Mike Macintosh -HSE Founder
Mike is the Senior Pastor and founder of Horizon Christian Fellowship, established in 1974. He launched the Horizon School of Evangelism in 1977. Dr. Macintosh is also President of Horizon International (est. in 1980). President of Youth Development International since 1989, Chaplain of the San Diego Police Department, San Diego Sheriff's Office, Newport Beach Police Department and recent Developer of a prototype International Red Cross Crisis Counseling Chaplain's Department. He holds a Doctor of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary, 1992, A Master of Ministry from Azusa Pacific University School of Theology, 1998 and is an adjunct Professor at Azusa Pacific University.
George Clerie - HSE Director
HSE Alumni 1990
George is an assistant pastor with Horizon Christian Fellowship and presently serves in the School of Evangelism. After completing a pastoral internship in 1991, George and his wife Nanette moved to Pushkin, Russia and planted a church, which is continuing to this day. After six years in Russia they moved to Austria and taught at the Calvary Chapel Bible College Europe for two years. Upon returning to the States, He and Nan served with the Festival of Life Pre-Team in Queretaro and Aguascalientes. George has been serving at HSE since Spring 2003.
Brooks Gibbs
Horizon School of Evangelism Alumni 2001
Brooks grew up in a family damaged by divorce, struggled with drugs, alcohol, depression, and thoughts of suicide. He had a life-changing salvation experience in the middle of his high school years and God placed a desire in his heart to share his new- found hope with other youth. By his junior year, Brooks was hosting a local teen talk show and his desire to minister grew. In 1999, Brooks met his future wife Jill in Columbine as they were both ministering to students in the aftermath of the shooting tragedy. Jill shared a message of hope that rang true from her own experience--as a result of a gymnastics accident in 1994 that paralyzed her from the neck down. Brooks is a passionate preacher of the Word and has a special burden for broken and blended families.
Steve Gonzales
Steve is the founder and president of Dream Weavers, an outreach ministry working with junior and senior high youth. He is also the Mentor National Mentoring Coordinator for the More Mentors for Youth Campaign (mentoryouth.com). This is a federally funded faith-based program to recruit and refer Christian adults to work with youth in their local communities. Steve also works as a trainer and speaker for many schools, youth programs and law enforcement agencies working with at-risk youth. He has been working with inner city youth and families since 1983. Previously he was an Area Director for Young Life and a crusade director for Miles Ahead Ministries. Steve has been married to his high school sweetheart Elizabeth Gonzales for 27 ½ years which is his greatest achievement.
Shawn Mitchell
Shawn is the founder and Senior Pastor of New Venture Christian Fellowship and Schools in Oceanside, California, a dynamic church which he began with his wife and five others in 1989. New Venture has been rated one of America's "50 Fastest Growing Churches." Shawn is also the Chaplain for the San Diego Chargers, where he has served the past 19 years. In addition to these duties, Shawn Mitchell is a popular speaker in and out of the San Diego community, and has served as an instructor with the Billy Graham Association. He has spoken nationally as well as internationally in over 18 countries in the past two decades. Shawn holds a BA in Theology-Philosophy from Point Loma Christian College.
Larry Peltier
HSE Alumni 1978
After graduating from HSE Larry served for nearly 20 years as a pastor at Horizon Christian Fellowship in San Diego. His ministries at Horizon included 12 years as both director of the Horizon School of Evangelism and Director of Missions. Since 1995 Larry has been pastoring El Camino Christian Fellowship in Encinitas. Currently, Larry is Chairman of the Board for Care House Life Ministries in San Diego and Kick It, a Substance Abuse Ministry for teens. He holds a ‘Master of Divinity’ degree from the C.P. Haggard Graduate School of Theology at Azusa Pacific University.
Jason Stewart
Jason’s greatest passion is training the body of Christ for the work of the ministry. His evangelism ministry which is called, Living for Eternity (www.livingforeternity.net), is an extension of what God has done in his own life and heart since receiving Christ. Drawing from his vast experience as an evangelist, with well over 1000 one-on-one encounters with the lost, as well as his diligent study of God’s word about the gift and practice of Evangelism, Jason shares the mindset and tools of what it takes to be an effective evangelist in the 21st Century. He and his wife Lyndsey are HSE alumni as well. They are currently serving the Lord together at Horizon North County. Jason has been ordained through Horizon Christian Fellowship, where he has been serving since 2003. Jason will be finishing up his Master’s of Divinity at Azusa Pacific University in the spring of 2008. He has been teaching the Evangelism Course at HSE since 2002.
