Upon his retirement as a Navy Chaplain, Pastor Dave Peterson joined the staff of Coastal Church in Yorktown, as the Pastor of Biblical Counseling. During his time as a Chaplain, he saw the importance of a collaborative community for those who are called into a counseling ministry and developed a passion for developing such a community within biblical counseling. Dave is a member of ABC, IABC, and the BCA, and is currently pursuing certification with ACBC and a PhD in Biblical Counseling from Regent University.

As our Soul Care Coordinator Kara is the first person you will most likely have contact with when looking for counseling or a CARE group. She has her undergrad degree in Biblical Counseling from The Master’s University. She is working towards certification through Truth In Love Biblical Counseling Center so that she can be thoroughly equipped for every good work that the Lord has prepared for her beforehand.

Shalika Young received her Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and her Master’s degree in Business Administration. After serving many years in the aerospace industry, Shalika switched from problem-solving as an engineer to persuading people to hold fast to their confession of faith and trust in Jesus Christ. She currently serves the local church as a certified biblical counselor through the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC). Shalika has worked in many different counseling settings and has experience in one-on-one, family, marital, and group counseling. She also helps to equip the church to care for the hurting, anxious, depressed, abused, and marginalized. She incorporates a whole-person perspective in counseling: spiritual, mental, emotional, relational, physical, and financial. Shalika is especially passionate about serving leaders, helping them to persevere, guard against burnout, and continue to abide in Christ.

Maria Cagle is a certified ACBC counselor, she specializes in counseling young women and teen girls. She has been a faithful mentor and Student Ministries leader at Coastal for many years. If you can’t find her here serving with the youth or counseling young women, then you know she is on the field cheering on her daughter who plays college softball for Clemson.

Njiba Tirado was born in Ivory Coast and is originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo. She is a graduate of Regent University with a degree in Educational Leadership and a Master’s in Teaching from Christopher Newport University. Njiba is an educator at heart and enjoys seeing people's lives change as they grow in knowledge and godly wisdom. Njiba loves creating lifelong memories with her husband, children, and friends.

Has been a member of Coastal for 12 years and active in both the prayer ministry, student ministry, and a small group leader. She chose to become a biblical counselor because she believes it is what God has called her to do, and began equipping her for it almost 4 years ago. 2 Tim 3:16-17 tells us, “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work.” She experienced this Truth as she studied theology and the biblical counseling courses provided by Coastal. Having been made whole by the Holy Spirit as His Word addressed her own heart and mind has given her a passion to see other sisters and brothers in Christ walk in freedom.

Tito Tirado has nearly 30 years of ministry experience. Dr. Tirado has earned a Doctorate of Christian Philosophy from Florida Christian University and a Master’s in Divinity form Florida Theological Seminary. Though his expertise is recruiting, developing and deploying leaders; Tito also has a passion to help hurting people and spends a great deal of time doing Biblical Counseling. Currently he is pursuing a Biblical Counseling Certification through the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors. Helping others grow spiritually in anyway is what gets him fired up; he often says, “I exist to serve God by serving others."

Jordan Barnette is the Executive Director of Finance and Human Resources at Coastal Church and has worked with the church since 2014. Jordan received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Christopher Newport University and later his Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Liberty University. He has also received certifications in Human Resource Management from George Mason University. Jordan is a Certified Financial Coach with Ramsey Solutions. He leads Financial Peace University Classes at Coastal Church and has a passion for personal financial counseling.