Meet our Staff
Meet our Staff
Founder & President
- (2003) B.A. in Communications, Boise State University
- (2004) Kanakuk Institute
- (2007) M.A. in Youth and Family Ministry, John Brown University
- (2012) Certified Centurion, Colson Center for Christian Worldview
- (2014) Certified Biblical Counselor, Association of Biblical Counselors.
Adam is extremely passionate about maximizing the potential within each and every individual that steps foot onto Link Year’s campus. He has been speaking across the Nation and World for the past 10 years showering his passion for Jesus upon others. He holds an active role in the teaching aspect of Link Year.
He is dreaming about raising a remnant of young leaders to change this nation for Christ. Aside from Link Year, Adam’s greatest passion in life is his family. First, his wife, Stephanie, and his sons Aiden and Anders.
“Some of us dream of doing great things for God, others wake up and do it!”
Vice President of Operations
- (2006) B.A. in Business Finance, Texas A&M
Adam Martin is Link Year’s VP of Operations. He helped start Link Year in its inaugural year and served as the VP of Operations for the first three years. In 2014, Adam took over as the Executive Director of AfterDark, an event which shares the Gospel on college campuses around the nation, through a concert and Joe White’s cross builder presentation until the Spring of 2017. He is excited to be back serving Link Year and discipling students. He is very happily married to his wife, Katlyn, and together they have two son’s, Trent and Truett, and a daughter, Tess.
Garet West
Men’s Director
- (2014) B.A. Mass Communications, Ouachita Baptist University
Garet was born in Bolivar, MO. Before joining the Link Year Team, Garet work for Kanakuk’s After Dark team! This allowed Garet to pursue his love of mentoring and equipping college students to impact the World for Christ.
Phil 3:8
Jordan Grant
Head Coach
- (2015) Link Year
- (2018) B.A. in Business, University of Central Arkansas
- (2020) M.B.A. University of Central Arkansas
Jordan was a student at Link Year in 2014. He went on to play college basketball at the University of Central Arkansas. He is extremely passionate about impacting young leaders as well as the game of basketball. The game of basketball has given him many opportunities and experiences he couldn’t imagine. He enjoys outlet of coaching in order to give those opportunities to other young players. He is married to his better half Caroline. They enjoy serving and leading the next generation to know more of Christ.
Stephanie Donyes
Spiritual Formations Director
- (2005) B.A. in Education, Ole Miss
- (2006) Kanakuk Institute
- (2014) Certified Biblical Counselor, Association of Biblical Counselors
Stephanie is defined by all who know her as someone who is filled with joy. She loves to shower that upon college aged students. In a world that is constantly trying to rob young women of that joy by selling them cultural lies, she loves discipling young women and pointing them back to the Cross. She believes the Cross is the only place we’ll ever find true joy and security.
As the Spiritual Formations Director, her role is primarily focused on nurturing growth and discipleship amongst the female Link Year students and staff. She leads Bible Studies with the women and assists in administrative needs. But above all, her biggest passion is being a wife to Adam and a mom to Aiden and Anders.
Anna Willis
Women’s Director
- (2016) Liberty University
- (2017) Kanakuk Institute
Anna is originally from Rocky Mount, Virginia and graduated from Liberty University in 2016. She studied Graphic Design in undergrad and then went on to the Kanakuk Institute to receive more training and equipping on how to disciple and teach teenage and college age girls. Anna has a passion for discipleship and a desire to see young adults succeed spiritually after leaving home. After her time at the Kanakuk Institute, Anna was hired as one of Link Year’s Campus Shepherds but is now serving them as Women’s Director.
Josh Mawhorr
Head Coach
- (2016) B.A. in Business Management from Indiana Wesleyan
- (2019) Northview LEADS Residency Graduate
Josh loves to walk alongside Link Year students as they desire to have a fuller understanding of who God is. His personal journey in understanding who God is happened through the game of basketball. Josh played college basketball at Indiana Wesleyan University and was fortunate enough to win the 2016 NAIA National Championship. He enjoyed the success he had on the court, but was most impacted by the culture of IAM3rd at Indiana Wesleyan. After completing a pastoral residency program in 2019 at Northview Church in Carmel, IN, he found his way back to the game of basketball and Branson coaching the Regional team here at Link Year.
His all-time favorite teammate is his fiancée Lindsay, who is on staff at the Kanakuk Institute. They enjoy investing into the lives of students at Link Year and The Kanakuk Institute.
Katie Gliebe
Administrative Assistant
- (2017) B.A. in Media & Culture, Miami University of Ohio
- (2018) Kanakuk Institute
Katie was born and raised in Delaware, Ohio and graduated from Miami University of Ohio in 2017. After finishing her undergraduate degree, Katie furthered her Biblical education at the Kanakuk Institute here in Branson, MO. Katie is passionate about discipleship and leading young women back to the Lord in all aspects of life. She has a huge heart for understanding and living out truth, and is eager to demonstrate that in her life. She has had the opportunity to serve as a Campus Shepherd with Link Year, and is now excited to serve the ministry in an administrative role.
Jesse Anne Lipscomb
Academic Coordinator
- (2013) Link Year
- (2017) B.P.S. in Dance, University of Memphis
- (2018) Kanakuk Institute
Jesse is originally from Memphis, TN and she earned her degree from the University of Memphis in 2017. After attending the Institute, it became clear that the Lord was calling her to return to Link Year. Jesse is passionate about helping the lost find their way to the Light, even when all they can see is darkness. She is both honoured and excited to part of a team as stellar as Link’s!
Tanner Cranford
Admissions Coordinator
- (2018) B.S. in Biology, Minor in Psychology, Columbia College
- (2019) Kanakuk Institute
Tanner grew up in Columbia, Missouri, where he attended Columbia College, and got his degree in Biology. He then attended the Kanakuk Institute with plans to attend dental school after, but during his time at the Kanakuk Institute, he fell in love with vocational ministry. After graduating, he worked as a Resident Director and Recruiter for Kanakuk K-Seven, while also serving as a Campus Shepherd, which allowed him to walk in his passions of discipleship, strategic thinking, and operations. He is excited about “hopping on the bus” in the role of Admissions Coordinator!