Mickey Stonier, Ph.D.
Mickey has been an Associate Pastor at Horizon Christian Fellowship for over 25 years. He is the Family Ministry Pastor at Horizon Christian Fellowship, Pastor/Co-Director of Horizon Christian Schools, International Outreach Church Coordinator for Horizon International Ministries, Chaplain for the City of San Diego Fire Department and current Coordinator of the recent prototype International Red Cross Crisis Counseling Chaplain’s Department. Mickey earned a Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Studies from Fuller Theological Seminary, School of Psychology, 1997, has been an Adjunct Professor at Azusa Pacific University, Graduate School of Theology, 1992 – Present, received his Master of Divinity, Haggard Graduate School of Development from San Diego State University, 1976.
Dorothy Bump
“And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings so that they should seek the Lord in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us.”
Acts 17.26-27
27 years old, California native. Dorothy began her studies in nursing at San Diego State University but soon realized that she was living to create security for herself and missing what God had intended for her life. She dropped everything to attend HSE in 2004 and has served on the team ever since, overseeing promotion and recruiting. God has put a strong desire in her heart to call the Body of Christ into a deeper relationship with Him, that they might be fully renewed in their minds and be motivated to mobilize others to change the world for Christ. Challenging this next generation to a more significant life for Christ is an exciting part of her role at HSE. Dorothy has had the opportunity to minister in Germany, Mexico, Poland, India, South Korea & multiple US states traveled to on HSE Road Trip.
Jeff Devine
“Not that I have already attained or am already perfected, but I press on that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.” Philippians 3.12
29 years old, Florida native. For three years Jeff was an owner/operator of his own construction company where he excelled as a carpenter. Answering the call of God, he and his wife sold everything, bought a travel trailer and began traveling across the US ministering to people wherever they went. Upon arrival in San Diego, both he & his wife attended HSE, graduating in Spring 2007 before taking a leadership role in the program. He served as an instrumentalist in various worship bands for five years and plans to stay mobile for the Lord for several more years and help seekers encounter the true living God. Jeff has had the opportunity to serve God in various places in Mexico, South Korea & multiple US states traveled to on HSE Road Trip.
Krisan Devine
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3.5-6
27 years old, Ohio native. By trade, Krisan has been a licensed hair stylist for the last five years. She has a background in business marketing. Since embarking upon a great journey across the US with her husband Jeff, Krisan has fallen more in love with God and the greater knowledge of Him gained through her experiences at HSE. She aspires to be a Godly wife to her husband and mentor to those who are seeking to a live a life set apart. God has given her a “missionary’s heart” and going where He calls her is very important to her. She has a dream of maybe one day opening up a Christian salon and leading short-term mission trips all over the world. Krisan has had the opportunity to serve God in various places in Mexico, South Korea & multiple US states traveled to on HSE Road Trip.
Jen Dobrotka
"Blessed is the man whose strength is in you, whose heart is set on pilgrimage." Psalm 84:5
32 years old, Minnesota native. Jen got her bachelors degree in biology from the University of Arizona. She went on to study at Calvary Chapel Bible College in both Murrieta, California and Austria and it was there that she truly surrendered her heart and life to God, beginning to understand how great the Father's love was for her. She was on the mission field for 3 years in Austria, Mexico and Hungary before returning to CA and attending HSE in the spring of 2003. She now works at Horizon North County as well as assisting administratively on the HSE team. She has a love for missions and desires to see many go into all the world to preach the gospel. Jen has had the opportunity to serve God in various parts of Mexico, Austria, Mexico and Hungary.
Ryan Haggerty
“The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.” Isaiah 58.11
29 years old, California native. Ryan has radically experienced the saving power of Christ. For three years he was the owner/operator of Worldwide Express, a sales and marketing partner of DHL, a global air express carrier. His team built over a million dollars in sales revenue in little over a year. At 26 he had obtained the American dream, but the pursuit drove him into a deep depression and nearly cost him his life. The revelation of Jesus Christ caused a 180-degree turn in his life. Now entering his second year on the HSE leadership team, Ryan has a vision to develop a ministry network that would allow for HSE to purposely disciple and send out servant leaders to change the world for Christ; the vision has begun to come to fruition through HSE Road Trip, a practicum option offered the past three semesters. Ryan has had the opportunity to minister in Mexico, Poland, South Korea & multiple US states traveled to on HSE Road Trip.
