Schools

Meeting Location: Community United Methodist Church

Course #: 78011

Class Period:

• 1st Semester 4th
• 2nd Semester 2nd

Course Name: Release Time Bible Study

School Contact:—Johnny Caine, School Counselor

Get To Know The Teachers

Teachers: Casey Swails & Darla Tanaka

About Darla Tanaka:

Darla was born and raised in a Christian home in Utah. She graduated from Bonneville High School, attended the University of Utah, and received her BA in Biblical Literature from Taylor University. She went on to get her master’s in Missions and Intercultural Studies at Wheaton Graduate School.

Darla started Bible Academy at Bonneville in 2023 to provide an opportunity for her children to study the Bible during the regular class day. The following year, she was able to facilitate the start of another Bible Academy at her home church, Alpine Syracuse. She loves teaching the Bible and is passionate about helping teens learn about and experience God’s love. She is thrilled that God has opened the door for several other high schools to offer Bible Academy. She is excited about the future possibilities of even more Bible classes at more high schools throughout Utah!

Darla is married and has two children. She enjoys spending time with her family watching movies, going to concerts and playing games. She also loves watching just about any and every sport, especially football. Go Utes!

About Casey Swails:

Casey joined the ministry team at Redemption Church in August of 2021 when he and his family moved to Utah from South Carolina. Casey is married and has two boys. He finished his Master of Divinity at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in December of 2022. He currently serves as one of the pastors of Redemption Church – Ogden. Casey enjoys teaching the Bible, reading theology, running, and spending time with is family.

Meeting Location: Alpine Church Syracuse

Course #: 851

Class Period: 4th

Course Name: Release Time / Non-Denominational Bible Academy

School Contact: Sarah McClurg, Administrative Assistant

Teachers: Mark+Charisse Ahlstrom & Darla Tanaka, Sub: Jordon Jackson

About Darla Tanaka:

Darla was born and raised in a Christian home in Utah. She graduated from Bonneville High School, attended the University of Utah, and received her BA in Biblical Literature from Taylor University. She went on to get her master’s in Missions and Intercultural Studies at Wheaton Graduate School.

Darla started Bible Academy at Bonneville in 2023 to provide an opportunity for her children to study the Bible during the regular class day. The following year, she was able to facilitate the start of another Bible Academy at her home church, Alpine Syracuse. She loves teaching the Bible and is passionate about helping teens learn about and experience God’s love. She is thrilled that God has opened the door for several other high schools to offer Bible Academy. She is excited about the future possibilities of even more Bible classes at more high schools throughout Utah!

Darla is married and has two children. She enjoys spending time with her family watching movies, going to concerts and playing games. She also loves watching just about any and every sport, especially football. Go Utes!

About Mark & Charisse:

Mark serves as the Syracuse Campus Pastor for Alpine Church. He and his wife, Charisse, have a passion to see God’s Kingdom grow, especially through the youth. Having served for many years in children’s ministry, Mark and Charisse have been blessed to witness children growing into youth who discover and own their faith, and seeing many of those same youth stepping into adulthood with a firm foundation and relationship with God. Knowing and understanding the Bible is essential, and Mark and Charisse consider it a privilege to teach it in this class.

Meeting Location: Redemption North Davis

Course #: 851

Class Period: 8th

Course Name: Release Time Bible Study

School Contact: Heather Jense

Get To Know The Teachers

Teachers: Daniel Williams

About Daniel Williams:

Daniel serves as the Pastor for Missions at Redemption North Davis in Kaysville, UT. Originally from Tennessee, Daniel most recently spent time in North Carolina teaching High School Math and serving as a Missions Coordinator for Imago Dei Church in Raleigh. Daniel is married to Elizabeth and they have a son and two daughters.

He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Philosophy from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and has a Master of Divinity in Missiology along with a Masters of Arts in Intercultural Studies from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (Wake Forest, NC).

