Pastor Justin Hege
Lead Pastor
Justin Hege is the Senior Pastor of The Shelter in Phoenix, AZ and has been in full time ministry since 1997. Justin began his career in Phoenix as a children and youth evangelist and attended the Institute of Christian Studies. In 2001, Justin relocated to Myrtle Beach, SC, and served as youth pastor at Grace Christian Fellowship for three years. After getting married, Justin and his family returned to ministry in Scottsdale, Arizona in 2005.
Serving as an Associate Pastor at Scottsdale Worship Center, Justin led a mission trip to Ecuador in 2010. During this trip, Justin was inspired to start his own ministry and The Shelter was born. In January of 2011, The Shelter began in the Hege living room, transitioned into the local public library, and finally settled into the location it is today.
He is an avid Washington Redskins fan and can oftentimes be found on the golf course teaching his eleven and seven year old sons how to perfect their golf swing. Justin and his wife Kristin have been married for almost two decades and have two large dogs that have a little more control of the house than they should. Together they enjoy gourmet cooking and spending time with their sons and family.
Serving as an Associate Pastor at Scottsdale Worship Center, Justin led a mission trip to Ecuador in 2010. During this trip, Justin was inspired to start his own ministry and The Shelter was born. In January of 2011, The Shelter began in the Hege living room, transitioned into the local public library, and finally settled into the location it is today.
He is an avid Washington Redskins fan and can oftentimes be found on the golf course teaching his eleven and seven year old sons how to perfect their golf swing. Justin and his wife Kristin have been married for almost two decades and have two large dogs that have a little more control of the house than they should. Together they enjoy gourmet cooking and spending time with their sons and family.
Pastor Jonathan Kroll
Executive Pastor
Jonathan Kroll is the Executive Pastor at The Shelter and has been in ministry since 1997. He began his career in Phoenix as a child and youth evangelist, traveling the country as part of Kids Rally USA for three years with Pastor Justin and other teams.
Jonathan attended Arizona State University and received his bachelor’s degree in economics and social anthropology, and after graduating worked in the field of economic development at a local development firm. He owned his own businesses for over a decade. He is currently a podcast producer, videographer, editor and the director of digital content for a productivity software company. Jonathan and his wife, Tricia, have two kids, Kennedy and Cooper. His hobbies include boating, hunting, fishing, shooting, archery, and off-roading.
Jonathan attended Arizona State University and received his bachelor’s degree in economics and social anthropology, and after graduating worked in the field of economic development at a local development firm. He owned his own businesses for over a decade. He is currently a podcast producer, videographer, editor and the director of digital content for a productivity software company. Jonathan and his wife, Tricia, have two kids, Kennedy and Cooper. His hobbies include boating, hunting, fishing, shooting, archery, and off-roading.
Pastor Lenny Corliss III
Associate Pastor
Growing up as a "P.K." or "Pastors Kid", Lenny has always been involved with ministry to some extent. As a young man he was regularly told that someday he would be a pastor too although, as a result, his youthful, rebellious spirit wanted nothing to do with it.
Regardless, God eventually had His way in Lenny as he began to develop a strong desire to be involved in the lives of youth. He struggled greatly through his teen years discovering who he was, who God really was, and who God wanted him to be. What started with a volunteer position with a small youth group eventually led to Lenny being ordained and having the privilege of being a youth pastor for almost a decade.
During that time he met a very "unorthodox" college pastor names Justin Hege, and well.....the rest is history! Lenny has been so incredibly fortunate to be a part of The Shelter's journey from the conception and he is honored to be an Assistant Pastor along side one of his best friends.
Lenny's wife, Lindsey, who is a full time nurse and mother, makes time to share her talents in a variety of ways. They have been blessed with their son, Leo, who has been appropriately nick named, "Motor Man", due to the fact that he loves anything with a motor and rarely stops moving! In such a fast paced life, they feel very fortunate to have found such a unique and diverse church family here at The Shelter.
