"The Desert Rappers are a group created by Musb, Reel Spitt and the Golden One. From Southern California to Arizona the connection was made and the rest is history. They started to collaborate and created a group that the Desert had not heard before. Hip hop and Jesus Christ, a combination that cannot be stopped! You can find each individual artist doing his own thing, but when they come together they do it Desert style.

Shelli Haynes currently serves at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Rancho Cucamonga, CA as Director of Children's Ministry. After working for the past 15 years as Youth Minister to Junior High/ College students, Shelli is excited and scared to be focusing on a whole new area! Shelli has been married to Travis for the past 12 years and has two daughters, Megan (9) and Mandy (7). They all live in Orange County with their beautiful German Shepherd-Lab mix, Lucy and an assortment of other pets! Shelli is a BIG San Francisco sports teams fan, and the whole family loves soccer as well!! Shelli loves to play guitar, cook, play Wii, and speak to different groups about Jesus!

Nate is the President and Founder of Groundwork Ministries. He's also a crazy, former Youth Director just ask any of the youth at the churches where he served! Many people make comments that he fits right in with Jr. High kids even still! Nate grew up in a small town in Minnesota and graduated from Concordia University in St. Paul, MN. He served on a Youth Encounter team for a year before going into teaching and then the full time youth and worship ministry. He has been a worship leader and has been traveling the past few years with his family (wife and 7 boys) leading worship, VBS, youth events, children and family events, etc. all over the U.S. Nate is living the dream by hosting this retreat and, hopefully, many more to come. He'll be the one jumping during all the songs by the great bands here. You'll probably also see the McAvoys leading us in some worship as well!

Robin grew up...well, she calls MN home, but lived in 7 different towns and 5 States before she left for college. And Concordia is where she met Nate...ask him how many times he had to ask her out before she accepted! But she sure is glad she did! Seven boys later (yes, 7 BOYS) God has molded a ministry team within the McAvoy family. Robin has been on staff at churches in youth and worship ministry as well; in FL and AZ. When she's not making Nate's visions a reality, or changing diapers, or taxiing people around, she enjoys hanging at Starbucks.