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 (married to Jeremy), Dillon and Kendall. Dan and Esther welcomed their first grandson to the family in August. You can e-mail Dan at danmarlow@yfcdenver.org.
Janice Schipper
Executive Assistant
Before joining the Denver Area Youth for Christ staff, in May 2011, Janice worked at Marilyn Hickey Ministries, Orchard Road Christian Center and, most recently, Colorado Christian University. In her capacity as Executive Assistant, she fills a number of key roles, none more important than the Prayer Coordinator of the ministry. Janice has a tender heart for lost and hurting youth and is committed to making an eternal impact in their lives.
A Colorado native, Janice is currently working on her BS degree in Christian Leadership with Colorado Christian University. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, making jewelry and other crafts, photography, dance, cooking, reading, traveling, and being outdoors. She is a big fan of the Denver Broncos and #15 - Tim Tebow. Janice and her husband, Gregg, have two adult children.
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.
Lucas Rosentrater
Chaplain and T3 Coordinator
Lucas has worked with youth at risk since 2000. He served his internship at Metro Chicago Youth for Christ, where he worked as a chaplain at Cook County Jail. During that time he also worked with at-risk youth in Chicago's neighborhoods, specializing in Latin gangs.
Upon graduation in 2003, Lucas became the head volunteer of a youth correctional ministry for a church in Dallas. In 2005, Lucas entered an international ministry arm of Youth for Christ, where he was a Mexico Area Coordinator, responsible for leading mission trips and ministry in five different cities of Mexico. During this time he also was involved in "Mission por la Foi," a ministry dedicated to the people of Haiti, which provided medical clinics, pastoral training, and sports camps.
Lucas is now the chaplain at Gilliam Youth Services Center as well as the Coordinator of DAYFC T3 which ministers to youth released from correctional facilities.
Lucas is a Graduate of Moody Bible Institute, with a BA in Biblical Theology with and emphasis in Church History/Historical Theology. Lucas grew up in Casper WY, and now lives in Denver. You can email Lucas at lrosentrater@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.
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.
Kristen Thomas
Campus Life Club Director
Born and raised in the Midwest, Kristen grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Kristen attended Homestead High School and was a part of Campus Life in that area for seven years. After graduating from high school, she went to Purdue University and earned a bachelors degree in Management from the Krannert School of Management in May of 2009.
Shortly after graduating from Purdue, Kristen moved to Denver, Colorado where she started a Campus Life ministry for students attending Cherokee Trail HS. Go Cougars! She would much rather be outside conquering the great outdoors than doing just about anything else. Camping, hiking, climbing, snowboarding, cycling, running, she loves it all, and if she has a chance to take kids along, that's even better! A huge football fan, Kristen always and forever will root for her Indianapolis Colts and Drew Brees. She loves Purdue sports and is a die-hard Purdue basketball fan.
Kristen has an older brother and sister-in-law who live here in Denver and a younger sister still at Purdue. Kristen says, "I love a great conversation and want to get to know you." To connect with Kristen and find out about Campus Life at Cherokee Trail High School, e-mail her at kthomas@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
Campus Life Club Director
Daniel Pruitt
Campus Life Club Director
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.