Team Members
Dan Marlow
Executive Director
Dan Marlow has been in the ministry for most of his life. As a YFC volunteer and then on staff with Campus Life in the Detroit area, Dan ran Campus Life Clubs, served as a Church Youth Director and eventually became the Ministry Coordinator for all of Campus Life in the Detroit area. Following that, Dan joined the YFC USA National Office Team directing the program for the DC/LA Super Conferences on Youth Evangelism.
For the past fifteen years, Dan has served as Vice President of Production & Marketing for Ken Davis Productions and Lighten Up Ministries. Along with producing Ken Davis (and others) comedy, teaching and training videos, Dan created a two minute, daily radio program called “Lighten Up!” featuring Ken Davis, which is now heard on over 1700 stations in the U.S. and around the world. In addition, Dan directed the Dynamic Communicators Workshops which train Pastors, Youth Pastors and people in other ministries how to better communicate the greatest message on the earth.
Dan is married to Esther and they have three children: Caitlin, Dillon and Kendall. Dan and Esther's first grandson turned two in August. You can e-mail Dan at danmarlow@yfcdenver.org.
Tim Butler
Director of Juvenile Justice Ministries
As a YFC Chaplain for 30 plus years, Tim has had a wide range of experience. Tim started with YFC as a volunteer, leading Bible studies at Gilliam Youth Services Center. Soon DAYFC asked Tim to spearhead ministry in two new facilities. Under Tim’s leadership DAYFC expanded into the seven facilities that they are in today. Tim also played a crucial role in starting the ministry in Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and Greeley, all of which all are now their own chapter.
On a national level, Tim served on a committee that provided training for staff in the south west states. Partnering with the American Bible Society and the mentoring program known as Pathways, Tim helped develop the curriculum that is still in use. Tim also served as the City Life director for five years.
Tim graduated from Western Bible College in 1976 and was commissioned by his church as a minister of the gospel in 1982. Tim and his wife Joy have two adult children. You can email Tim at tbutler@yfcdenver.org.
Gareth Unruh
Chaplain and National Juvenile Justice Team Member
Gareth has been called to youth ministry since 1997. He is currently serving as the Chaplain at Mount View Youth Services Center and Lookout Mountain Youth Services Center with Denver Area Youth for Chirst’s Juvenile Justice Ministry. Gareth brings his seven years of experience as a youth pastor in Denver to DAYFC. During his tenure at Abundant Life Christian Center, as an Ordained pastor for the Rocky Mountain District Council of the Assemblies of God, Gareth's emphasis and love for discipleship has seen ten young people enter full time ministry.
Since joining DAYFC in October 2007, Gareth has been a bridge between the local church and the state facilities he works in, cultivating partnerships with over 130 churches and like-minded partners in different communities throughout the Denver Area and Front Range. In addition, Gareth leads back country backpacking trips for high risk youth to strength the mentor and youth’s relationships and focus on discipleship. He also serves on the board of Eagles Nest counseling ministries.
Gareth earned a BS in youth ministry at John Brown University. He enjoys hiking fourteeners and has been to the top of seven of them. Gareth is married to Jennifer, and is the father of three boys, Jake, Lawson and Eli. You can email Gareth at gunruh@yfcdenver.org.
Cindy Nick
Chaplain
Before joining the DAYFC staff in 1986, Cindy gained valuable experience and training while serving as a Volunteer Coordinator for Prison Fellowship and completing several courses in Criminal Justice and Juvenile Justice at the University of New Mexico.
For more than twenty years, Cindy has served as a YFC Chaplain at Excelsior Youth Center in Aurora, Mountview Youth Services Center and the Boulder Youth Detention Center. She’s ministered in several Denver area group homes and was responsible for starting the YFC Teen Parenting ministry in Denver and directing it for one year.
Cindy started Wreath of Light in 1988 and continues to direct it. What began as an effort to provide small Christmas gifts and cookies for kids in a needy group home has grown into a ministry that provides gifts, candy and Bibles for approximately 700 youth spending the holidays in 7 Denver area juvenile facilities.
She currently serves as Chaplain for Adams Youth Services Center and Devereux Cleo Wallace Youth Treatment Center. Her ministry goals are to see God glorified and His kingdom furthered by reaching lost and hurting kids with the amazing love and eternal truth of Jesus Christ.
A Colorado native born in Boulder, Cindy is currently working on her BS degree in Bible/Theology with Barclay College. She‘s raising her 13-year-old granddaughter Jacqueline and is the proud grandmother of Private Justin P. May, USMC. You can email Cindy at cnick@yfcdenver.org.
Claire Froehlich
Chaplain
Claire has been working in the Juvenile Justice Ministry with Youth For Christ since June 2009. Serving in youth ministry in Fort Collins, Estes Park, Yucatan, Mexico and Canberra Australia, Claire has also worked in worship ministry and administration with local Denver area churches. With a background in counseling, Claire currently works part-time for a local non-profit organization as an Addictions Counselor in their detox and residential facilities.
Claire has a passion for discipleship and helping at-risk youth come to know the life-changing love of Jesus Christ. She serves on the YFC Juvenile Justice Ministry team as a part-time Chaplain at Mt. View Youth Services Center and is currently working on certification as a Licensed Professional Counselor.
Having grown up in Littleton, Colorado, Claire continues to enjoy the unique culture of Denver by attending plays, concerts, art shows, as well as skiing, biking and hiking the foothills with her dog, Eddie, every chance she gets. You can email Claire at claire@yfcdenver.org.
Wes Mills
Chaplain
Born and raised in Kennebunk, Maine, Wes developed a love for being outdoors and enjoying God’s beautiful creation. So Colorado became the easy choice when deciding on where to attend college. Wes majored in business marketing and global studies. During his second month of school, Wes became involved in ministering to high school age youth.