Regardless, God eventually had His way in Lenny as he began to develop a strong desire to be involved in the lives of youth. He struggled greatly through his teen years discovering who he was, who God really was, and who God wanted him to be. What started with a volunteer position with a small youth group eventually led to Lenny being ordained and having the privilege of being a youth pastor for almost a decade.
During that time he met a very "unorthodox" college pastor names Justin Hege, and well.....the rest is history! Lenny has been so incredibly fortunate to be a part of The Shelter's journey from the conception and he is honored to be an Assistant Pastor along side one of his best friends.
Lenny's wife, Lindsey, who is a full time nurse and mother, makes time to share her talents in a variety of ways. They have been blessed with their son, Leo, who has been appropriately nick named, "Motor Man", due to the fact that he loves anything with a motor and rarely stops moving! In such a fast paced life, they feel very fortunate to have found such a unique and diverse church family here at The Shelter.
Pastor Marcella Dias
Portuguese Ministry
Pr. Marcella was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and moved to Phoenix with her husband, Jose, in 2003. God blessed them with beautiful children and grandchildren.
She was preparing to start her MBA when, in 2003, God called her to the ministry. Since then, she has devoted herself to growing in her faith and knowledge of the Word of God. She was ordained Pastor in 2011 with Independent Assemblies of God International, also as a Chaplain with Phoenix First Assembly of God.
She has been part of the Shelter Church since 2012, where she works as a pastor and chaplain serving the church members and the Brazilian community through the Portuguese Ministry. She works as a Chaplain and Bereavement Coordinator with Hospice and Palliative Care. She is also a current Chaplain Intern at Banner University Medical Center in Phoenix.
She has her Master’s Degree in Theology from Gateway International Bible Institute and is currently working on her Clinical Pastoral Education. Every year she improves her skills through training and certifications. She loves music, art, and languages. In her spare time, she loves to learn new languages, play her guitar, and use her creativity through paint, creating illustrations in acrylic and watercolor.
She was preparing to start her MBA when, in 2003, God called her to the ministry. Since then, she has devoted herself to growing in her faith and knowledge of the Word of God. She was ordained Pastor in 2011 with Independent Assemblies of God International, also as a Chaplain with Phoenix First Assembly of God.
She has been part of the Shelter Church since 2012, where she works as a pastor and chaplain serving the church members and the Brazilian community through the Portuguese Ministry. She works as a Chaplain and Bereavement Coordinator with Hospice and Palliative Care. She is also a current Chaplain Intern at Banner University Medical Center in Phoenix.
She has her Master’s Degree in Theology from Gateway International Bible Institute and is currently working on her Clinical Pastoral Education. Every year she improves her skills through training and certifications. She loves music, art, and languages. In her spare time, she loves to learn new languages, play her guitar, and use her creativity through paint, creating illustrations in acrylic and watercolor.
Pastor Jesse Bollinger
Jesse is the Counseling and Teaching Pastor at the Shelter. He was born in Iowa and lived there until the family moved to Arizona in 1985. When he was four years old, Jesse invited Jesus into his heart. Soon after, he became curious about the footnotes in the Bible that was read to him daily, and he developed an insatiable desire to understand what God clearly intended in His Word.
At age 7, Jesse identified a negative relational pattern and became curious about how to fix it. This sparked his interest in psychology and human behavior, which began his journey into counseling ministry.
Jesse was homeschooled through high school and his love for God and His Word continued to grow. At a youth conference at age 16, the Lord called him into ministry and his thirst for study and the use of his gifts increased exponentially. After high school Jesse took a sabbatical and made his way to Israel where he experienced a sense of “home.” It was a journey that further deepened his dedication to the Lord’s calling.
In 2007, Jesse graduated Cum Laude from Liberty University with a seminary degree. He has since spent his life studying, counseling, and teaching God’s Word. He has served in a number of churches across the valley, and produced and hosted a Christian radio program called “The Unwinding Path” on 1280 KXEG. He continues his research and enjoys the fellowship of family and friends. Among other activities, he occasionally provides expert testimony in litigations, enjoys investing, and plays the piano.