His favorite things to do are following the Oklahoma City Thunder (NBA) and his Tennessee Volunteers, playing chess, engaging different cultures/traveling abroad, and exploring God’s creation.

Meeting Location: Redemption North Davis

Course #: 851

Class Period: 8th

Course Name: Bible Studies

School Contact: Camille Krum

Get To Know The Teachers

Teachers: Daniel Williams

About Daniel Williams:

Daniel serves as the Pastor for Missions at Redemption North Davis in Kaysville, UT. Originally from Tennessee, Daniel most recently spent time in North Carolina teaching High School Math and serving as a Missions Coordinator for Imago Dei Church in Raleigh. Daniel is married to Elizabeth and they have a son and two daughters.

He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Philosophy from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and has a Master of Divinity in Missiology along with a Masters of Arts in Intercultural Studies from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (Wake Forest, NC).

His favorite things to do are following the Oklahoma City Thunder (NBA) and his Tennessee Volunteers, playing chess, engaging different cultures/traveling abroad, and exploring God’s creation.

Meeting Location: Farmington High LDS Seminary Building

Course #: 851

Class Period: 7th

Course Name: Bible Study

School Contact: Mylei Zachman, Assistant Principal

Teachers: Austin Porter

About Austin Porter:

Austin is a Davis County native and grew up as a pastor’s kid in Bountiful, Utah. By God’s grace there has never been a time where he did not know Jesus

or the freedom of His love. Austin has a son Timothy, a daughter Ellie and two Golden retrievers.

Austin earned his B.A. in New Testament Biblical Studies from Sterling College and his M.Div. in Old Testament from Denver Seminary. He jokes that after seven years of study he finally has one complete Bible degree! In his spare time, he enjoys cooking, outdoor recreation, the Denver Broncos, and listening to audio books.

“I long to see all people freed to love and serve Jesus and to be released from the burden of perfection and performing. My hope for the church is that it would serve as a genuine community where true love is lived out, doubts are expressed and allowed, and true and substantive answers are given.

Meeting Location: Elevation Church

Course #: 851

Class Period: 8th

Course Name: Bible Study

School Contact: Ryan Carter, School Counselor

Get To Know The Teachers

Teachers: Matt Miller

About Matt Miller:

I have two boys that have recently graduated from Northridge High School and both have enjoyed their High School years in Northern Utah. I’m an avid Chicago Cub and Bear fan. My family moved to North Davis County thirteen years ago.

One of the most exciting things to witness is when someone turns away from the noise and call of the world and discovers the abundant life that only Jesus offers. Part of that process happens when we unlock the treasure of the Old and New Testaments.

In this class we are going to take a journey through the Bible—not just to read it, but to understand it. We’ll learn how to read different types of writing (like stories, poetry, wisdom, and prophecy), and we’ll discover how all of it points to Jesus.

It’s a privilege to walk with you as we explore what the Bible really says and how it can shape your life today. I can’t wait to see what God does as we dive in together.

Meeting Location: Elevation Church

Course #: 851

Class Period: 8th

Course Name: Bible Study

School Contact: Diana Johanson, Assistant Principal

Get To Know The Teachers

Teachers: Matt Miller

About Matt Miller:

I have two boys that have recently graduated from Northridge High School and both have enjoyed their High School years in Northern Utah. I’m an avid Chicago Cub and Bear fan. My family moved to North Davis County thirteen years ago.

One of the most exciting things to witness is when someone turns away from the noise and call of the world and discovers the abundant life that only Jesus offers. Part of that process happens when we unlock the treasure of the Old and New Testaments.

In this class we are going to take a journey through the Bible—not just to read it, but to understand it. We’ll learn how to read different types of writing (like stories, poetry, wisdom, and prophecy), and we’ll discover how all of it points to Jesus.

It’s a privilege to walk with you as we explore what the Bible really says and how it can shape your life today. I can’t wait to see what God does as we dive in together.

