People > Staff

Staff

The staff at OTRM has over 80 years of combined youth ministry experience in diverse children and teen organizations such as city and county recreation programs, YMCA, YWCA, church ministries, Air Force Dependents Youth Program, and the local public school system.

Photo of Ken DossettKen Dossett
Director
At The Rock since its establishment in 1998

Roles and Responsibilities
I’m responsible for the overall operation of the building and programs at OTRM. The staff is under my direction.
Favorite Bible Verse
Philippians 3:12-14
Educational Background/Experience
I pursued a degree in Secondary Education at Mississippi State University until I was drafted and later enlisted into the Air Force. I lacked six hours from my degree when I reported for duty.

I spent most of my four year stint in Air Force involved with Base Dependent Services at England Air Force Base, overseeing the Teen Center and running athletic programs for children of Air Force Personnel.

I spent 10 years working in the YMCA, starting as a volunteer and later as a part time staff member with the Gra-Y Program in Titusville, Florida, becoming summer camp director and program director in Louisville, Kentucky, and eventually signing on as the Executive Director for a YMCA branch in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1974.

I worked with two municipal parks and recreation departments involved in directing recreation programs in Natchez, Mississippi, and athletic programs in Bay City, Texas.

I worked with several churches as a volunteer youth worker and in some cases full time or part time youth director: St. Paul United Methodist Church, Louisville, Kentucky; Grace United Methodist Church, Natchez, Mississippi; First United Methodist Church, Sugarland, TX; and First United Methodist Church in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.

Picture of Sam Johnson Sam Johnson
Assistant Director
At The Rock since 2006

Roles and Responsibilities
I basically serve as the office manager and as behind the scenes support for the programs. From database management, general reception, coordinating plans and events, training, assisting the Director, scheduling, greeting the public, and supporting Program Directors, every day is different, busy, and full. In the near future I will be responsible for pursuing grants, and taking on more responsibility for the internal accounting process.

Favorite Bible Verse
It changes frequently
Educational Background / Experience
BA Family Psychology, Oklahoma Baptist University
MS Organizational Psychology, Capella University
After serving in the travel industry and commercial real estate field, I was called to work here at The Rock. I bring a random assortment of skills to my position, which I use every day.
Favorite memories from The Rock
There are too many memories to list, but I loved camping out at night on Kelley’s Island, Ohio, on the Ohio bike trip.
Interesting thing about you that might surprise people
It takes me a long time to eat an orange. When no one is in the office, I turn up the music really loudly and dance around. I can be bribed to do pretty much anything with Starbucks coffee.

Andy DossettAndy Dossett
Director of Operations
At The Rock since its establishment in 1998

 

 


 

AmeriCorps Members

Photo of Amy Ayres Amy Ayres
AmeriCorps Member
At The Rock since 2004

Roles and Responsibilities
As Program Director of Summit, I am responsible for our Sr. High & Mid-High ministry on Thursdays which included Life Hurts God Heals. My primary role is to ensure a high quality after school program. I make sure it offers students a time to chill-out with friends, enjoy fun games, and grow during worship, small groups, and Biblical teachings.


Favorite Bible Verse
Jeremiah 29:11
I am inspired by
Walking with Christ, my husband and kids, other family members, the youth I work with, those who press on and overcome, Christ examples, worship, and music.
Educational Background / Experience
Skiatook High School Graduate
BWC (now OWU) – Behavioral Science & Youth Ministry
14 years part and full-time youth ministry
Favorite memories from The Rock
Backyard Missions, Concerts at The Rock, Lock-in with girls only, MidWinter, Teen Board Training, Being a mentor, Beauty from Ashes (Teen Girl’s Seminar)
Interesting thing about you that might surprise people
Very much a country girl.


Photo of Sandy Dossett Sandy Dossett
At The Rock since it’s establishment in 1998 as a volunteer, board member, and now, AmeriCorps Member

Roles and Responsibilities
I am responsible for the website at The Rock, for getting information out about our programs and activities to the public, for recruiting, training, and mentoring youth volunteers, and assisting with programs and activities.
Educational Background/Experience
My undergraduate degree is from Bartlesville Wesleyan University in Secondary Education, English. My masters degree is from Northeastern State University in Collegiate Scholarship and Services. I’ve been teaching for 15 years in the Bartlesville Public Schools and have taught at the Middle School and High School level. I have also worked as a Social Activities Director at a Nursing Home, Public Information Director for a Parks Department, Part-Time Youth Director at several Methodist Churches, Recreation Coordinator at a municipal parks and recreation department, and Contracts Supervisor and Planning Analyst for a large telecommunications corporation.
I am inspired by
C.S. Lewis, a classic movie, an excellent book, a song that soars, and people of faith who lay their lives down for others in service.


