Element Student Ministry exists to reach everyone for Christ, to connect with other Christians, to grow in our faith, to serve those in need, and to honor God with our lives.
Our Vision
Element Student Ministry’s vision is to partner with families in supporting the growth of student relationships with Christ. We realize that this partnership requires effort on both sides and, at Element, we do our very best to provide a variety of creative ministry opportunities that help students fall more in love Jesus Christ each time they walk through our doors. We offer many different ways to get plugged in because we know that each individual student is in a unique place on their spiritual journey. We aim to meet students where they are and then help them GROW deeper in their faith.
Our hope is that you will find a ministry that you can get involved with this year. We don’t expect anyone to participate in everything, but we DO want you to find at least one weekly ministry to participate in and fully commit to being a part of. If you have any questions about our ministry, please get in touch with us. We love to share about our vision and goals.
We’re excited about walking alongside your family on this faith journey. We look forward to supporting, challenging, and guiding you to grow in your desire to be more like Christ.
Element Student Ministry is the Student Ministry of Trinity United Methodist Church in Birmingham, AL.
Our Team
Robert leads our incredible team of youth workers and adult leaders. Robert has been working students now for over a decade, most of which at Trinity. Robert grew up in Birmingham and graduated from Birmingham-Southern College in 2012 received his Masters in Youth Ministry at Memphis Theological Seminary in conjunction with Center for Youth Ministry Training in 2015. Robert is married to Brittany, who owns Love Be Photography. Robert and Brittany have a beautiful little girl, Addie Cate, along with the two best dogs, Sadie and Cooper (who yes, have their own instagram @sturdipups).
Rhys is our Community Director, overseeing ministries like Element Café, The Dugout, Volunteer Recruitment and Appreciation, and much more. Rhys is originally from Homewood, Alabama, growing up in the local community and in Element Student Ministry. Rhys graduated from Auburn University in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and a Minor in Business. However, Rhys experienced a call to full-time youth ministry after working two summer internships at Element and interning at Auburn United Methodist Church his final two years of college.
Betsy has long-served as a parent coordinator for our ministry and two years ago, joined our staff as our Logistics Director. Betsy is married to Chris, who is a rock star adult leader at Element in his own right! They have two amazing kids, Emma Catherine, who is at Wofford University and Graham, who is at Homewood High School. Anytime something amazing happens at Element, it’s basically because Betsy made it happen!
Jackson is the Worship Director for Element Student Ministry and our West Homewood Campus. Jackson comes to us from Georgia and has an unhealthy obsession with cheese. He can play pretty much any instrument (that doesn’t require wind) and his music catalog is of premiere taste. If you want to get involved in the Element Youth Band, just let Jackson know! (jscott@trinitybirmingham.com)
Parker is our Creative Arts Director and handles all of our videos, games, and graphics. If your student is interesting in being on stage, in videos, or involved with the behind-the-scene aspects of our Sunday Night Live weekend event, Parker is the one to contact (pstech@trinitybirmingham.com)
Kristi is our new Discipleship Director overseeing our FUSION small group ministry, Sunday School, and anything curriculum related. Since she’s new, I’m going to give her a week to send me a short bio. Otherwise I’m going to start making stuff up :)
David is an executive pastor at Trinity UMC, but after twenty years in youth ministry, it's in his bones. His creativity and motivation are unparalleled. Hobbies include: dreaming big, asking fun questions, nicknames, Team Handball and Olympics.
(Yes, we used an old photo of David from the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics)
Our Ministry Outlook:
To effectively help students become deeply committed Christians, we must first identify where they are in their spiritual journey. Then, we encourage them to grow and move deeper down the ministry funnel of discipleship.
Photo Release Policy
It is the policy and practice of Element Student Ministry that during any and all programs, events and worship experiences that there may be photographs and video footage taken and published on our various social media platforms that could include you/your student without financial compensation or consideration. If you would like to opt out of this policy, please submit your request in writing to Trinity United Methodist Church, 1400 Oxmoor Road, Birmingham AL 35209 Attn: Element Student Ministry. Please be sure to include your/your student’s name and contact information. Thanks!