About Us

YPC STAFF

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Pastor Darian Rains is the founder and Lead Pastor of Your Place Church in Pryor, OK. After almost 20 years in supportive ministry God lead Darian to Launch Your Place Church in April of 2009. What started as a handful of family's in a local coffee shop now is a thriving community of believers with the same goal in mind, to Reach Connect and Equip the people in rural North East Oklahoma.

“You can drive to any metro-community and find a life giving worship experience” says Darian “But few are bringing the ‘big-city’ experience to small town America”

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Pastor Darian is also very passionate for church planters and is coaching pastors all over the nation.

Darian married his high school sweet heart in March 1993 and together they have 2 teenagers and 1 pre-teen who keeps them young and hip.

Life Motto: the pain of discipline is far less then the pain of regret

Three People I'd Like to Meet:

Chuck Norris

Brian Houston

Michael Weston

My Hero: My Wife

One of My Greatest Experiences with God: Receiving the call to ministry on a missions trip to the Navajo reservation in Arizona.

Favorite

Food: anything grilled

Snack Food: flaming hot Cheetos

Movie: Disney's Mega Mind (full of one liners)

Book: there are too many to list!!

TV Show: Physic, Burn Notice, Royal Pains, Covert Affairs, Suits (USA network)

Musical Artists: YPC worship team

Season: Fall

Place in the World: On the beach

Place to Pray: on the beach

Recreational Activities/Hobbies: Water Sports

Scripture: Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things-and the things that are not-to nullify the things that are, (1 Corinthians 1:26-28 NIV)

Sports Team: Pryor Tigers

Least Favorite

Food: beef stew

Snack Food: pretzels and popcorn (how can anyone eat those)

Season: Winter

Place in the World: Hell

Well, I was born in Nebraska, but am a true Okie at heart. I live to help fulfill my husbands call and in that I walk out God's plan for my life. I have three crazy, awesome kids that make me laugh and fill me with pride. I love Your Place Church. My husband bought me a jeep that I like to get muddy. Some of my favorite things in life are hangin' out around a fire laughing and sharing amazing God moments with friends and family, and pretty much anything that includes sun and water. Oh, and I'm from a long line of coffee drinkers.

Life Motto: Look for the best in everyone... They all have a story.

Three People I'd Like to Meet:

Steven Tyler

Joel Olsteen

Jerry Jones... He might just give me the Cowboys.

My Hero: My Husband, Darian Rains

One of My Greatest Experiences with God: In the summer before we launched YPC it was a trying time. I had decided to go out by the lake and pray. I remember sitting out on this giant rock on a peninsula explaining to God that our situation seems impossible... About this time a thousand or more bumble bees fly over my head. I've always loved bumble bees. They aren't suppose to fly. Yet they do. God was showing me in that moment that impossible things are His specialty. If He can cause His creation to fly when everything in our world says it shouldn't, than how much more could He turn this situation around too. And He did. He is and always will be the God of possibility!

Most people don't know about me: I can say all 50 states in alphabetical order.

Favorite

Food: anything with guacamole

Snack Food: chips and salsa

Movie: Two Weeks Notice

Book: The Barbarian Way

TV Show: Psych

Musical Artists: Annie Ledoux

Actor: Darian Rains ;)

Season: SUMMMER!!!

Place in the World: Where I can get a tan.

Place to Pray: The Shower

Recreational Activities/Hobbies: boating/Jeepin'

Scripture: Love Never Fails

Sports Team: Dallas Cowboys

Sport: football!!

Least Favorite

Food: Seafood!!

Snack Food: Corn nuts

Season: winter... The cold makes me cry

Place in the World: At a funeral

Currently building an awesome crack team of creative people to run all things creative at YPC. Wow how did I get here??? The story is much to long for this space, but hey if you want to know my story feel free to ask, I would love to share it with you.

