bios

BIOGRAPHIES

In 1980, David's life was radically changed from a lifestyle of selfishness and drug and alcohol abuse to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and he committed himself to Him wholly to know and serve Him intimately. Within a year, he entered a 5 month "Discipleship Training School" in Concord, New Hampshire with Youth With A Mission.

Afterwards, David and Robin were married, and in 1983 she trained in the same 5 month program. Subsequently, they enrolled in the 5 month "School of Evangelism" and graduated in 1984.

In 1984, their family of 3 moved to Manchester, New Hampshire and until 1989, served in two different local churches running weekly meetings connected with the local church and outreaches both in New England and Haiti. After a severe truck collision at David's job, which almost took his life and left him with permanent neck and back injuries, he began seeking the Lord in prayer for further direction. It was at that time that the Lord directed them back into vocational missions work.

The family (5 by then) entered another 5 month program called "School of Missions" in Salem, Oregon which was also a Youth With A Mission Training School. This was in preparation for their service in the greater New York area. They joined Youth With A Mission Metro New York in March 1990, which was based in Elizabeth, New Jersey. They then served with YWAM, Metro New York through 1997.

David oversaw the operation of the Urban Outreach department of YWAM, Metro New York in which they served incoming teams who wanted to come to the city to make an impact in the areas of mercy ministry, evangelism, and getting to know the "Living God" in a more intimate and practical way daily. They did about every form of evangelism in NYC, sharing personally on the streets, setting up prayer tables to pray for people, performing dramas and live public praise bands in various locations in the city. These things are an expression of YWAM's motto, "To know God and to make Him known".

Additionally, both now and in the past, David speaks to all different groups at church services, conferences, retreats for young and old, and any other scheduled meeting. He has led teams of people to do evangelism in other countries such as Canada, Venezuela, Haiti, and the Ukraine.and for the past 12 years Brazil. His life and that of his wife and 4 children, is to obey the Holy Spirit, in whatever He says to do and to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Since January 1997, the Van Fleet's have founded and overseen Street LIFE Ministries, and are committed to see her become all God desires as a means to seeing Christ exalted, and His Body fully mature, and in helping to complete the GREAT COMMISSION!!

Hi, I'm Carol from Minnesota!

My walk with Jesus began on February 26, 1992 when a friend led me to the Lord. At that moment I didn't really understand the commitment I made but I do remember the angels singing. The next four years I wasn't being discipled and I struggled. Before I started high school, the same friend who led me to the Lord took me on a trip. I was baptized in the Holy Spirit which marked a new stage in my walk. My friend and her dad prayed over me during that time. They prayed that I would find Christian friends and a church. The Lord heard those prayers. At my high school, I got hooked up with a Bible study and received a lot of encouragement there. The next year I was plugged into a church and discipled. It was there I heard God's call to ministry. My faith grew a lot in high school. I went to Bethel College after that and the Lord continued to teach me. Then He radically changed my direction in life after going on a spring break missions trip to Street LIFE in March 2003.

Since I was planning on full-time ministry, I thought I should go to seminary. God had other plans. The week I was at SLM, the Lord kept telling me I was going to come work here. When I got back home people said I shined. God did an awesome work in my heart that I can't fully explain. He gave me a heart for the poor and the city. But I continued to pray about moving here. It was a big step especially when I'm not used to the city or being so far from home. But I was hearing confirmation after confirmation. I finally accepted it was from the Lord after my pastor gave a sermon on taking risks for God. I started working on my application shortly after that. I was accepted in August 2003 and never doubted it was God. I arrived on December 27, 2003. One thing I like the most about New York City is the diversity of people. I enjoy the many cultures coming together.

God called me to SLM for many reasons. I came here not only to serve but to be changed by the Lord. He's preparing me to do the work of His Kingdom.

Check Out Carol's Video Updates

updated 9/2008

Hello! My name is Jess and I am 20 years old. I joined Street LIFE Ministries July 2006 and am so blessed to be part of a ministry truly focused on knowing the King and advancing His Kingdom. As I serve with Street LIFE my heart for the city and the lost continues to grow and I see more and more of God's love and passion for ALL to know Him. What an opportunity to serve in such a diverse city with almost every nation represented!

I grew up in New Jersey going to church every single Sunday for as long as I can remember. My mom taught me to read my Bible and pray and love others but as I got older these principles were more on a "when I feel like it" basis than a lifestyle flowing out of relationship with Christ. It wasn't until I went on a winter retreat with my youth group at age thirteen that I had a personal encounter with Jesus. I saw my sin and His grace and I have never been the same. Learning to walk with the Lord hasn't always been easy, but God is so faithful and I know that there is no better life than for me to live His way and according to His will. I desire to please Him and have my life be a fragrant offering unto Him.

