~Writers~

Arianna Zander is a high school student living in Europe with her family as missionaries. When she’s not helping out in the ministry, her interests include writing short stories and novels, jewelry design, drawing, foreign languages, and comedy.

Derek Hanisch is unique indeed! Four years ago he fought and overcame cancer, a battle that would make him into the man he is today. Derek is majoring in Social Work while praying that God will use his life experiences to impact others. Feel free to connect with Derek on his blog at http://wordartificer.blogspot.com. {Derek is a former teen staff writer who still contributes occasionally to RTF.}

Graceland King is a talented 15-year-old writer who loves to write poems, short stories, and lyrics. She plays the bass in a youth praise band and continually tries to keep her spiritual fire burning!

Jamin “Jammin’” Goecker is a college student at Angelo State University who is working towards a career as a coach. In his spare time (which happens only about once a week when lucky!) he likes hanging out with teens. He loves running, lifting weights, hunting, hiking, pretty much anything related to the outdoors. {Jamin is a former teen staff writer who still contributes occasionally to RTF.}

Jennifer Grimes, 18, lives in Texas. Besides writing, she enjoys hanging out with her family, reading good books, eating chocolate, and sending snail-mail letters. She has recently adopted a stray kitten and learned to crochet. Most importantly, she has devoted her life to Christ and strives every day to serve God boldly.

Kalli Simmerman has been writing ever since God called her to become an author at the early age of eight. Due to some amazing connections, she has had the privilege of being published in several books and magazines as well as contributing to Real Teen Faith.

Matthew VanTryon is a junior in high school. He loves to hang out with friends and use his various abilities to glorify God and help others. He enjoys sports, and loves to read and write about them.

Sam Gardiner is a teen from Australia who has a passion for Christian music. When not writing for his Christian music website, God Tunes Reviews, he enjoys soccer, bike riding, reading, playing guitar and hanging out with family. He dreams of eventually writing and recording a song, and meeting his musical hero TobyMac.

Shannon Meiers is a high school junior who is deeply passionate about making a difference for Christ. She is involved with the special needs’ ministry in her church, but she’s the one who feels like she’s learning through it.

Stephany (Steph) Mendia accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior at age ten and has been living for Him ever since! She’s a youth worker in her church’s children’s ministry, loves kids, and has the most amazing friends and family. She attends a public high school, which has its challenges, but she loves it. She’s constantly laughing, smiling, writing, singing, and talking. You can catch up with her at her blog, Hey Might as Well.

~Editors~

Bekah & Ethan Martin are the authors of The Bare Naked Truth About Waiting, the book that takes a satirical stab at the lies girls believe about relationships (release date TBA soon). You can read more about the Bare Naked Truth and the Martin’s new addition to the family, Zoey — at www.bekahhamrickmartin.com.

Halee Matthews has been writing since she could hold a pencil, though her spelling has greatly improved since then. Throughout her childhood, she dabbled in poetry and fiction, usually while sitting in her favorite dogwood tree. Over the past several years, Halee has been a staff writer for various newspapers and magazines, and has developed a love for editing. Now she writes fiction, nonfiction, and poetry from the comfort of her couch, with a cup of coffee in her hand. You can find her hanging out on Twitter, on Facebook, or at her blog.

Abbie Miller is a slightly wacky college student with a passion for teen ministry, music, writing, drinking coffee, and doing awkward things. (Okay, so that last one’s more of an affliction than a passion. But whatever.) She’s been writing since forever, and has a huge collection of unfinished stories to her credit. In 2010 she became a staff writer for Real Teen Faith, and in 2011, joined the team as assistant editor. You can find her on Facebook,  Twitter,  or embarrassing herself in her local Starbucks.
Oh, and once every 800 years or so, she blogs at abbiewrites.com.