Leadership
Erin Gamboa
Youth Pastor
Pastor Erin was born and raised in San Juan County, New Mexico! She has attended The Oasis since she was in elementary school! The Oasis is home for her, having attended youth ministry at The Oasis and going through many youth pastors, group names and seasons.
Erin graduated from Farmington High School in 2019. She volunteered as the main leader for Collide Youth for a year, while there was no on staff youth pastor, until she was hired in April 2020. Erin started youth pastoring at 19 years old and has been blessed by the anointing God has put on her life. Pastor Erin continues her educational and pastoral journey along with her work.
Pastor Erin believes in the youth. She is creative, committed and believes the youth should be empowered to live a life of spiritual cost and whole heartedness. Collide Youth is a strong example of being the hands and feet of Jesus and Pastor Erin knows personal character is destiny so living life as an example for all students is vital.
Erin loves her family and is often never without her two sidekicks, Devyn and Felicity, whom both volunteer fervently alongside her. She recognizes we stand on the shoulders of the people before us and thinks it’s important to acknowledge her family, land and God.
Garrett Cobbs
Worship Pastor
IIIIIn west Philadelphia born and raised, on the playground is where I spent most of my… kidding hahaha
I was actually born in Jessup, Georgia to my parents who were Pastors.
Feeling God calling them to ministry somewhere else, they prayed and were offered an opportunity that moved our family of 4 by train to Las Vegas, NV.
It’s in Vegas that I was raised, served in church, trained for ministry under then Youth Pastors, Jeremy & Lindsey Bosma via internship. Best of all, it’s where I met then married my high school sweetheart, Stephanie Cobbs (aka wifey, aka Babeasauras Rex). We have been married since 2015 and have 2 children, both named after Batman characters: Greyson and Ivy. We also have 2 dauggers (dog daughters) in Lucy Liu Cobbs the St Bernard who is 16yrs old and Ember Jane Cobbs the brindle Pit who is 13yrs old.
In the middle of a hard season, we were offered the opportunity to move to New Mexico and ended up doing what my parents did. We sold very close to all of our possessions, packed up, and left Las Vegas. From living in our grandparent’s basement, to a home to rent, to a home to own; we’ve seen God orchestrating our lives in a wonderfully, challenging but rewarding way. God is the reason why I’m here at The Oasis. Literally, He called me to come here while I was in the middle of another church’s service mid attempt to find a home church for my family. When God says go, you go. My family is proof of what trusting God will do. I myself am proof that love, grace, and mercy abound in The Father.
As an ex-prodigal who has experienced God’s forgiveness and astounding love, God cultivated a heart in me for other prodigal sons and daughters. I want to see them return home. I want those who never knew a home, to find a home in The Father. In finding that home, I want His children to worship Him, not for what He does, but for who He is. He is HOLY and because of that He is GOOD. I don’t deserve His goodness, but He’s so holy, that he pours His goodness on my family and I without measure.
I’m here to worship my Father and refine my walk with Him. I pray that as you’re encouraged to do so with me, that you will experience true liberation in His presence. We were once slaves to sin, but thank God for Jesus Christ our Lord, our Savior!
Ashton Ballard
Children’s Pastor
Ashton and her husband Jeremy have three beautiful children who are all full of life and were true miracles sent from the Lord. They are all glad to call The Oasis home and have felt welcomed from the start when they began attending near the end of 2024.
Ashton was born and raised in the Farmington, NM area. She grew up in church at Bloomfield Assembly of God where she found Jesus and chose to serve Him at a young age. She graduated from Aztec High School in 2008 where she was involved in Playmakers, Aztec’s drama team. Shortly after graduating, she met Jeremy, and they were married on April 18, 2009. They have lived in New Mexico, Texas and Missouri. Though life has thrown her a curve ball or two, Ashton has been eternally thankful to have her faith in the Lord to fall back on.
Ashton has been involved in children’s ministry since she was in Youth. She tries to live by her favorite memory verse, “Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in faith, in love and in purity.” 1Timothy 4:12. She loves serving others and sharing the love of Jesus with those around her.
A few things that bring Ashton joy are her family, her garden and animals, a nice cup of coffee, admiring the beauty that God blesses us with in nature, spending time with friends, studying the Word of God, and the occasional afternoon nap.
Candace Krestel
Executive Assistant
Candace was born and raised right here in Farmington, NM. She has attended The Oasis since 1983 and grew up as a PK with her dad serving as Worship Pastor for most of her life. She was dedicated, saved, baptized, married, and had her own child dedicated at this church. She has served on the worship team for more than 25 years and has worked as Executive Administrator on more than one occasion. The Oasis is truly home and she is glad to serve in the giftings God has given her.
She is a graduate of Farmington High School, San Juan College, and New Mexico Highlands University. Instead of moving away to work on her Bachelor’s degree, she found that she could do that through one of the state university programs through SJC. In 2008, she graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration.
