Foundry Staff
FSM Team Leader
University of Mobile is where my life was completely changed! At the University, I spent most of my time on the soccer field with the men's soccer team. For the first time in my life God had surrounded me with friends my age that loved Jesus Christ! I grew up right outside of Meridian, MS where a man by the name of Andy Murry invested greatly in my life as a high school student. My life even today is a testimony of his love and passion for students.
About the time that soccer began to consume my life, another man began to invest in me. His name is Andy Neely. I began working with junior high students in Mobile, Alabama in 2002 and there was no turning back! Another major stone in the foundation of my life are Fuge camps. I spent five summers across the states working for Centrifuge as a Bible study leader, Rec Director, as well as Camp Director. Nothing like given the opportunity to lead 27 staffers to dive into the lives of students all summer long! I love soccer, riding in my jeep, hiking, days on the lake, and spending time with my small group! I am 30-years-old and I believe that Jesus Christ is the way the truth and the life. I was happily married to Ellen Staggs on Dec. 12, 2009.
Women's Director, the Foundry
I grew up in Kansas City, Kansas. "There's no place like home..." I was actually born a California girl but moved when I was one. I grew up with my amazing parents, Doug and Cindy, and two little sisters, Brittany and Ashley. I grew up knowing of God, but began a personal relationship with Him and gave my life over to Him in baptism in 7th grade after one of my first retreats. The youth group was my safe haven and the source of my closest friends growing up. It was in this place I was truly accepted for who I was, gained truth about who God was, and had godly mentors to lead me.
I attended Lipscomb University, in Nashville, TN, where I played collegiate soccer and majored in Exercise Science. I spent my summers working for Kanakuk Kamps, Christian Athletic Camps in Branson, MO. Just out of college, I worked in several fitness centers and coached soccer for a couple teams. I’ve been a part of a lot of soccer teams, but in 2006 I met my teammate for life! Thanks to one of my best friends Amy Stroup, who introduced me to her brother, I am happily married to Zack Stroup. Zack and I shared life together for two years while involved in FSM and Inversion at Fellowship, and then we were happily married, Aug. 30th, 2008 in Nashville, TN. Best day of my life!
Through all of this, my desire and heart has always been in working with students, wherever they may be. I came to Fellowship right after college to carry on relationships with previous campers, be involved with an authentic student ministry, and be a part of an incredible young adult’s ministry. After several months volunteering as an FSM leader, God graciously opened the door for me to join the full-time staff in Aug. 2006. I worked with The Mix girls for a year and have been the Foundry Women’s Director since 2007.
FSM Program Director
Chris Wheeler passionately communicates the truths of God’s Kingdom in fresh, simple and creative ways. His zest for life, zany caricatures, and living biblical monologues make the Bible come to life. Add to this his various sound effects and beat-box skills and you have a wild-haired people-magnet creating a memorable environment for the teaching of God’s Word.
Wheeler, as his friends call him, has a personal life message of grace that is inspired by his own journey through the spiritual bondage of legalism. Though his relationship with Jesus began when he was five years old, he often felt like God was somehow disappointed in his performance and that he could never quite be good enough for God. Through his relationship with his wife Lindsey, the encouragement of his friends, and God’s relentless pursuit of him, Wheeler’s eyes were opened to inexhaustible grace. Today, Wheeler wants people to know just how much God loves them and desires a relationship with them. Christianity is far more than another religion; it is the adventure of being a “little-Christ.” With energy, emotion, and deep conviction, Wheeler challenges people to become who God made them to be.
According to Wheeler, his wife Lindsey is the greatest woman on the planet and undoubtedly his best friend. In October of 2008 Chris and Lindsey welcomed their baby girl, Eliana Hope home from Guatemala! Eliana just turned two years old and is the perfect combination of her Dad’s silliness and her Momma’s sass! Chris and Lindsey plan to start their second adoption soon!
Wheeler’s favorite quote is by missionary martyr Jim Elliot, “Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God.”
Chris Wheeler graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in Bible and a minor in family psychology. His ministry experience includes six summers at Kanakuk Kamps (K-7), attending the Focus on the Family Institute in Colorado Springs, CO, serving as Student Minister with Cleburne Bible Church in Cleburne, TX, and speaking at Girls of Grace and Brio Conferences. Wheeler is currently the Student Ministry Director of Programs for Fellowship Bible Church, Brentwood, TN.
FSM Worship Pastor
I was born on February the 4th in Dallas, Texas and I grew up just north of there in Richardson Texas. I'm 43 years old and ever since I can remember, I have had a passion for music. Everything turned into a guitar in my hands …tennis rackets, baseball bats and sticks, whatever. God planted that seed before he formed the earth. My translation of that passion was that I would become this rock star someday. God’s plan, however, was otherwise. I graduated from The Art Institute Of Dallas in 1991. I was working at a studio in Dallas when I discovered I had a cyst the size of a golf ball in my middle ear that needed to come out yesterday. Although I accepted Christ in the seventh grade, I neglected the relationship I had with Christ up until I was faced with this possible life-threatening surgery. God used that surgery as a wake up call for me and caused me to take a look at the direction I was taking my life. I had to quit engineering due to the loss of hearing that occurred as a result of my surgery.
Through a series of events, I ended up at a Christian Camp in Tyler, TX, working as a pool-cleaning guy. I spent the next five years there learning and growing in my faith and restoring the relationship I had with my Savior. I committed my passion to music to Christ after that surgery.
I moved to Nashville after getting married to Amy in the spring of 1995. After being invited by J.Mac Brown, Amy and I first visited Fellowship Bible Church back in 1997 and never looked back. Although this is my “job”, this is my dream. I love working with the students in FSM and serving as their worship pastor is a joy and a privilege. I thank God every day for everything He is to me. He truly is worthy of our praise.
