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Our Team

Youth Department

Jen Thompson & Neil Thompson

Neil Thompson is the DYS (Divisional Youth Secretary) for the BC Division of The Salvation Army, and Jen supports the ministry of the youth department and camps while also serving as the DCS (Divisional Candidates Secretary). Together they get to be part of supporting children, teen and young adult ministry in SA ministry units across beautiful BC. They also get to be part of the vital ministry of the Army’s 2 camps in the Division: Camp Mountainview and Camp Sunrise. They are passionate about Jesus, discipleship, and seeing lives transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit! Jen and Neil have been married for over 20 years and engaged in youth ministry over all those years. Their story began when they worked at Camp Sunrise as teenagers and then married less than a year later! The ministry journey that God has taken them on included many years as lay leaders in Vernon, BC, eventually leading to becoming ordained officers/pastors in 2024. Jen and Neil have 4 sons and 1 daughter-in-law. It is a joy and a gift to be able to serve together as a family in camping, children and youth ministry. The Thompsons are always up for an adventure and love living on the West Coast!

Caitlin West

Caitlin has worked at Camp Sunrise since 2012 and has a deep passion for the transformation that comes when we invest time into our Children and Youth. Now in her role, Divisional Camping Ministries Director, she hopes to bring the love of Jesus through all aspects of her ministry and help to foster deep and meaningful relationships through the programs that we offer. Through her background in Human Kinetics, she believes deeply in the holistic approach to care and the beauty that can be found in nature. In her spare time, she enjoys listening to podcasts, baking and eating sourdough and watching sports.

Kessa Daniels

Kessa is the Registrar at BCYD. She has been involved in camping ministry since 2013 and has been attending Salvation Army camps since the early 2000’s. She grew up as a camper at Camp Sunrise before moving up north where she got involved with Camp Mountainview. She absolutely loves the camp environment and how it draws people closer to Creator. Her and her husband, Brekin, live in Prince George with their two children. In her spare time, you’ll find her dancing, teaching others to dance, exploring the great outdoors with her family, or eating ice cream during all seasons of the year.

Joanne Chang

Joanne joined the DHQ Youth Department as a Marketing and Administrative Coordinator. She likes her role, particularly enjoying the marketing and creative design aspects of her work. Bringing ideas to life through design is her biggest passion. Outside of work, Joanne loves watching Korean dramas, doing crafts, and spending quality time with her friends and family.

Carlos Cuellar

Carlos has worked at Camp Sunrise since 2015 and cherishes every moment spent on the beautiful Sunshine Coast. Over the years, he has been involved in ministry across the division in various capacities and now serves as the Divisional Children & Youth Program Coordinator for the BC Youth Department. With a compassionate heart for others, he hopes to serve the division and share the love of Jesus. Beyond ministry, Carlos enjoys playing soccer and other sports and is an avid fan of many professional teams. In his spare time, he loves taking his dog on hikes, cycling around the city, and sharing laughs with friends.

Jillian Penney

Jill began youth ministry with The Salvation Army in Vernon in 2016 and fell in love with it immediately. She believes in equipping teens, kids, and their families to explore a personal faith and then live it out authentically. In 2020, Jill joined the BC Youth Team as a regional program coordinator. Jill loves being a part of the divisional team and doing her part to share the mission and vision of the Youth Department to her neighbours in the Interior. In her free time, you can find her trying a new recipe, chasing a beautiful view, or strolling the aisles at Walmart.

Carolyn Jones

Carolyn Jones has worked as the Children and Youth Ministry Director at the Nanaimo Corp since 2017 and loves to teach children and youth about God. With her Bachelor of Elementary Education Degree and years of teaching experience, Carolyn enjoys teaching children and youth about God's love for them through fun games, science experiments as well as arts, crafts, music and drama. Carolyn loves to help make sure kids get to go to camp because she knows that camp can change lives as kids and teens feel God's love surrounding them through the camp staff and nature itself. As the Regional Youth Coordinator for the Island through DHQ Carolyn looks forward to connecting with her fellow Children and Youth Ministry leaders and Corps Officers as she works together with them to connect and plan some fantastic Salvation Army Island events!

Brian Campbell

Brian grew up attending The Salvation Army in Portland, Oregon (USA West), but now proudly calls BC home. Serving in various capacities since 2006, he currently leads as the Next Generation's Ministry Coordinator at The Willows. Deeply invested in discipleship and Camping Ministries, he also serves as a Regional Youth Worker Rep supporting leaders across the Lower Mainland. When not in ministry mode, you can find him checking out the latest cool tech, getting lost in a sci-fi world, playing Pokémon, or cracking a classic dad joke (which his wife and two boys never enjoy).

Camp Mountainview

Erica & Damian Azak

Damian and Erica Azak have been involved with ministry at Camp Mountainview and BC North in many different capacities. Damian began at Camp Mountainview as a camper in 1987. Erica first worked there, traveling from Newfoundland in the summer of 2002. They are both passionate about camping ministry and kids in the north and left their teaching jobs in 2010 to work for Camp Mountainview full time. They love being outside, seeing kids grow and singing in a Nisga'a dance group. They have two German Shepherds and two girls, Tory and Judy.

Camp Sunrise

Bob Young

Bob has faithfully cared for Camp Sunrise as Maintenance Supervisor since 2005. Bob's dedication has ensured that thousands of campers have been able to come and have a fantastic experience at Camp Sunrise!