This speaker summary was initially published in SSP’s 2025 annual newsletter.
1970s: Revs. Floyd & Janet McKeithen
Floyd brought the Appalachian Service Project to California as a satellite operation in 1975, establishing the Sierra Service Project.
“That became an important center for [Sierra Service] Project: to accept folks right where they are, just the way they are. It taught us a lesson of being like Christ [and] learning from others – from other cultures; from other economic standpoints. Accepting folks is so important to be able to articulate the gospel in the work of our hands and not just our mouths.”
1980s: Rev. Jonathan Chute
Jonathan served on summer staff and as SSP’s Director in the early 1980s, and as president of the board for several years. In 2025, Jonathan volunteered with Rolling Hills UMC.
“For all of the differences between [the early years] and our time today, I came away knowing that SSP still works. It still opens eyes, ears, hearts, and minds; it still teaches skills and builds relationships, encouraging the young people at the original heart of Rev. “Tex” Evans’ vision to love one another with no strings attached.”
1990s: Rev. Paige Eaves
Paige was SSP’s first female Executive Director and opened the first site in Arizona in 1994.
“We learned that leadership means knowing when to pivot, and sometimes means stepping out in faith. [..] SSP has always been a sacred training ground. The intensity of the experience gives us a chance for our gifts to emerge.”
2000s: Rick Eaton
Rick and Toni Eaton volunteered as adult counselors before jointly assuming leadership of SSP in 2001.
“We experimented a lot in those days – some things worked, and some didn’t. We had the support of our board, donors, and church community, and that culture of evolution, innovation, and experimentation is what really makes SSP able to thrive [..] during this rapidly changing time.”
2010s: Dr. Silver Nez-Perry
Silver has been a community liaison since 2014, when he saw SSP building in the Navajo Nation, and serves on SSP’s Board of Directors.
“I started making weekly visits — I wanted them to understand where they were at, our culture, our lifestyle, how we live on the reservation. I then became a community liaison.”
Hear Silver’s message from elders in Diné (Navajo language) and full speech:
2020s: Dani Berg
Dani first volunteered with SSP in 2018, served as a youth board member in 2022, and as a summer staff member in 2024.
“Even through change, the essence of SSP is unwavering. A new era of traditions and goals does not indicate the loss of SSP’s core: community, respect, education, service, and love are all still at the center of all that we do.”
2025: Ken Wilson
Ken served on summer staff and went on to participate in three Sacramento Sustainability Academy (SSA) cohorts.
“SSA captures the spirit of SSP by empowering youth and young adults in stewardship of community relationships and the environment. People are free to come as they are, with or without experience, and SSP is a learning environment that fosters interest and purpose within everyone’s hearts.”
Editor’s Note: Visit SSP’s 50th Celebration YouTube playlist to get to know these speakers better, watch 50th Day of Service recaps, and see full-length recordings from Floyd, Janet, and Jonathan.