for over 21 years as the family restaurant grew to a chain of restaurants in Orange County. With a heart for missions and ministry, Linda served on the mission field from 1981 to 1986, with Teen Challenge International and co-pioneered a Church in Florence, Italy called Cantico Nuovo. During this time, she also graduated from the Universita' Per Stranieri, in Perugia, Italy. Her mission work has involved ministry in Holland, Italy, Mexico, Guatemala, Switzerland, Germany and Romania. In 2001, Linda was re-ordained as a Pastor with The Association for Christian Character Development. She attends Long Beach Christian Fellowship, in Long Beach, CA, and is a Coach with The Association for Christian Character Development. She is frequently involved in short term missions. Currently Linda is the CEO and founder of Reality Training Services, which along with Life and Business Coaching, organizes, staffs and produces leadership and interpersonal relationship seminars and workshops in Southern California. Linda lives in Southern California with her teenage son Giovanni. She has two adult daughters, Anna and Alita. Linda has been a member of the GAP board since 2004.

J. R. Young - A California native, J.R. graduated from SRJC with an AA degree in general education. He then attended San Francisco State before joining the US Air Force (during Vietnam - 1962). After the military service, J.R. enrolled at Sonoma State (1966) and graduated from Sonoma State with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature. He then got a California state secondary teaching credential and while teaching at Healdsburg Junior High for 7 years. J.R. completed 60 units of graduate work in Education with an emphasis in Reading. J.R. was an Elder with His Name Ministries from 1974 to 1979. He served as Senior Pastor for Covenant Christian Community from 1979 to 1985. J.R. then served as Senior Pastor for Santa Rosa Christian Church from 1985 to 2002. His present ministry responsibilities include Pastor/Elder for Santa Rosa Christian Church - Extension Ministries coordinating the Missions outreach and financial sowing for SRCC. J. R. also oversees monthly senior leaders meeting, coordinate annual men's /women's meetings, and occasional joint services for 3 churches: SRCC, Source Of Life CC, & Lifeline CC and Lifeline Ministries. He serves as a Pastoral Advisor to: Warren Hays, Steve Marshall, and Don Norris. J.R. is an Advisor to Board of Directors of Association of Christian Character Development. He also serves as President of Board of Directors for Hogar De Ninos Children's Home, Juarez, Mexico. J.R. is a Board Member for Toledo Bible Training Center and Belize Outreach Ministries, Belize Central America. He is also President of Board of Directors of Ilvarco International Ministries, Florence, Italy. J.R. has been instrumental in coordinating unity among pastors in Sonoma Country as a Servant Leader for Pastors Prayer Fellowship - Church of Sonoma County. He is also a Deputy Senior Chaplain Sonoma County Law Enforcement Chaplaincy. He is currently acting CEO of CDTS, Character Development Training Services, a ministry to AIDS patients worldwide. J.R. lives in Northern California with his wife JoAnn. He has been a GAP Board Member since 2003.