I was born on November 12, 1967 in El Salvador, Central America. I came to the United States in 1985 and lived in California for eight years. After that, I lived nine years in Texas. I, then, moved to Orlando in 2002. I grew up in a non-religious environment for most of my life, even though my grandmother knew about God. She raised me from the time I was 3 years old.

I began my search for God in 1991. One day I came across a "One Nation Under God" flyer by picking it up from the trash (the flyer was sponsored by the churches of Christ). I sent for the Bible correspondence course that was offered, and in 1993, I was baptized for the forgiveness of my sins and into Christ. That same year I left CA to go into a Bible institute in Texas. I graduated in 1995, and then I met Sara Jane (my wife) in Honduras. She was a missionary working there only for the summers. In the mean time I was doing a survey trip for future mission work. At the end of the summer, we both came back to the States and dated for three years and then were married. Meanwhile, I worked for Texas Instruments and Sara went through college for a degree in Elementary Education.

The reason for me to be in the ministry is because I appreciate what Jesus has done for me. I especially wanted to be used by God to bring more Hispanics to His kingdom. Since 1995, I have volunteered at several churches that didn't have evangelists, but in 2000 I left my full-time secular job to work full time in the ministry.

Sara and I have a son, Gabriel Anthony, and very soon, a daughter, Ariel Elizabeth. Sara also coordinates the nursery work, the ladies prayer breakfasts for the Hispanic ladies, and is involved in several other things in the church. I do many jobs in the church myself, besides trying to develop maturity, leadership, and reaching the souls of Orlando with my brothers and sisters.

With Jehovah's help, my vision is to see many healthy Hispanic churches of Christ in Orlando, and especially, to see a vibrant, growing, mature, generous, purposeful congregation at Concord Street.

Thanks and God bless you all,

Carlos Valle

Dan Cawthon was born in Decatur, Alabama, to Bob and Gloria Cawthon and grew up in San Diego, California. His family moved to Orlando when Dan was a senior in high school and he has lived in Florida since.

Dan attended F.T.U., now known as the University of Central Florida, for nearly three years. He later worked as a grocery store manager and then went into the food sales business. In 1995, Dan became acquainted with Wade Brown and shared his interest in helping start an Inner City Ministry at Concord Street in August of that year. Dan first served as a volunteer and later filled a part-time, paid position in the Inner City Ministry. For the past three years, he has served as the full time Inner City Minister at Concord Street. This ministry, which works with children, their families and others who live in Orlandos inner city neighborhoods, also started an inner city church in 2002 at Midtown Church of Christ.

Dan met his wife, Magaly, on a mission trip to San Cristobal, Venezuela, that was sponsored by Concord Street. Dan and Magaly were married in December 1998, and they now have two children, Daniel and Ariana.

When Magaly arrived in Orlando with her new husband, she spoke very little English. So, Dan and Concord member Alonzo Herrera started a Spanish service that has grown from just seven members to a larger congregation that continues to meet today at Concord and has its own full-time minister.

In addition to his love for the Lord and reaching out to the lost, Dan enjoys the outdoors, camping, hiking, working in the yard and wildlife. He also enjoys participating in sporting activities and following his favorite sports teams.

Kenny Backhaus is the youngest of three siblings, and was born and raised in Orlando, FL. Kenny has attended the Concord Street Church of Christ for his entire life, and has recently served as the youth ministry intern. Since his graduation from Florida Christian College, Kenny has moved into full-time ministry, serving as the youth minister at Concord Street.

Kenny met his wife, Bethney Backhaus, at the Central Florida Bible Camp. Both have graduated from the Mount Dora Christian Home and Bible School, and were married in June of 2007. They currently reside in Tavares, FL and are both extremely passionate and grateful to be able to serve at the Concord Street Church of Christ.

Kenny is a graduate of Florida Christian College in Kissimmee, FL. He graduated in May of 2008 with a BA in Bible and Youth and Family Ministry. While at the college, Kenny was active in many things including the collegiate basketball team. Upon graduation, Kenny recieved the Youth and Family Ministry Award for the class of 2008. Bethney will graduate from FCC in 2009 with a degree in Bible and Elementary Education.

Kenny brings to the student ministry a strong desire to serve God and be strong in the word, as well as a heart to serve others.