Josh Holt

Josh graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2005 with a degree in Psychology. From 2005 – 2007, Josh worked as a Campus Minister with the Georgia Southern Christian Campus Fellowship. Josh arrived to help out the team in 2010 and is married to Rebekah. They have two children named Lilla Jane and Malachi.

Little known fact: I grew up in a small town known for its onions. Every year they have a big Onion Festival with plane shows and craft booths and such. The official mascot is Yumion, a giant overall-wearing-onion. I was once Yumion for the Vidalia Onion Festival.

When I grow up: I always wanted to be a veterinarian. I just thought that it meant you got to play with animals all day. Then I learned that it was more like being a doctor and decided against it.

Favourite holiday destination: I think it’d be great to stay in a little hut on a remote Indonesian island. The kind with a hammock for a bed and a view of other tiny islands. I’d catch my meals by spear fishing off the dock. No phones or TV, just island living.

Caleb Mallard

Caleb finished a degree in Theology in 2003, and since then has worked for a Church in Solihull as a youth worker and a pastor. He joined Canvas team part-time during that those years, but signed up full time in August of 2011. He is married to Kate. Caleb loves Birmingham almost as much as he loves life itself.

Little known fact: I was one of the S-Club Juniors. Not really. But I did watch their TV show when I was way too old for it.

When I grow up: Cartoonist for the Beano. Throw some puppets into the mix and I would have been pretty satisfied.

Favourite holiday destination: I’d like to go to one of those private islands where you are the only person on the island. Then I could play naked Robinson Crusoe.

Rebekah Holt

Rebekah graduated from Southern Polytechnic State University in 2004 with a degree in Textile Engineering. From 2004-2005 she worked at Georgia Tech Christian Campus Fellowship as an intern. She and Josh married in September of 2007 and have two awesome little kids. From October 2005 until November 2010, when she and Josh arrived in England, she worked for a work apparel company in the US.

Little known fact: I once dressed up as a singing elephant for Odyssey of the Mind.  I was playing Juliette set during the time period of Noah’s Ark.  My team made it to the world competition that year.

When I grow up: I really wanted to be an Epidemiologist working on level 5 diseases at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.  My goal in life was to find a cure for Ebola and other highly deadly diseases.  Obviously that didn’t happen…

Favourite holiday destination: Qingdao, China so that I can visit  friends that live there that I met through my previous job.  I would love to see the coast in that part of China and experience Chinese culture and life outside of Beijing.

Kalyn Reeves

Kalyn graduated from Point University in Atlanta, Georgia in May of 2011, where she earned a duel degree in Humanities and Biblical Studies. She spend a year as an exchange student at Canvas during her stint at Uni, and now coordinates and manages the exchangers here. Kalyn joined the Canvas team in January of 2012 and plans on staying her for many more years.

Little known fact: I played John Coffee in the Green Mile. Not. Although that movie really makes me cry. What most people probably don’t know about is that I really, really love Speghettio’s. They’re an American tradition for kids of all ages, and as far as comfort foods go, its on the top shelf. My favourite ones are the cans with franks in it that I can scoop up with ready salted crisps. Yum Yum!

When I grow up: When I was little, I really wanted to grow up to be a weather girl. Mostly just because that meant I got to be on TV everyday, not because I cared about meteorology. I also went through a phase where I really wanted to live in Ohio, drive a Ford Taurus and be an elementary school art teacher with a favourite sparkly broach to wear with my outfit everyday.

Favourite holiday destination: Give me a beach with white sand to sink my toes into. I just love the beach, and it’s always a good holiday when I come back with double the amount of freckles on my nose. I’ve been to loads of beaches, so any of them will do as long as the sun is shining and Jimmy Buffet is playing in the background.

Joseph Piette

Joseph graduated from Point University in the spring of 2010 with a degree in Business Management. From May of 2010 to March of 2012, he worked in Student Development at Point, running student life activities and managing the Career Center for the Uni. He joined the Canvas team in March of 2012, and is enjoying life in the UK.

