Leadership
Ricky Kennedy
“When I was about 5 or 6 my parents were divorced and I was going to church with my mom. I was in a Sunday school class and kind of had the hell scared out of me. I didn’t want hell and Jesus seemed like a better option. After that my parents got back together and we moved but didn’t go to church. So my thoughts of God was that He was grumpy and kind of didn’t like me but He had the keys to the good place. When I was in high school I started going to church and learned more about what Jesus did on the cross and what the gospel really was. God has continued to show me over the years more of who He is and the depths of the gospel. I was a youth director for 12 years and then came onboard with Citylight as a pastor.”
Ricky, Kristy, Carson, Colton, and Everly have been a part of South since 2018. When South launched as its own plant, Ricky came on to serve as one of the Co-lead pastors.
Alex Leyva
“In 2014 I’d had a friend reach out to me and invite me to Cru on campus. Through my time with Cru, I met some friends that were on the track team with me. I began to fake my faith, while attending Cru, church, and Bible studies through the rest of my college career. Through a Bible study at our church, encouragement from older men to read the gospel of Mark, and a book titled “Jesus is Greater than Religion” I realized who Jesus really is and how he had paid the price for my sin. By God’s grace, I was saved in July of 2015.”
Alex, Mariah, and their girls Eden and Ruah have been a part of Citylight South since 2018. When South launched as its own plant, Alex came on to serve as one of the Co-lead pastors.
Jason Hietbrink
“I grew up in a Christian home and trusted in Jesus at a young age. However, by the time I reached Junior High, I wanted nothing to do with God. I would say the first time in my life where I really decided I was going to follow Jesus was at a summer basketball camp in MN when I was 14 yrs old. Although, I will say that coming to trust in Jesus has been a lifelong endeavor. My hope is each year to come to trust Him more than I did the year prior – and I have a long way to go. What I love about Jesus is His absolute commitment to me. When I was lost, He was the One who came to find me. When I was hopeless in my sin, He became sin. And I love that He won’t settle for only part of me. He wants me to experience the fullness of joy which can only be found through unconditional surrender and devotion to Him, His glory, and His kingdom.”
Jason, Jenny, Tate, and Jayde have been a part of Citylight South since June of 2020.
Jeff Hirschbrunner
“As a family, we enjoy watching and playing sports, including golf and Husker sports. Both boys are baseball players, and I coached their teams for many years, creating many fun memories at the ballpark. I came to know the Lord in my early 20s. Understanding His sacrifice and unconditional grace has shaped me as a husband, father, and leader. I deeply appreciate His humble approach and how He loves people unconditionally. We strive to live out those same values as a family by showing love, inviting people into our lives and home, and serving where God calls us.”
Jeff, Salena, Michael and Zach have been a part of Citylight South since we first launched as a campus in 2018, and committed to South when we launched as our own church plant in 2020.