Sam Jacobs
“Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second like it is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22.37-40
26 years old, Pennsylvania native. Sam spent his first years out of high school in the Marine Corps traveling to the shores of Virginia and South Carolina, on to Japan, finally ending up in Southern California. After his fourth year of service, God called him to HSE, where he graduated in 2006. He is a gifted musician with a love for the saxophone, violin & french horn and has a passion for photography. One of his favorite things about HSE is watching the variety of people pass through the program and the opportunity to love students, partaking in their growth. He aspires to walk fully in his gifts and to be an effective minister in advancing God’s Kingdom. Sam has had the opportunity to serve God in various parts of Mexico, India, South Korea and Hawaii.
Ali Kaun
“But arise and stand on your feet for I have appeared to you for this purpose. To make you a minister and a witness both of the things that you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you…to open their eyes in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.” Acts 26.16-18
28 years old, California native. Ali came to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ at Cal Poly Pomona University where she spent her first year studying veterinary medicine, switched over to landscape architecture for two years and finally finished up her degree in China having officially majored in liberal arts. The following year she got certified to teach English as a second language through the University of Southern California, Irvine. She worked in marketing, communications and research for various missions organizations and worked a brief stint as a flight attendant. Her first missions trip was to Taiwan and China in 2000 where she met her husband Devin, and has since returned to various parts of China 6 more times. God led her and her husband to attend HSE from 2006-2007 where He further confirmed the call on their lives. She aspires to run His race with endurance, to be a sniper for God with her prayers, and to press on towards the upwards calling of Christ in any country, culture or place God leads her family. Ali has had the opportunity to serve God in various parts of Mexico, Taiwan, China and Poland.
Devin Kaun
“One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in His temple.” Psalm 27.4
28 years old, California native. Having a heart for missions at a young age, Devin spent many junior high summers in Mexico where his love for the lost grew enormously. Upon high school graduation he moved to Indonesia and lived on a tiny island where he illustrated books for Wycliffe Bible translators working to create a written form of a native Indonesian language. After coming home, he attended and graduated from the Laguna College of Art and Design with a Bachelors Degree in Fine Art and got certified to teach English as a second language at the University of California, Irvine. He is by trade a graphic & product designer and spent a 9 month stint in Taiwan doing missionary work and teaching English. God called him to HSE in 2006 and has loved the challenge in living a life totally sold out for Christ. He aspires to have a heart knit closely to God and a keen eye for what God is doing in the world, knowing how to respond. Devin has had the opportunity to serve God in various places in Mexico, Poland, Czech Republic, Taiwan, various places in China, Indonesia and South Korea.
Joe Kraft
“Continue earnestly in payer being vigilant with thanksgiving meanwhile praying also for us that God would open to us a door for the word to speak the mystery of Christ towards those who are outside redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know ho you ought to answer each one.”
28 years old, California native. Joe began his studies at San Diego State University in Business Administration. Having started up his own Clothing Company, Volition, and eventually a flagship store in 2002, he dove whole-heartedly into the endeavor until God called him to attend HSE in 2004. Now on staff with HSE, he spends his mornings helping to develop, design and oversea HSE 2 internships. His afternoon/evening and free time is spent working on clothing and graphic design projects as well as consulting. Joe has a heart for Japan, and one day hopes to be a part of a greater revelation of Christ sweeping that country. He aspires to equip missionaries to share the gospel wherever they go through tent-making ministries involving clothing and art. Joe has had the opportunity to serve God in various parts of Mexico, Poland, South Korea, Japan, Canada & multiple US states traveled to on HSE Road Trip.
Angela Kuhn
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us.”
Ephesians 3.20
23 years old, California native. One of the most impactful moments of Angela’s life came as she was sharing the gospel with children at the 2004 Rosarito Festival De Vida in Mexico. She knew then, in the deepest parts of her heart, that God had a purpose for her life and wanted to use her to do great things for His Kingdom. Having graduated from HSE in 2004, she has served on the HSE team in a discipleship and administrative role. She loves meeting new students and watching how God is faithful to provide for them as they step out in faith. She aspires to be the best wife and mother she can be to her husband Jeff and her son, Jediah. Angela has had the opportunity to serve God in various places in Mexico, Israel and South Korea.