Check Out Jess' Video Updates

updated 10/08

"The Lord your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy." Zeph 3:17

Who am I? Well… let me start with my name. I am Amy (Ho Yin) Wong and I am a child of God. At this moment, I am currently 18 years old, a freshmen in college and studying social work. I can pretty much say I've lived in New York City almost all my life and plan to be here as long as the Lord has me. Ever since I accepted Jesus Christ into my life back in 2005, I can honestly say it's been one amazing journey.

Let's just say, never in my wildest dream would I think I'd be called into full time missions in my own hometown but, God's plans are far greater than my own. Through a series of events and circumstances I came into contact with Street LIFE Ministries through one of the staff who began mentoring me. Shortly after, I graduated high school and served SLM as a summer intern and since then God has laid it on my heart to be here.

Through my journey as a Christian, I've learned the freedom in love. I realize there is just so much to know about Jesus and the love that He has for us and I desire to know it and make it known to others as well. I've grown and learned a lot these past couple of years and I desire to know more. Through serving at Street LIFE Ministries, I know that God will show me the desires of His heart in deeper and more intimate ways and give me a greater love for the people of my hometown and the nations that live here.

Besides serving at SLM, I am currently a youth leader at a local church in Flushing and was a leader in the Seekers Christian Club at my high school. My desire is to see more youth come to know the joys and the blessings in walking with Jesus intimately and serving Him. There is nothing else greater in life than that.

I don't exactly know what God has in store for my life, but I trust that it is in His hands. I know that everyday is another chance to experience Him and I would not trade it for the world (literally). All in all, I just love Jesus. :)

Check out Amy's Video Updates

updated 1/2008

Hello! My name is Mary Anna. I am 27 years old and from North Carolina. I’m thrilled to be here in New York serving with Street LIFE, a ministry that truly has the Great Commission as the foundation of its vision. That’s what my heart burns for, the harvest! I want to look back over my life one day and know that it was defined and driven by going to the very ends of the earth to snatch the precious souls of men and women out of the fire!

That is what the Lord has done for me. Before Jesus, I was in a desperate state of bondage to drugs, alcohol, sex, and many other sins that I don’t have time to list. And when everything in my life fell apart and I wanted to die, God showed up! I had a radical encounter with the Holy Spirit, gave my life to Him, and He set me free, out of the chains and into the life He always intended for me. So ever since, I have been pursuing God with all my heart, and He brought me here. Miraculously! I had never even heard of Street Life a few months ago. But that is another story…

I am filled with hope and anticipation as I think of all God wants to do in this great city, and I am grateful for the part I get to play in it. I cannot wait to see all that God will do in NYC, and in and through me while I’m here. I pray that with each passing day, God will fan the flames in my heart to worship Him, serve Him, and introduce the world to Him.

Check out Mary Anna's Video Updates

updated 9/2008

My name is Riley Mullins. I joined Street LIFE in May 2010.

There have been moments in my life where I felt a strong call to ministry and other moments where I did not “feel” that call. Throughout high school and college I had many opportunities to serve with Street LIFE in NYC and Brazil. Entering my senior year of college at the University of Dayton, I knew that God had divinely orchestrated my relationship with Street LIFE and the people there and I committed to joining full-time staff after graduating.

Being at Street LIFE is definitely like being in an intensified “school of life,” as it seems God is teaching me more about Himself and myself since I came here than in any other season of my life.

A little “about” me I suppose: One thing that has always stirred my heart is drama ministry. I believe it is one of the most powerful tools in communicating the Gospel! Being at Street LIFE and having the opportunity to participate in some drama ministry is a tremendous blessing to me. Many movie soundtracks illuminate great vision for drama ministry - I hope to further develop this passion. And I have always loved movies. Many times God’s character is made alive to me through film scenes that I know well and reflect on. Some favorite films would be: The Lord of the Rings, Man on Fire, The Prestige, Kingdom of Heaven, and Crash.

The closest thing I’ve ever had to a “life verse” (there is so much glory in the Word - this is probably just one of my favorites more than it is a “life verse”) is Philippians 1:27, “Whatever happens, to conduct myself in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ.” In thought, word, deed, attitude... everything – to progressively come to know the living God more and more and deal in all of life according to how I have experienced His love for me. That through this His life would spread to many.

Check Out Riley's Video Updates

updated 1/2010