I have a wonderful wife that is always by my side through thick and thin. Both of us have always had a heart for youth and kids in general. Still wanting to be foster parents we have three kids of our own and have recently gained guardianship of another little one.

For as long as God blesses us with the room, our home will be open to help others. You can often find me at the church helping film something or building a creative element for Sunday service or Exchange service on Wednesdays. We are building up our resources to start training others in the creative arts and ways of the digital media world... Wow that sounded cheesy, I should stop while I'm ahead... if you can call this ahead.

Life Motto:

Live for the Lord and the rest will work itself out, be authentic and truthful especially to yourself and success will find you.

Three People I'd Like to Meet:

Steven Spielberg

J.J. Abrams

Ray Harryhausen

My Hero:

My Grandpa

One of My Greatest Experiences with God:

Being led to this position all the way from California.

One Thing You Might Not Know:

I've been running my own digital media business for nearly 10 years. Wow am I really getting old? Is 31 old?

Favorite

Food: Sandwiches

Snack Food: Chips or Sunflower Seeds

Movie: Snakes on a plane... Just kidding. There are to many to mention and I would need to split them into categories.

Book: The Holy Bible

TV Show: Currently Fringe but changes every season

Season: Winter, cold is better because there is snow.

Place in the World: Truckee, CA

Place to Pray: My home office at night.

Recreational Activities/Hobbies: Video Games, Computers, Photography, Animation, Video.. wait... I think I am talking about work now.

Scripture: But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31

Sport: Video Games... wait that's not a sport... or is it? I'll take that challenge, stop by anytime and we'll find out.

Least Favorite

Food: vegetables

Snack Food: Anything bland

Season: Dead Heat of Summer

Place in the World: A long line that never feels like it's moving.

I have lived in Pryor my whole life and I have a deep rooted compassion for this community. I love teenagers and have a heart for reaching the next generation to find their cause and purpose that God has placed inside each of them. I did not have a relationship with Jesus when I was a teenager and I believe it's a crucial age to build relationships with people who can encourage and guide you through your journey.

Aside from my ministry duties as the Youth Director for Exchange, I am a wife and mother of two. My husband, Jesse, is my rock and the main reason I have come to know Jesus. My oldest son Dalton, attends college at Oral Roberts University and I couldn't be prouder of him for following his dreams and choosing a school grounded in ministering to the mind, body and soul of each person. My youngest son Carter, inspires me to find blessing in every day. He is a miracle of God, having been born 15 weeks premature and living life to its fullest. All of my boys bring laughter to my soul and joy in my heart for this simple life we live here in Pryor Creek, Oklahoma.

My Hero: My grandma and grandpa Walker inspired me at an early age. They showed me the love of Jesus when I was very young, and I remember attending church with them. My grandpa is home with Jesus now, but I was blessed to receive his bible, and I often read the scriptures he has highlighted, knowing he marked the passages that he taught and shared with others. My grandma is still living and she is feisty. She has always been a straight talker, honest and genuine. I am a lot like her. They loved God their whole lives and I find peace knowing I will spend eternity with them.

One of my greatest experiences with God: Other than my salvation, and my journey with Carter's premature birth I would say another experience I shared with God is when my mom was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Although my faith never weakened, my strength was challenged. Seeing your loved one go through a life changing event, surgery, pain, hair loss and incredible challenge was tough. Her battle became our battle and God used it to bring us closer. I prayed on a daily basis for her health, strength, confidence and joy to be restored better than it was prior to the diagnosis. My mom had a lot to live for and I'm happy to say she is cancer free, loves God and she brings joy to others, like no other.

Most people don't know about me: I would rather spend a day on a mountain top then spend a day on a beach. I would rather lay on my trampoline and watch the clouds go by and listen to nature then read a book. I won't leave the house without earrings on. My closest friends are all named Jennifer. When I was young I was a cheerleader, baton twirler, softball player, danced and was on a bowling league.