Jeff Kuhn
“The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble and He knows those who trust in Him.” Nahum 1.7
32 years old, California native. Jeff earned his BA in International Economics from Sonoma State University, having studied Spanish in Queretaro, Mexico from 2001-2002. He has a background of working extensively in the golf industry and gave up a future of going semi-pro to follow Christ. God led him to HSE in 2004, where he met his lovely wife Angela and proposed to her on their HSE internship in Israel. Jeff feels God has called him and his family to the mission field and knows they will be sent at the perfect time. Serving as the assistant director at HSE has given him incredible opportunities to grow and teach and to live out practically a simple life of faith. In 2007, he became a father to a beautiful baby boy named Jediah and now prays to be the best husband and dad he can be. Jeff has had the opportunity to serve God in various places in Mexico, South Korea & Israel.
Amanda Selman
“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named that He would grant you according to the riches of His glory to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, that you being rooted and grounded in love may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3.14-19
26 years old, Texas native. Amanda graduated from college with a double major in Spanish and Speech and began work as a high school teacher and coach of basketball and cross country/track. Though successful, she longed to live a life of greater significance and literally packed all she had in her car and moved out to California with the hopes of being accepted to study at HSE. She graduated in 2006 and has served on the team ever since. She aspires to be a powerful weapon in the Kingdom of God, one who is not afraid to take risks, who laughs hard, loves freely and without regret. She has a passion for the salvation of the lost and diligently seeks to know God and make Him known. She hopes to see the whole world, each continent, each country, and each culture and to see them touched by the power and love of Jesus Christ. Amanda has had the opportunity to serve God in various parts of Mexico, Poland, South Korea and Hawaii.
Cisco Villasenor
“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you for my strength is made perfect in your weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12.9-10
30 years old, Illinois native. Cisco attended college in Gunnison, Colorado before he began working for a sports ministry called TbarM located in New Braunfels, Texas. It was there that he was exposed to missions and realized that God was giving him a shepherd’s heart and further stirring a heart for evangelism. The TbarM camps also developed in him a passion for the youth. One of his greatest draws to HSE was meeting the like-minded people that attending the school who also displayed a hunger and thirst for God like he had never seen before. After graduation, joining the team gave him the opportunity to exercise his gifts and pour his heart into the lives of those who want to impact the world for Christ. He aspires to be the best husband and father he can be to his wife Naomi and daughter Serena. Cisco currently serves as the overseer for HSE 1 and has had had the opportunity to serve God in various parts of Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Zambia, South Korea, Poland
and Israel.
Naomi Villasenor
“Delight yourself in the Lord and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37.4
28 years old, California native. At the age of 21, Naomi fully gave her life to the Lord, and when God called her to “follow Him” she did just that. God proved Himself strong in her weaknesses and caused her to rely on His strength and grace to get her through various hardships in her life. She believes that God has given her so much goodness that she didn’t deserve. After growing in her faith at Calvary Chapel Golden Springs, Jesus led her to HSE where she graduated in 2005. Perhaps her favorite part about serving on the team has been the environment of grace and love and to watch the growth and changes in the lives of all those who come through the school. She aspires to be the fragrance of Christ wherever she goes, and to be a godly wife and good mother to her daughter. She also hopes that one day she will get to go to different nations, evangelizing and discipling. Naomi has had the opportunity to serve God in various parts of Mexico, Chile, Belize, India, South Korea and San Salvador.
Dina Wessell
“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interest, but also for the interests of others.” Philippians 2.3-4
26 years old, California native. Dina has earned her bachelors degree in Cognitive Science & Neuroscience at the University of California, San Diego and masters degree in education from Alliant University. After college God called her to attend HSE. Upon her graduation from the program in 2006, she was asked to serve on the leadership team and has poured her time into loving, serving and discipling the students at HSE as well as taking on various administrative roles. Dina aspires to be a woman of excellence, diligence & integrity with hopes of continuing to disciple people in Jesus Christ alongside of her husband. Dina has had the opportunity to serve God in various places in Mexico, South Korea, and Poland & Thailand.
Scott Wessell
“Thus says the Lord,’Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches, but let him who glories, glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising loving kindness, judgment & righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,’ says the Lord.” Jeremiah 9.23-24
35 years old, California native. Scott is a gifted biblical teacher and has had the privilege of setting foot on six of the seven continents where he has marveled at the creativity of God and grown in even more appreciation of His maker. Having proposed to his wife on their HSE internship in 2006 in Poland, Scott and Dina have begun a marvelous marriage sure to be filled with bold adventures for Christ. He has hopes of starting more HSEs across America when the time comes. Scott has had the privilege to serve God most recently in various places in Mexico, South Korea & Poland.