Little known fact: Once upon a time, in a land far far away called America, I made a swimming pool out of a pickup truck, got shot in the ear by a roman candle firework, and stole a goat... all in one night.

When I grow up: I WILL be a cowboy. For real. What could be better than riding around on a horse with a gun in the middle of nowhere?! I’ve been told that nobody does that anymore, but I don’t believe it.

Favourite holiday destination: I am pretty in to hiking, camping, climbing, and caving. Anywhere that I can get away and feel like a man is an ideal spot for me. I do like the beach too though.

Abby graduated in 2010 from Point University in Atlanta, Georgia. She worked as a nanny for the last two years since graduation and also helped Launch a campus ministry in Newnan, Georgia. Her and Derrik have been married since 2009. They joined the Canvas Team in January, 2013.

Little known fact: I have a really hard time with things that are awkward (like talent shows when people DON’T have talent). To the point where I either get hives or have to leave. SO I usually avoid or just walk out of ANYTHING that might be awkward. Which often creates more awkwardness for everyone around. Yeah, I am a bit awkward….

When I grow up: I wanted to be a lawyer. I am very good at arguing a side whether I believe it or not, just to prove a point. It made for being pretty friendless so I gave this up :)

 Favourite holiday destination: Destin, FL, or any beach really, The calm of laying in the sun or running on the beach is one thing I look forward to each year.

Jenna McKeer (intern)

Jenna recently graduated from the University of Birmingham with a degree in Biological Sciences. She has been part of the Canvas community for the past 2 years as a student and last summer took part in Canvas’ Kenya trip. She also loves games… a lot.

Little known fact: At the age of 11 I had my own “cupboard under the stairs.” It was packed full with trunks of Harry Potter toys, books, shelves of home-made potions and even a toy baby Norbert dragon that would occasionally sneeze… 11 years later and I’ve had to move into a bigger cupboard…

When I grow up: Ideally I would like to be paid to travel all over the world, scuba diving, taking photos of the beautiful coral reefs, sleeping in hammocks at night and eating lots of food – however I’m pretty sure this job doesn’t exist, so I’d love to do anything in the field of Conservation biology.

Favourite holiday destination: This is tricky but I would have to say somewhere in the French Polynesia… maybe Bora Bora, staying in one of those wooden beach huts stood on stilts in the sea, paradise!

Tom Gallant (intern)

Tom recently graduated from the University of Birmingham, where he was very involved in the Canvas community as a student. He is a sports fanatic and especially adores kayaking, rock climbing, scuba diving, and obviously football. If there was a degree in FIFA, Tom would have got a 1^st.

Little known fact:  I once got punched in the ear by a man in a Jeep. He came off worse.

When I grow up:  I would absolutely love to be a scuba instructor in Australia or Jamaica.

Favourite holiday destination:  Tough one, gonna have to say Tuscany (Italy); they have great food, a b-e-a-utiful country, and Mario Balotelli.

Jonathan Arnold (intern)

Jonathan is a 2011 graduate of Truman State University where he received a degree in Business Administration. While there, he was actively involved in a “Canvas-Like” community. After graduation, Jonathan moved to Kansas City, Missouri where he worked as a paralegal at a small environmental law firm. He joined the team at Canvas in January 2013 and is loving life in Birmingham.

Little known fact: I was such a band and choir geek growing up that I went to music camp…not once, not twice…but for 8 summers! No matter what you might think, it was really awesome. Also, I’m an Eagle Scout. Let me know if you need someone to play, i mean, start a fire.

When I grow up: As a little kid, I liked being around people so much that a family friend famously quipped, “He’s either gonna be a politician or a preacher.” I don’t honestly think I’m headed in either of those directions, but I do want to go to law school after I get back to the States. My dad’s an attorney, so I guess I’m following in his footsteps.

Favourite holiday destination: That’s a pretty tough question for me, because I love seeing the natural wonders of the world (e.g. the Grand Canyon), but I also love history (e.g. DC, Philly, London). I’m gonna go with Italy, because it’s got lots of mountains, beaches, and history. The best of both worlds, as my personal hero Miley Cyrus would say.