Through a God-appointed run in with a Youth for Christ employee, Wes joined YFC in 2007 as an intern for Project Serve and spent 3 months in Mexico organizing and leading mission trips. He continued his relationship with YFC since that point and began volunteering with inner city youth.
Over the years of volunteering with youth, a consistent theme kept reappearing: these young men and women were getting caught in a cycle of incarceration. Youth for Christ had an opportunity to get involved in this important area of these youth’s lives through Juvenile Justice Ministries. Currently, Wes is the chaplain of a detention facility called Gilliam Youth Services Center, which is near downtown Denver. To find out more about Juvenile Justice ministries at Gilliam, email Wes at wmills@yfcdenver.org
Otto Pruitt
Director of Campus Life Ministries
Otto has been involved with Youth for Christ and Youth Ministry for 25 years. He was born and raised in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and became involved first as a Campus Life volunteer then joined the Fort Wayne staff. Otto has run Campus Life programs in urban, suburban and rural communities. His goal is always to build a solid student leader, and Steering Committee base. After all these years, Otto is as passionate as ever to reach young people with the message of Christ.
As Campus Life Ministry Director, Otto is overseeing the building of ministry on high school campuses in the Denver area. He enjoys being with kids and mentoring Campus Life staff for successful and strong ministries.
Otto has been married for twenty seven years to Denise, and they have four sons ranging from age 24 to 6. To connect with Otto and find out about Campus Life, email him at otto@yfcdenver.org.
Kevin Lengerich
Campus Life Club Director
My name is Kevin Lengerich, and I am one of the newest members of the Campus Life Staff at Denver Area Youth for Christ. I have been in Denver doing Campus Life ministry since the beginning of July, and I have loved every second of it.
I became a Christian during my sophomore year of high school, largely due to the ministry of Youth for Christ at my school in Decatur, Indiana. During my senior year, I went on the Campus Life Florida trip. That week, I recognized my calling and decided to pursue a life in ministry.
I spent the next four years at a small, Christian, liberal arts university in Indiana (Huntington University) and during that time, had the opportunity to volunteer with the local Campus Life ministry. As a high school student, I was fortunate to have the stability of Campus Life, a youth group, and a family who wanted to help me grow. Many students do NOT have ANY of those benefits.
I have witnessed a great deal of pain, instability and hopelessness among high school students. With your financial partnership as well as the love and care of adult volunteers, we can make an eternal impact on the lives of the students at Brighton High School, helping them to find faith in Jesus and to grow and learn how to navigate the challenges of this world as a Christian. Working with high school students, through the ministry of YFC, is the best way that I know to be able to impact kids’ lives!
To connect with Kevin and find out about Campus Life at Brighton High School, contact him at kevin@yfcdenver.org.
Becky Cohen.jpg)
Campus Life Club Director
Becky has been involved with youth ministry since her late teens. After growing up in Edmond, Oklahoma, she ended up in Colorado in 1990. Becky joined the Youth for Christ/Campus Life staff in January 2012. With a degree in Business Management and a true passion for working with high school students, she is currently the Director of Campus Life for Chaparral High school.
Becky loves being with family, working among the students and staff at Chaparral and spending time on the lake. If you know her at all, you know she loves animals and her home is affectionately called "The Cohen Zoo". Becky is married to Bob, and is mom to two teenagers, Austin and Ashley and step mom to Josh.
To connect with Becky and find out about Campus Life at Chaparral High School, email Becky.
Daniel Pruitt
Campus Life Club Director
Daniel grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana with a dad working as a Campus Life director for most of his life. He became a Christian when he was 12 years old, after spending time at a summer camp. Then almost ten years later He heard God again, calling him to youth ministry.
Daniel went to college at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana and studied physical education for 3 years, because he wanted to work with high school kids. Since 2009 he has volunteered as a Campus Life director. He currently serves as the director of Castle View High School Campus Life in Castle Rock.
To connect with Daniel and find out about Campus Life at Castle Viewl High School, email Daniel.
Zach Pruitt
Campus Life Club Director
Josh Soldner.jpg)
Campus Life Club Director
Growing up in a Christian home Josh participated in youth group at church and also was a Campus Life kid from middle school through High School. Both church and Campus Life played a huge roll as to why he is in ministry today.
Josh went to Anderson University, where he realized that his calling is to high school ministry. Knowing what a huge impact Campus Life had on his life from middle school through today, he moved to Denver in January to start the Campus Life Club at Ponderosa High School in Parker.
To connect with Josh and find out about Campus Life at Ponderosa High School, email Josh.
Ken Allen
Director of Development and Mentoring
Ken has been in full-time youth ministry since 1993 when he came on staff with Youth for Christ/USA and the DC/LA Youth Conferences. He was a part of the operations team for DC/LA '94 and DC/LA '97 and was the Director of Operations for DC/LA 2000. In 2002, he joined the National Association of Street Schools as the Development Director. In 2003, Ken joined Dare 2 Share Ministries as the Director of Events and Development. He was excited to come back to the YFC family with Denver Area Youth for Christ in 2011 as the Director of Develpment and Mentoring.
Ken is passionate about bringing the Body of Christ together in partnership to join God where He is working! Building teams and encouraging them to greatness is a part of Ken's heart as a coach. Reaching young people for Jesus Christ is a calling Ken has had on his life since 1993.
Ken is married to his wife of 20 years, Cari and they have served in youth ministry together with the DC/LA Conferences and as volunteer youth workers and currently serve at Hillside Church in Centennial, CO. Ken and Cari have been blessed by their three sons, Jacob, Ryan and Caleb.
Mentoring Young people is a huge need in the juvenile justice system. If you are interested in making a difference in the life of a young person, please contact Ken at kenallen@yfcdenver.org.