I firmly belief that if you aren't living life passionately than you aren't living life. That if you can't laugh at yourself, than there's a problem. That deep God breathed community is awkward, beautiful, and awesome. And that well placed vulnerability is required to for any solid relationship, both with God and people. I love Jesus' bride (the church) almost as much as I love Jesus. I believe that The Church is the ultimate cause and seeing it grow and flourish is my calling in life. The Church is not the periphery, but the rest of the world is.

I love my Jesus. I love my husband. I love my church. I love my family.

And far as personal history goes, I grew up in Kansas, was raised by great parents. I moved here three years ago, because I wanted to be a part of what God's church is doing in Northeast Oklahoma. I've been a part of church since I was a kid. The first time I preached a message to a crowd, I was three years old and that crowd was a bunch of stuffed animals.

I don't remember it that well, but I'm pretty sure they weren't paying attention.

Life Motto: The glory of God is humanity fully alive.

Three People I'd Like to Meet: Don Miller. Mindy Kaling. Judah Smith.

My Hero: Drew Strange.

One of My Greatest Experiences with God: When I went to Cambodia in the summer of 2012, the very first worship service I was a part of was one of the most incredible worship experiences I'd ever been a part of it. First, the prescense of God was irresistible. You'd have to be dead inside not to feel it. Second, even though I couldn't understand a word of what was being said, moments like that just make me feel such a kinship with the body of Christ globally. There are people all over the world who lift songs of devotion to Jesus. That just moves me.

Most people don't know about me: I'm slightly addicted to competition cooking shows.

Favorite

Food: Anything deeply flavorful. If I hear the word garlic, I'm usually sold.

Snack Food: Popcorn

Movie: The Princess Bride.

Book: Other than the obvious answer (The Bible) I think I'd have to say, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years

TV Show: Parks and Rec

Musical Artists: John Mark Mcmillian

Actor: Zooey deschanel

Season: Autumn

Place in the World: Anywhere I can get a good cup of coffee.

Place to Pray: my car.

Recreational Activities/Hobbies: Writing. Listening to or playing music.

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:7-9(MSG) 7-11Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God's words; if help, let it be God's hearty help. That way, God's bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he'll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!

Sports Team: USA

Sport: The Olympics.

Least Favorite

Food: Liver, but that may be because I've only ever had it poorly cooked. I think when done right, nearly any food can be made delicious.

Snack Food: Anything Hostess or Little Debbie, other than Zebra cakes.

Season: Summer.

Place in the World: Anywhere I can't get a good cup of coffee.

Stephanie was part of the Launch Team that started Your Place Church and began volunteering as a greeter. She currently serves as the Executive Administrator and oversees all things business related as well as Life Groups, Growth Track, Hospitality and Guest Services.

Life Motto: Keep moving forward!

Three People I'd Like to Meet:

Oprah, to find out if she is really born again.

Anyone Jewish

Lisa Bevere

My Hero: Chris Hodges He is making a difference in Birmingham, Alabama and showing others how they can do the same where they are.

One of My Greatest Experiences with God: During my pregnancies and deliveries I believed God for specific circumstances and received them all.

Most people don't know about me: I was a flight attendant for Pan Am for 2 years and flew all over the world.

Favorite

Food: Seafood

Snack Food: Chocolate with almonds

Movie: Shining Through

Book: Zion Covenant series

TV Show: Once Upon a Time

Musical Artists: Britt Nicole

Actor: Matthew Goode

Season: Spring

Place in the World: Hilton Head, South Carolina

Place to Pray: shower

Recreational Activities/Hobbies: word and trivia games, reading, walking, movies

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Sports Team: Tulsa Hurricanes “Go Canes”

Sport: Scrabble If you play with me it is very competitive and that is the definition of a sport, right?

Least Favorite

Food: sauerkraut

Snack Food: Twinkies

Season: Winter

Place in the World: India I haven’t been there but I hate the smell of curry so it is a no go for me.