DVULI Welcomes Two New Liaisons

By: Eileen Schuring, DVULI Intern 

In June 2024, the DVULI team warmly welcomed two new liaisons, Juan Chavez (Phoenix 2017) and Mike Newton (Indianapolis 2013). Juan will oversee participant and alumni relations in Albuquerque, Denver, and Phoenix, while Mike is set to serve alumni in Indianapolis. 

Raised in South Phoenix, Juan Chavez is passionately committed to the revival of his hometown. After completing his education, Juan returned to his high school to teach and coach football. He quickly recognized the drastic need for positive role models and an introduction to Christ in many of his students’ lives. In 2019, he collaborated with the school to launch AZ Reach, a nonprofit that offers mentoring programs and additional curriculum during school hours for students dealing with behavioral challenges. 

Seeing a further need for spiritual connection, Juan is currently laying the groundwork for Beloved South Phoenix, a church intended to serve as a community hub for his students and their families.

 

Aligned with his mission of discipleship in his hometown, Juan accepts the role of a DVULI liaison after careful prayer and consideration. He is particularly enthusiastic about building relationships through existing connections. Having worked with numerous youth organizations in the cities he will serve, he helps foster a sense of unity locally. “I would like to see greater relationship development and collaboration amongst Christian leaders and organizations serving youth—cross-cultural and cross-denominational collaboration,” he says. 

Juan looks forward to shadowing the current liaison, Phil Abeyta, and getting to know more members of the current cohort and the future cohorts he will lead. “I hope to see both the Christian leader and the organization keep a rich love of God and a deep sense of dependence on Him for the work before us, keeping the posture of prayer always before us,” he says. 

Juan juggles multiple roles: DVULI liaison, church founder, pastor, and nonprofit leader. Yet, his most cherished roles are those of a loving husband and father. Juan and Tina, his wife of 11 years, are parents to Jael, Violet, and Jacob, and they hold dear the memory of their son Jovani, who is with the Lord. On his days off, Juan relishes the chance to disconnect and fully engage with his family, always eager to grant his children’s wishes. 

Much like Juan, Mike Newton’s dedication to youth development is evident from the first encounter. With a 19-year tenure at Young Life, he is now in a global position as the Director of Organizational Health and Belonging.  Specializing in cultural intelligence (CQ), Mike stands out as one of only *18 certified CQ fellows worldwide, bringing a unique perspective to his work. (*As of September 2024.)

Beyond his official role, Mike coaches football at the high school where he conducts Young Life, leveraging sports as an additional channel to connect with teenagers. “I work hard to go to places that people often choose not to go,” he says. “The theme verse for my life has been Matthew 9:35: ‘Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.’ He didn’t skip a community.” 

 

Mike champions the cause of collaboration. He believes that emerges when youth workers transcend individual pride and rally together toward a shared vision. “I think in the city, we are beyond a place where one individual can do it all,” says Mike. In his capacity as a liaison, he hopes to encourage collaboration among his cohort members and between cities. “My goal as a liaison is to be an advocate for them, make sure they are healthy and thriving individually, but also to show the city how different ministries can come together to do great work,” he says. 

A North Carolina native, Mike made the move to Indianapolis in 2012 following his marriage to Kristen. Together, they take pride in raising their daughter, Amari, now seven years old, who Mike delights in spending time with. A creative spirit, Mike indulges in his passion for music by DJing in his free time, a skill he joyfully shares at various Young Life and youth ministry gatherings, fostering connections through the universal language of music.