An interesting historical fact: Jesse is a direct descendant of Zwingli, the sixteenth century leader of the Protestant Reformation in Switzerland.
At age 7, Jesse identified a negative relational pattern and became curious about how to fix it. This sparked his interest in psychology and human behavior, which began his journey into counseling ministry.
Jesse was homeschooled through high school and his love for God and His Word continued to grow. At a youth conference at age 16, the Lord called him into ministry and his thirst for study and the use of his gifts increased exponentially. After high school Jesse took a sabbatical and made his way to Israel where he experienced a sense of “home.” It was a journey that further deepened his dedication to the Lord’s calling.
In 2007, Jesse graduated Cum Laude from Liberty University with a seminary degree. He has since spent his life studying, counseling, and teaching God’s Word. He has served in a number of churches across the valley, and produced and hosted a Christian radio program called “The Unwinding Path” on 1280 KXEG. He continues his research and enjoys the fellowship of family and friends. Among other activities, he occasionally provides expert testimony in litigations, enjoys investing, and plays the piano.
An interesting historical fact: Jesse is a direct descendant of Zwingli, the sixteenth century leader of the Protestant Reformation in Switzerland.
Justin McKennon
Worship Leader
Justin McKennon is a worship leader at the Shelter Church. He has been playing music since he was 8 years old and has been directly involved in worship ministry and leading worship for the last 12 years of his life. He grew up in a very musical family, and some of his favorite memories are of worshiping the Lord with his family at dinners and celebrations.
Justin is passionate about using the gifts and talents the Lord has given him to give back to the Lord, and to build His kingdom. He feels closest to God when he is lost in deep and humble worship.
He interned at The Shelter Church under Pastor Justin Hege, and has been working at The Shelter since 2016 primarily as a youth leader and worship leader. Ministry has become an extremely important part of his life, and he loves serving the body of Christ however he can.
Justin is newly married, and is enjoying his new life with his wife Abby. They enjoy cooking together, traveling whenever they can, and board game nights with friends. Justin also loves spoiling their dog and is not ashamed to admit it.
Justin is passionate about using the gifts and talents the Lord has given him to give back to the Lord, and to build His kingdom. He feels closest to God when he is lost in deep and humble worship.
He interned at The Shelter Church under Pastor Justin Hege, and has been working at The Shelter since 2016 primarily as a youth leader and worship leader. Ministry has become an extremely important part of his life, and he loves serving the body of Christ however he can.
Justin is newly married, and is enjoying his new life with his wife Abby. They enjoy cooking together, traveling whenever they can, and board game nights with friends. Justin also loves spoiling their dog and is not ashamed to admit it.
Niki Marshall
Director of Women's Ministry
If you talk to Niki for more than a few minutes, you learn that she is from Texas and very proud of it. However, her Texas pride is easily outshined by her love of Jesus.
She was drawn to The Shelter Church in 2013 because of its service based core values. Niki's passion is for everyone to know the love of Jesus Christ and, more importantly, that it applies to them. To better understand this herself and to better speak truth into others, Niki is currently back in school to pursue a degree in Biblical Studies.
She is blessed to serve the women and families of The Shelter Church with a heart for the Lord, lots of jokes and real talk. Niki and her husband have two awesome boys and love living in the desert.
She was drawn to The Shelter Church in 2013 because of its service based core values. Niki's passion is for everyone to know the love of Jesus Christ and, more importantly, that it applies to them. To better understand this herself and to better speak truth into others, Niki is currently back in school to pursue a degree in Biblical Studies.
She is blessed to serve the women and families of The Shelter Church with a heart for the Lord, lots of jokes and real talk. Niki and her husband have two awesome boys and love living in the desert.
Chris Barden
Online Ministry
Chris Barden is a former teacher with 10+ years of experience educating students and adults. His education background makes him an excellent addition as our Social Ministries Director. Chris creates content for our social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. In addition to our online ministries, you will certainly find him teaching at every level within the church whenever we gather together. His love for people and our community of believers makes him a perfect fit for our team here at The Shelter. He is newly married to the wonderful Elizabeth who shares his love of travel.