Elders and Staff
Chad Haynes — Catalyst Pastor/Elder email
Chad is a native of Las Cruces, NM and graduated from New Mexico State University. God has blessed him with an amazing and unique family. He has been married for 12 years to Angel and has 4 + 4 children. (What on earth does that mean?) Well, he and Angel thought that their family was complete with their 10, 7, and twin 4 year olds, but have recently been blessed with four additional foster children ages 9, 6, 5, and 14 months. Many would call his family situation a circus side show and he is convinced that this is, in fact, a true statement.
Chad has a passion to teach the truth of scripture with practical, real life, authentic application. Second Mile is the pursuit of his on-going dream. Chad longs for the church to be a place where lives are transformed, communities are changed, and glory is given to Jesus as the sustainer and perfector of our faith.
Favorite truth from scripture: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” 1 Cor 9:24–27
Jeff Bajenaru — Community Development and Outreach Pastor/Elder email
Jeff is a native of Chino Hills, California. His baseball career took him to the University of Oklahoma where he received his degree in Criminal Science. It was there that he met his wife Alysa who is originally from Prairie Village, Kansas. They have been married since January 2002 and have a 1 year old boy named Joe Braddock. Jeff recently retired from professional baseball after 8 exciting seasons, 63 whole days of which were spent in the Major Leagues. God blessed them with the unique lifestyle of traveling all over the United States while living one of their dreams. They were able to experience the nomadic lifestyle during that time period as they lived in Oklahoma, California, Arizona, Virginia, Tennessee, North and South Carolina, Alabama and Illinois. They finally realized Tucson is where they wanted to call home and have been here for the past 3 years. They loved the experience of traveling across the states as they were able to form long lasting friendships with all different kinds of people with very diverse backgrounds. They will, shockingly, miss living out of their suitcases but are so excited to influence, serve and impact the city of Tucson for Jesus’ name.
Jeff has a passion for sharing the gospel with people and loves to infuse the name of Jesus into everyday conversation with strangers. He is truly learning to not be ashamed of the Word or his passion for Christ. He has come on staff at Second Mile as a Community Development and Outreach pastor and is excited to use his past baseball experience as one way of sharing the gospel. Jeff is learning as he goes but is excited for what lies ahead for the future of Second Mile.
Favorites:
- Verse: Galatians 5:1 “For it was freedom that Christ came, never again be burdened by a yoke of slavery.”
- Quote: “Every man dies, not every man really lives.” William Wallace (Braveheart)
- Food: Sushi Ten, Thai, Vietnamese, El Guerro Cannelo, In-N-Out
- Artist: David Crowder, Switchfoot, Pillar, Kutless, Matt Costa, Jack Johnson
- Movie: Tombstone, The Outlaw Josey Wales, Braveheart
- TV: The Office, Survivor
Julie Evans — Collegiate Strategist email
Julie loves college students! Not only do they energize her, but they are in such a strategic and exciting time of their lives and she loves to see them get to know Jesus better. Julie has been serving students for over 10 years right here in Tucson. She is a graduate of The University of Arizona with a funny bachelor’s degree called Family and Consumer Resources. She used this degree to get to Golden Gate Seminary where she received a Master of Divinity degree.
More often than not, you’ll find Julie spending time with her family and friends, eating Dove dark chocolate, or watching American Idol or M.A.S.H. When she’s in a more serious mood, Julie’s usually journaling and reading the Word and being reminded by Jesus how much He loves her. During those times, she is often reminded of her favorite verse, Psalm 37:4, “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
Nate Edwards — Youth Pastor/Elder email
Nate grew up in Emporia, KS and attended Emporia State University where he earned a teaching degree. During this time, Nate met Tia. They have been married since May 2003. Nate and Tia moved to Tucson during the summer of 2004. The following summer their first child, Jackson, was born. In March of 2008, the Edwards family grew to four with the arrival of Norah. Nate and Tia both love being parents and are learning the joys and challenges of this role!
Nate currently teaches 6th grade at Doolen Middle School and is excited for the day when he can turn his complete focus toward ministering to youth through Second Mile. His desire is to see teenagers across Tucson develop into passionate, contagious followers of Jesus. Nate longs for the youth of Second Mile to become spiritual influencers in the teenage sub-culture of Tucson.
Eric Kelley — Elder email
Eric was raised in the small town of Canyon, Texas. He met and married Jenni while they were attending college at West Texas A&M University. Following a part-time stint in youth ministry during those college years, they began to think critically about God’s heart for the Church and how to best live that out. In the fall of 2000, while he was attending graduate school at Texas A&M University, Eric and Jenni entered the world of church planting as a part of Community Church of Bryan/College Station, Texas. They spent five formative years with this band of misfits, and are now blessed to participate in God’s work in and through Second Mile. One of Eric’s greatest passions is leading the local church to image Jesus in all of life for all the world.
Eric holds a PhD in Finance and is a member of the faculty in the Eller College of Management at the University of Arizona. He also served briefly on the faculty at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington. Eric and Jenni have four children: Emma, Ella, Mayah, and Will.
Scott Appleman — Elder email
Scott works: on the south side of Tucson at Pima Community College’s Desert Vista campus, tutoring students who have questions about sentences and essays and any other obstacles that writing teachers put in their way.
Scott loves: his wife Janice, his daughter Elly, writing, books (words, stories, and ideas in general), living in the western third of the US, Sonoran hotdogs, the films of Wes Anderson, the story of King David, learning how things connect, brainstorming, and treating the Bible like literature.
Scott hopes: that you read more, that this community of believers will grow to think and speak intelligently about theology and miracles and grace and redemption, that he can lead his family well, that people enjoy being in his home, and that he writes something that matters someday.