Candace met her husband, Clint, in 2003 and they married one year later in 2004. In 2008, they welcomed their daughter, Lydia. And in 2016, they adopted their one and only dog, Polo. They enjoy exploring God’s creation together and especially the Four Corners and the Southwest. Some of their favorite places to visit are Chicago (Clint’s hometown), the Grand Canyon (Candace’s favorite), and Hawaii (Lydia’s favorite).
“For the Lord is a great God, a great King above all gods. He holds in his hands the depths of the earth and the mightiest mountains.” Psalms 95:4
Jenaya Gust
Administrative Assistant / Graphics Manager
Jenaya grew up in beautiful Wenatchee, WA and graduated from Central Washington University with a BFA, specializing in Graphic Design. After College she lived in Eastern Tennessee, Northern Colorado, and East Massachusetts before moving to Farmington in 2023 to take care of her grandparents.
Her walk with faith started very early, as she remembers singing “Jesus loves me” as a child. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church. Every summer of her youth she would go to Church Camp that would ignite that love for God. She spent two full summers working at Lutherwood. Her first summer in the kitchen and second summer as part of the traveling VBS team as a counselor. Through mopping floors, set-up/cleaning of many VBS sets, building campfires she learned to be a servant leader. Those two summers set the foundation for her array of skills and knowing just how much God is truly with her wherever she goes. “I AM with you ALWYAS” -Matthew 28:20
She has a beloved Pomeranian mix named Misha. She appreciates a road trip, loves the mountains and beach, enjoys puzzles/board games and playing cards, listening to music, and cooking/ baking new recipes.
Jenaya has a passion to create art! Mixed media is her favorite: taking junk and making it into something beautiful. Everything from seaglass art, painting, digital graphics, collage, and more. Check out her art at: jenayagust.carbonmade.com/
"Your profession is not what brings home your paycheck. Your profession is what you were put on earth to do. With such passion and such intensity, that it becomes spiritual in calling." -- Vincent Van Gogh
Shawn Bedonie Facilities Director
Shawn was born and raised in Cameron, Arizona. He is the oldest with three little sisters. He moved to Shiprock, NM, shortly after graduating high school, where he started his career path of working with troubled youth. During this time, he met the beautiful, love of his life, Lynn Bedonie and eventually married in 2005. After 10 years working with troubled adults at Four Winds Treatment Center, he felt the tug at his heart to continue working with troubled youth, He started his career with San Juan County as a Juvenile Corrections Officer.
Shawn and his wife have been attending The Oasis since 2016 and was baptized in May of 2021. Shawn has a heart for people. He is always willing to help where needed. He’s a jack of all trades, enjoys learning new things and telling others about Jesus!
On his off days, Shawn loves to fish, golf, build and fix things, be in the wilderness, hike, grill, and haul wood…the list is endless. But most of all, he loves to spend time with his wife.
Robert Mitchell Sanchez
Facilities Custodian
Robert Mitchell Sanchez was born and raised in Farmington, NM. He is born #3 from his mom and #5 from his dad. Being that his older half brother and sister were grownup and out of the house while he was young, he grew up in a house with 2 older sisters and 1 younger. His mom and dad separated at a young age and his mom later met a man and gained 3 more siblings (2 sisters and a brother). Though they weren't married long, he still holds dear to those he calls his family. Family is everything!
Growing up in Sunday school at First Baptist Church Farmington, he learned the miracles of Jesus Christ and the love God has for him at a young age. He will never forget his Sunday school teachers and the impact they had on his life and the start of his walk with Jesus. Into his youth, he and his family started attending New Life Farmington. But He found himself in a dark place and dropped out of high school and quit going to church. Though there were many wrong roads he took in life and years of not having a home church, he always knew the power of prayer and that God was with him no matter how far he strayed. He often found himself preaching the gospel to his drunken friends even if he wasn't so sober himself.
He worked many jobs, all construction or ranch based. He learned and developed the skills he has today as a handyman. He took one job in desperate times and was a carhop/manager at a local Sonic. There he met a girl and they would be together for 9 years and have 4 children: Fancy, Jeremiah, Anthony, and Adelia. Even though they separated in 2025, his kids are his world. It is his honor and one of the greatest gifts he could give them to be able to introduce them to Jesus.
He came to The Oasis with a broken story/heart, but instantly felt the love of the people and the presence of the Holy Spirit. In his various work through life he was always told there's a wrong way and a right way, no matter what you're doing. And the right way is to do it with all your heart. He has always took pride in his work, from building houses to changing a lightbulb. This job is no different. He has a big heart and will help anyone if asked.
In his free time, he loves to spend time with his kids, run the hills like a wild animal, hunt, fish, and generally just anything to do with the outdoors. "A man can be hard to find in the mountains. You're welcome by my fire anytime." is a favorite movie quote of his. If there's anything you take from his story, family is everything and no matter how far life choices lead you astray, God is more powerful than anything going on in your life. We just have to take that step and let Him in.