Meeting Location: The Bridge Community Church

Course #: 851

Class Period: 7th

Course Name: Bible Studies off Campus

School Contact: Amanda Taggart, Assistant Principal

Get To Know The Teachers

Teachers: Kevin Llanos

Kevin grew up in the Central Valley of California, and came to faith in Christ during high school.  He started working for the Fresno Police Department in 2000, and during the police academy he met the second (only to Jesus) greatest love of his life, Brooke.  He and Brooke were married in 2003.  They have 2 amazingly awesome daughters, Lilly and Felicity, both of whom are adults now.  Kevin was injured in a collision at FPD, resulting in his medical retirement in 2009.  During this time, Kevin and Brooke started working with Pastor Loren in college ministry at New Covenant Community Church, and since that time they’ve been coming out to Utah annually to help The Bridge Community during VBS week.  After his retirement, Kevin went back to school at Liberty University and finished his BA in Biblical Studies.  He was re-hired by the police department as a background investigator, and then later worked as a police chaplain.  During this time, Kevin went to seminary at Liberty University and obtained his Master of Divinity in 2017.  Kevin spent 8 years as a police chaplain, ultimately becoming the Senior Chaplain of the Fresno Police Department.  In 2019, Kevin and Brooke moved to Madera County and, by God’s leading, planted Redemption Hill Community Church.  RHCC was an amazing experience for the family, but God had planted seeds for Utah that were coming to fruition.  God moved Kevin and Brooke out to Utah in the spring of 2024 to take part in the ministry that’s happening at The Bridge Community.  If you have any ministry or counseling needs or have any questions about faith in Jesus, you can reach out to Kevin here.

Meeting Location: The Bridge Community Church

Course #: 851

Class Period: 7th

Course Name: TBD

School Contact: Sam Demonja, Assistant Principal

Get To Know The Teachers

Teachers: Kevin Llanos

Kevin grew up in the Central Valley of California, and came to faith in Christ during high school.  He started working for the Fresno Police Department in 2000, and during the police academy he met the second (only to Jesus) greatest love of his life, Brooke.  He and Brooke were married in 2003.  They have 2 amazingly awesome daughters, Lilly and Felicity, both of whom are adults now.  Kevin was injured in a collision at FPD, resulting in his medical retirement in 2009.  During this time, Kevin and Brooke started working with Pastor Loren in college ministry at New Covenant Community Church, and since that time they’ve been coming out to Utah annually to help The Bridge Community during VBS week.  After his retirement, Kevin went back to school at Liberty University and finished his BA in Biblical Studies.  He was re-hired by the police department as a background investigator, and then later worked as a police chaplain.  During this time, Kevin went to seminary at Liberty University and obtained his Master of Divinity in 2017.  Kevin spent 8 years as a police chaplain, ultimately becoming the Senior Chaplain of the Fresno Police Department.  In 2019, Kevin and Brooke moved to Madera County and, by God’s leading, planted Redemption Hill Community Church.  RHCC was an amazing experience for the family, but God had planted seeds for Utah that were coming to fruition.  God moved Kevin and Brooke out to Utah in the spring of 2024 to take part in the ministry that’s happening at The Bridge Community.  If you have any ministry or counseling needs or have any questions about faith in Jesus, you can reach out to Kevin here.

Meeting Location: Hansen Sports Center-Conference Room

Course #: TBD

Class Period: 3rd Period; 2nd trimester

Course Name: TBD

School Contact: Jen Hartman

Get To Know The Teachers

Teachers: Rebekah Humes

Rebekah attended Biola University, where she earned a B.A. in Liberal Arts and a Certificate in Christian Apologetics. She previously taught middle school Bible and has worked in Christian education and youth ministry for over 20 years. Deeply committed to equipping the next generation with biblical truth, she is passionate about teaching Gen Z. When she’s not teaching she enjoys spending time and traveling with her family.