About Us
	Ben Bobeda, President Occupation: Youth Minister Grew Up In: Dallas, OR Community Ministries: First Baptist Independence – Youth Pastor; American Missionary Fellowship –Kids for Christ; The Edge, College/Career Bible Study, Camp Risen Son; Thursdays @ The Gate, High School lunch
Thoughts Regarding The Gate:  “I was asked to be on the board as a community member and as a local minister to youth. Since then I’ve become the youth pastor at First Baptist Independence and president of the board. It has been clear since the beginning that God has been the originator of the Gate, even more so now that it has stood the test of time these last five years. The needs of the Gate are obvious in that already existing ministries need a larger space to function and area youth need a safe place to be and grow. This shared dream of various community members and the body of Christ is a testament to the hand of the Lord on this project.”
	Mike Ainsworth, Vice President  Occupation: Retired Weyerhaeuser supervisor  Grew Up In: Independence, OR & Monmouth, OR  Community Ministries: First Baptist Independence – The Gate, small group
Thoughts Regarding The Gate:   “I was interested in the young people of our community.  I believe they represent the 'future' of our community.  So, when The Gate was first mentioned, I asked those who were talking about it and said I’d like to be involved. The Gate can be a 'beacon' in our community--a light of hope for the youth.  I want the young people to know that they are valuable and that they are loved.”
	Donn Wahl, Secretary/Treasurer  Occupation: Retired Engineer, Manager and Small Business Owner  Grew Up In: McMinnville, OR  Community Ministries: First Baptist Independence – AWANA, Small Groups, Leadership; YMCA – Board of Directors
Thoughts Regarding The Gate:   “The Gate represents an opportunity big enough to make a difference in the lives of kids in our community and seems to fit in God’s plans for me.  He is blessing our measured steps of progress.  It’s exciting to be a part of.”
	Diane Silberstein, Prayer Team Coordinator  Occupation: Homemaker, Teacher  Grew Up In: Grants Pass, OR  Community Ministries: First Baptist Independence –AWANA, Youth ministry,  High School lunch program, Thursdays @ The Gate
Thoughts Regarding The Gate:   “The Gate is a ministry to the youth of our county. As a mom of teens, I recognize that God can work in and through young lives and we need to provide as many opportunities for this to happen as God shows us.  Each Tuesday and Wednesday I am reminded of the need for hope in the youth and their families.  The Gate will open many hearts to the God of hope.”
	Chris Robertson, Director  Occupation: Pastor  Grew Up In: Polk County  Community Ministries: Jefferson Baptist– youth ministry and worship ministry.
Thoughts Regarding The Gate:   “The Gate has continued to amaze me as God has demonstrated his blessing toward this project and toward the youth of this community.  The prayer put into this ministry will be the catalyst and the difference between this and other youth organizations.  I was given the dream of  the Gate many years ago and now is the time to see this dream become a reality.  God can do all things and all we need to do is trust that he can use us and then let him do it.  It will be an overwhelming day when we stand inside the Gate and pray for the youth who enter through it.”
	Denise Robison, Board Member  Occupation: Wife, Mother & Teacher  Grew Up In: Lakeview, OR  Community Ministries: Central Baptist Church – Breakfast group Bible study, Children’s ministries.  High School lunch program.
Thoughts Regarding The Gate:  “I am excited about the prospect of The Gate.  After helping as a church lunch lady for the past few years, I have seen how God has touched many of the students at Central.  While God is blessing this ministry, we have outgrown our space not our need to continue to reach out to more students at the high school.  The Gate would be a tangible extension of God’s love to the youth of this community.  I am honored to be a part of this team.”
(Not Pictured)	Joe Johnson, Board Member  Occupation: Physical Education Teacher, Grant Community School, Salem, Oregon   Grew Up In: Newport, Oregon  Community Ministries: First Baptist Independence – Social Committee.
Thoughts Regarding The Gate:  “My school is a block away from the Salem Boys and Girls club. I see what a positive influence on kids a place like this has. The Gate could have the same kind of impact on the youth of the Monmouth/Independence area for years to come.  A safe place to come and hang out, play some ball, eat some food, and learn some solid Christian values.  I have seen how the Gate programs have already impacted the kids.  It needs to continue.”
	Greg Ellis, Board Member  Occupation: City Manager, Independence  Grew Up In: All over Oregon; mostly in Roseburg and Estacada  Community Ministries: The Gate
Thoughts Regarding The Gate:  “The Gate is a facility that will have a very positive effect on the youth of our community by providing positive role models. Sowing those seeds today will yield great rewards in the future for the cities of Monmouth and Independence and the surrounding area.”