Meet Our Staff

  • Brad Petrie, Executive Director and Crestview High School Campus Life
  • Courtney Rager, Lincolnview Junior High School Campus Life
  • Kannen Wannemacher, Van Wert Middle School and High School
  • Melissa Miller, Office Manager

Brad Petrie

Executive Director and Crestview High School Campus Life

My name is Brad Petrie.  I grew up in Vinton, a small town in Gallia County of southern Ohio. I graduated from River Valley High School in 1998. I later attended Bluffton University where I got a degree in Early Childhood Education in 2002. Teaching, however, was not in God’s plan for my life. I was hired in 2005 as the Spiritual Director at a juvenile center called Starr Commonwealth. This job began me down the path of working full-time in Youth Ministry! After my time at Starr, I worked for 6 years at Calvary Evangelical Church in Van Wert, followed by accepting a job with West Central Ohio Youth for Christ in 2015. I am currently the Executive Director at Youth for Christ with a mission to make a spiritual impact in the life of students in our local schools.  I am blessed to have a wonderful wife, Erica, as well as 4 kids, Brady, Brooks, Evie, and Brant! God has truly blessed my life and given me so many opportunities to teach middle school and high school students about Jesus. I cannot thank Him enough for everything He has done in my life.

Email: bpetrie@wcohyfc.com

Courtney Rager

Lincolnview Junior High School Campus Life

My name is Courtney Rager. I am the Campus Life Middle School Director for Lincolnview Junior High School. I am a mother of two sweet babies and a wife to a wonderful God fearing man. Outside of work I enjoy being outdoors; pretty much all the time. I also love spending time with my family exploring new locations across the U.S.  I am thankful to be a part of West Central Ohio Youth for Christ serving our teens and doing my best to make a difference in their lives and hearts for Jesus! 

Email: courtperrott@hotmail.com

Kannen Wannemacher

Van Wert Middle School and High School Campus Life

Email: kwannemacher@wcohyfc.com

Melissa Miller

Office Manager

Melissa has been a member of our staff since 2011.  She is married to Jordan Miller and they have two boys, Memphis and Ellix.  She is a Crestview graduate and attended UNOH where she received her bachelor degree in Accounting.

Email: mmiller@wcohyfc.com

Abbi Wannemacher

Parkway Middle School Campus Life

Abbi was hired in August of 2023 to be the new Campus Life Director for the Parkway Middle School students. Abbi grew up in Marshall, MI. She has 3 younger brothers. She has always loved working with kids. Abbi is excited to be a part of the YFC family and is looking forward to making a difference in the lives of teenagers in the Rockford community and beyond.

Email: awannemacher@ wcohyfc.com

Meet Our Board of Directors

  • Larry Bowsher
  • Tisha Fast
  • Troy Bowersock
  • Thaison Leaser
  • Thad Eikenbary

Larry Bowsher

Board Chairman

Larry is a graduate of Spencerville High School in 1964.  He married his wonderful wife Judy in 1966.  Larry and Judy have 3 grown children (Ann, David and Lynette) and 9 grandkids.  Larry is a lifelong farmer and also works part time for Hill’s Supply.  Larry was first introduced to Youth for Christ when his kids were in high school and he joined the YFC Board in 1994.  He loves knowing that Youth for Christ gives unchurched kids the chance to learn about Jesus, many of which, for the first time.  Larry loves YFC and wants to see middle school and high school students give their lives to Jesus.

Thad Eikenbary

Dennis Shaffer

Thaison Leaser

Shaun Putman

Tisha Fast

  • Married to David Fast-2 children Whitley and Clayton.
  • Works for State Farm and runs her own agency.
  • Love to help serve others through church volunteering , a board member for Youth for Christ, United Way Van Wert and Rotarian.
  • Feel strongly about giving back to the community that you live and want to instill this my children.
  • Enjoy spending time with her family and working in her flowerbeds.

Troy Bowersock

  • Married to Tonya with three children – Ashton, Alek, and Evan. 
  • Employed as the Treasurer for the Lincolnview Local School District for many years. 
  • Attends Calvary Evangelical Church in Van Wert.
  • Hobbies include biking, working outside and farming.