Photo of David AyresDavid Ayres
Program Director
At The Rock since 2004


Roles and Responsibilities:
I am responsible for Nitro, the middle school ministry.  I also help out with anything else God calls me to do.  I am called to serve the youth of Bartlesville.  God has blessed me with an unbridled unconditional love for youth and an earnest desire to meet kids where they are, but refuse to leave them that way.
I Am Inspired By:  My wife and kiddos, The Rock staff, and my buddy, Jesus.
Educational Background and Experience:
BS in Chemical Engineering, Oklahoma State University
I spent 5 years as an engineer in the telecommunications world, 13 years in youth ministry, and 6 years teaching and coaching at Bartlesville High School.
Favorite Memories:  Nitro Service Projects, Skate Team Trips, Red River Trip, The Bike Trip, and any chance to spend time with The Rock staff and kids.
Interesting thing about you that might surprise people:  I love musicals and 80’s music, except big hair bands.



Photo of Daniel SmithDaniel Smith
Americorps Member
At The Rock since 2006

 

 

 

 

Roles and Responsibilities

Favorite Bible Verse
I love them all.
I am inspired by
The beauty of God’s creation, and the smile on a kids’ face.
Educational Background / Experience
Born and raised in Bartlesville, I graduated from high school in 2005. I completed two years at Rogers State, and took some time off and took some time off of school to rethink my life and what God has planned for me. I began working at OTRM in the summer of 2007 as a program assistant. I was honored to be on staff at Pinecove Camp for the summer of 2008 as a youth counselor. I am now attending OWU, and plan to go into elementary education.

Favorite memories from The Rock
Bike trips!
Interesting thing about you that might surprise people
I know words to songs after hearing them only once or twice.

 

Photo of Cliff Stearns Cliff Stearns
AmeriCorps Member

At The Rock since 1998 as a supporter and later a board member
I was at a turning point in my life.  I needed a job and wanted to find something where I would have a real impact on young lives.  God helped me see in one day that everything I wanted and needed could be accomplished at The Rock.  I could serve as an AmeriCorps member, work at The Rock, and have a real impact on young lives. 

 

Roles and Responsibilities:


I am inspired by: Seeing and hearing about the positive changes in young lives through participation at The Rock, especially when they grow into leadership roles.
Educational Background / Experience:  I have a BS degree in Chemistry from Otterbein College in Ohio, have 30 hours toward an MBA from OSU and 25 hours of early childhood development classes . I worked for Phillips Petroleum Company for 32 years, living in Bartlesville three times, Norway, England, and Borger, TX twice, and finishing my career in Puerto Rico.  I have worked 7 years with 3-5 year olds in a Montessori School and have volunteered at the Rock over the years.
Favorite memories from being on Staff / involved at The Rock:  I have fond memories of 5 bike trips I have participated in – Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin/Minnesota, and Colorado.  Each one was full of great memories of getting to know the kids, living in Christian fellowship and in being part of a team stretched way outside our norm.  I especially remember worship each evening and Christ working in lives.
Interesting thing about you that might surprise people:  I played the French horn in the Middletown Civic Symphony.  I played organ in church twice and played trumpet in a wedding.  I currently play the Djembe drum in worship whenever asked.   I was a Captain (Captain Bubba) of a 46’ houseboat on Grand Lake and a 30’ fishing boat in Puerto Rico.  Most everyone survived the experience.

 

Johnathan Dancer Johnathan Dancer
AmeriCorps Member
At The Rock since 2002

 






Roles and Responsibilities:


I am inspired by: Seeing change in kids' lives as they grow up at The Rock
Educational Background / Experience: I have graduated high school, and will be attending college this coming spring. I have volunteered at The Rock since I was in 6th grade.
Favorite memories from being on Staff / involved at The Rock: My favorite memory is when Daniel and I climbed a mountain in Red River, New Mexico
Interesting thing about you that might surprise people: I am a guitar player and a singer.

 

Destiny Brayfield Destiny Brayfield
AmeriCorps Member

 






Roles and Responsibilities:

I am inspired by: My family
Educational Background / Experience: High School Diploma and Child Development Associate
Favorite memories from being on Staff / involved at The Rock: : Being stuck on a mountain in New Mexico. Then a couple years later climbing to the top of a different mountain in New Mexico.
Interesting thing about you that might surprise people: I have a sponsored child in India.