Peter Carlson

Director of Youth Ministries

Peter grew up in a Christian home and has been a Christian his entire life.  He feels his church youth group was instrumental in strengthening his relationship with God.

Peter has been involved with TVC Youth for 4 years. His high energy and his passion for Star Wars and Lord of The Rings made him a perfect fit to be the youth director.  Peter loves creating community and loves to see teenagers grow in Christ. His favorite moments are when he sees a spiritual idea "click on" in a student's mind.  One of his favorite things about teaching the Bible is that it forces him to be more educated in the scriptures.

When Peter is not working with TVC Youth, he spends time working on the photography business he owns with his wife, Whitney.  He also enjoys playing games with friends, watching movies, and going on vacations with Whitney.

Melanie Dickey

Assistant Director of Youth Ministries

Melanie has spent most of her life in her native Southern Illinois, cheering on the Cardinals and enjoying growing up in a small town community.  She was raised in the church and still maintains great relationships with her high school youth group friends and mentors.  After graduating from Greenville College in Greenville, IL and living in St. Louis for a year, Melanie decided to migrate south.  She has lived in Nashville for the past two years and considers the Village Chapel her church family.

Working for Operation Christmas Child (through Samaritan's Purse) has allowed Melanie to integrate her passion for missions into her professional life.  She is also very committed to

working with youth and is excited about not only the fun experiences to come, but also in encouraging the youth in building a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.  In her spare time Melanie enjoys home decorating, volunteering with Not For Sale, podcasts and game nights with her friends.

Melanie has served with TVC Youth over the past summer.

James Harrington

Bible Study Small Group

& Social Events Leader

James moved to Nashville from Boston 3 years ago, and has been at TVC for nearly as long.

Before moving to Nashville, James spent 5 years singing professionally in ensembles in New England, including award winning groups Hyannis Sound and Groove; running clinics and judging collegiate singing competitions; producing an international music festival; and singing on his church's worship team.  A 2006 Berklee College of Music graduate in Music Business, James currently works as a music copyist and copy writer, is an avid vocal arranger and trumpet player, and sings with the Nashville Symphony Chorus and Chamber Chorus, and the Nashville Opera Chorus, as well as the occasional jazz engagement.

James is a textbook INFJ and places great value on the amazing relationships he forges with the students and other leaders at TVC Youth.

James has served TVC Youth for the past year and a half.

Sean Savacool

Bible Study Small Group 

& Social Events Leader 

Sean Savacool is a veteran TVCer of four years.  His passion for scripture, community, and discipleship led him to volunteer for service as a youth leader.  When he is not volunteering for the church as greeter, worship team musician, host of 20's Dinner by Decade, and youth leader, Sean holds a clerk position at CD Warehouse and plays the bass.  He feels that community is important as reflecting the image of God in the body of Christ, and that one of the most important aspects of community is the spiritual growth of young people.  Having had various spiritual mentors throughout his life, Sean feels the need to pay it forward and give back to God what has been given to him. Sean spends his time reading books, writing fiction, and playing in the indie rock band Eastern Block.

Sean has served TVC Youth for the past year.

Alyssa Stell

Bible Study Small Group Leader

Alyssa Stell grew up a homeschooled highschooler in Texas.  She moved to Nashville four years ago to attend Belmont University.  After graduating from Belmont this year, she is now studying at Vanderbilt University to get a masterʼs in Human Development Counseling so she can be a school counselor.  Alyssa loves Nashville, most especially TVC (where she has been for a year), Las Paletas (cookies & cream and berries are her favorites), the Starbucks on West End, and the trees in the fall (the leaves actually change colors instead of being scorched off like in Texas).

Alyssa is excited to get to know the TVC youth, and she feels privileged to get to witness how they are each unique image-bearers of Christ.  She is excited to share in their journey of being molded more into His image.

This is Alyssaʼs first year to serve with TVC Youth.

Bill Power

Bible Study Small Group Leader 

Bill Power is a native of the west coast (Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle) and grew up in a Christian home.  His father was a Minister Of Music in the Presbyterian Church where Bill was active in the music program.  He was also in the high school youth group, which he credits as the most spiritually influential time of his life (second only to Jim's teaching at TVC, of course!). Because of his positive experience in youth group growing up he has always wanted to be a part of leading youth as an "adult" - and the opportunity finally presented itself 20 some years later at TVC!

Bill has held many jobs including U.S. Army Soldier, Janitor, Shipping & Receiving Clerk, Security Guard, A&R Guy, Band Manager, T-Shirt Salesman and Seasonal Beard Grower.  He also spent the better part of his 20's playing loud rock music in a variety of not-very-noteworthy bands.  When he's not acting ridiculous in an attempt to make people laugh Bill is the general manager for Zambooie.com (a music merchandise company) and a partner in African charity brand This Shirt Changes Lives.  He is happy husband to Ronee Lynn, a grad student at Peabody/Vanderbilt and future School Counselor.  They have both been regular attenders at TVC for about 2 years.

This is Bill's first year to serve with TVC Youth.

Jenni Shaver

Social Events Leader

Jenni grew up in upstate New York and moved to Nashville two weeks after her college graduation.  She has been a regular at The Village Chapel for about two years and feels extremely blessed to have found such an amazing church and community.  She works at an artist management company, has a passion for music and singing, and regularly leads worship at TVC.

Jenni is excited to start building relationships with the TVC Youth.  She had many role models growing up, and she wants to invest in the youth at this church in the same way others invested in her. Jenni's relationship with Christ has been a lifelong journey, and she hopes to encourage and challenge the youth in their walk with the Lord.  She also loves their energy and enthusiasm, and canʼt wait to hang out and have fun!

Jenni can be described as an introvert with a quirky side.  She loves nothing more than to sit down and talk with a friend one on one (preferably with coffee in hand).  She also loves the food network, traveling, collecting dangly earrings, going to the beach and sitting on porches.

This is Jenniʼs first year to serve with TVC Youth.

Karissa la Cour

Social Events Leader

Karissa grew up in a Christian home in a big family with 6 kids in the lovely cold state of Wyoming.  She has lived in Nashville for two years now, and as most fellow Nashvillians, is pursuing a career in the music field.

She enjoys working with the youth and hopes to make a positive impact on their lives as her youth leaders did in her life.  What they taught her of God has stuck throughout her life and helped her faith grow.  She is continually amazed by the youth and everything they know.  Occasionally, she finds the youth are teaching her!  Karissa feels itʼs a blessing to be around their smiling faces and be able to help/guide in whatever way she can.

She is a silly girl with a competitive streak, who loves Sci Fi, running, singing, Harrison Ford, David Duchovony, any outdoor activity, most sports, and of course Jesus!  She is addicted to coffee, books, and toaster waffles.

Karissa has served TVC youth for the past year.