Speaker's Bio's
The Western Seminary graduate students who will be presenting tools to make your marriage work to its fullest potential are:
Joshua Crocker, MFT Student
He is a former Pastor, youth director, and Mental Health Case Manager. He has been married for 6 years and has 2 beautiful girls. Joshua has passion for Discipleship, living as a Body with the local Church, Evangelism, and Community Building.
Joshua worked for years in ministry as a pastor, a missionary in Africa and a youth director. He holds a bachelors in psychology and has had positions as a mental health case manager and counselor for at-risk youth. His passions are developing forms of discipleship and developing a holistic community, which is infectious to the watching world. He lives in the Santa Cruz mountains with his wife and 2 kids, with one on the way. Yeah! His cross-cultural marriage has stretched and shaped him BIG TIME in his own discipleship with God.
Mike McGeoy, MFT Student
Mike is a 30 veteran of the Silicon Valley, having worked in Sales/Marketing, Software Development, Human Resources and most recently IT. After spending a number of years in Men's ministry and Youth ministry at WestGate Church in San Jose he felt called to pursue a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. He and Lori, his wife of 29 years live in Santa Clara after downsizing this past year when their youngest went off to college. He has three children: Kellie (25), Thomas (23), and Erin (18).
Originally from the East Coast (Maryland), he spent his adolescent and teen years living overseas in Israel and Chile, the step-son of a US diplomat. He graduated from high school in Santiago, Chile and moved to California for college where he attended Pepperdine University and San Jose State University. The Bay Area has been his home for the last 35 years. He enjoys golf, volleyball, and woodworking (when he can find the time!)
Rev. Makela Benoit, MFT Student
Rev. Makela is an ordained Itinerant Deacon in the African Methodist Episcopal denomination. Currently, she serves as the minister to women with her local church. She has a heart for the people of God and a passion for preaching and teaching. Rev. Makela earned a Bachelor’s of Arts in Pastoral Studies from Patten University, Oakland, CA in 2011. Currently, she is pursuing a Master’s of Marriage and Family Therapy and Masters of Biblical and Theological Studies at Western Seminary, Santa Clara, CA.
As a divorced mother of two sons, she is filled with compassion and respect for those who are longing to have the shared experience of a fulfilling and loving marital relationship. Soon to re-marry she is keenly aware of the necessity for a strong foundation of God, friendship, and intimacy in relationships. Her goal is to one day counsel clergy and blended families.
The Western Seminary graduate students who will be presenting tools to make your marriage work to its fullest potential are:
Joshua Crocker, MFT Student
He is a former Pastor, youth director, and Mental Health Case Manager. He has been married for 6 years and has 2 beautiful girls. Joshua has passion for Discipleship, living as a Body with the local Church, Evangelism, and Community Building.
Joshua worked for years in ministry as a pastor, a missionary in Africa and a youth director. He holds a bachelors in psychology and has had positions as a mental health case manager and counselor for at-risk youth. His passions are developing forms of discipleship and developing a holistic community, which is infectious to the watching world. He lives in the Santa Cruz mountains with his wife and 2 kids, with one on the way. Yeah! His cross-cultural marriage has stretched and shaped him BIG TIME in his own discipleship with God.
Mike McGeoy, MFT Student
Mike is a 30 veteran of the Silicon Valley, having worked in Sales/Marketing, Software Development, Human Resources and most recently IT. After spending a number of years in Men's ministry and Youth ministry at WestGate Church in San Jose he felt called to pursue a Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. He and Lori, his wife of 29 years live in Santa Clara after downsizing this past year when their youngest went off to college. He has three children: Kellie (25), Thomas (23), and Erin (18).
Originally from the East Coast (Maryland), he spent his adolescent and teen years living overseas in Israel and Chile, the step-son of a US diplomat. He graduated from high school in Santiago, Chile and moved to California for college where he attended Pepperdine University and San Jose State University. The Bay Area has been his home for the last 35 years. He enjoys golf, volleyball, and woodworking (when he can find the time!)
Rev. Makela Benoit, MFT Student
Rev. Makela is an ordained Itinerant Deacon in the African Methodist Episcopal denomination. Currently, she serves as the minister to women with her local church. She has a heart for the people of God and a passion for preaching and teaching. Rev. Makela earned a Bachelor’s of Arts in Pastoral Studies from Patten University, Oakland, CA in 2011. Currently, she is pursuing a Master’s of Marriage and Family Therapy and Masters of Biblical and Theological Studies at Western Seminary, Santa Clara, CA.
As a divorced mother of two sons, she is filled with compassion and respect for those who are longing to have the shared experience of a fulfilling and loving marital relationship. Soon to re-marry she is keenly aware of the necessity for a strong foundation of God, friendship, and intimacy in relationships. Her goal is to one day counsel clergy and blended families.