CentriKid Camps
A summer camp for 2nd–6th graders to experience the time of their lives and learn more about the message of Jesus Christ!
CentriKid Camps
A summer camp for 2nd–6th graders to experience the time of their lives and learn more about the message of Jesus Christ!
Alli started working camp in 2012, serving as a Bible Study Staffer and an Assistant Director. She graduated from Carson Newman University in 2014 with a degree in Nutrition and Dietetics. She joined the office team in 2016, and serves as the content editor for Bible Study, oversees church communication, and trains our Office Directors. Alli and her husband welcomed their first baby girl in summer of 2020!
MICHEAL WALLEYMicheal has been with CentriKid since 2011 where he has served as a camp actor, Camp Director, and Camp Pastor. He’s a graduate of Mississippi College, and currently lives in Nashville with his wife, Anne Marie, and their dachshund, Edley (who is named after their favorite BBQ restaurant). Micheal is an actor, a writer, and a creative producer on the Camps Creative team.
TIFFANY FRANCISTiffany has been with Lifeway since 2010 and joined the CentriKid team in 2014. She graduated from Georgetown College with a degree in communication and media studies and received her master’s degree from Murray State. Tiffany loves the camp store and trains the Financial Directors. Fun Fact: In high school, Tiffany was the President of FFA!
JEREMY ECHOLSJE loves summer camp ministry. He studied business at Louisiana College and received an MDIV at SWBTS. He started as a camper and then served as a coach and Camp Director with Crosspoint Christian Sports Camps. In 2005, he began full-time in the CentriKid office at Lifeway. JE met his wife Emily when they served on camp staff together and they love spending time with their daughter!
Amy started working Lifeway camps in 1999 and served for 4 summers as Assistant Director and Director for Crosspoint Sports Camps. She graduated from Union University with a degree in English. She has been camper, staffer, parent and Group Leader for Lifeway Camps and returned to the office team this past April to serve as an Event Coordinator. Amy and her husband have three children (15, 10, 7)
Henry joined the CentriKid family in 2008, serving as a summer staffer, Production Director, Camp Pastor, and Camp Director. He served on the CentriKid HQ team from 2012-2016, and returned in 2022. During the interim, Henry served for 5 years as a Student and Family Pastor at a church in the western suburbs of Chicago, and he served his family for 2 years as a stay-at-home dad. Henry received both his undergraduate and master’s degrees from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in North Carolina. He and his wife, Amy, have three young children.
Kayla started working camp in 2018, serving as a Bible Study Staffer, Store Manager, and Financial Director. She graduated from the University of South Florida with an undergraduate degree in Spanish and Applied Linguistics and a master’s degree in Applied Linguistics and TESL. She grew up in the Tampa Bay area and loves to cheer for the TB Lighting, Bucs, and Rays! Fun Fact: Kayla also goes by Figgy, a fun camp nickname based off of her last name!
My hope is to come alongside those living in and those curious about the story of God by helping them navigate life’s challenges in a rapidly changing world, so they can live the story they were designed to live.” — Gary
Gary and his wife, Johni, moved into Nashville 20 years ago with a heart for those without Christ and the desire to be engaged in the movement of God in Urban Nashville. Today, they live in downtown Nashville. They have two daughters McKenna (23) and Story (19). They love the Urban community and have enjoyed getting to know the stories behind the owners and customers of local coffee shops, restaurants, and small business in which they interact with on a regular basis. Gary is serving as Pastor of Urban Mission with Nashville First Baptist and is the Fellowship on Broadway teaching pastor. (A Worship gathering with Nashville First.) Gary also works with Apartment Life, a faith based non-profit and is a speaker and coach.
Tyler English serves as the Kid’s Pastor at the Summit Church in Raleigh. He has a beautiful wife, Sheena, and two beautiful girls Skylar (6) and Evy (2). We love day trips to the beach, dance parties in the living room, and overall just having a good time. Tyler enjoys fishing when he has a day off. Tyler loves everything about camp and loves the opportunity to teach the gospel in a way anyone can understand it and this is his 3rd summer being a camp pastor at CentriKid.
Joshua Terry is the youth minister at Fairview Baptist Church in Coushatta, LA. He is happily married to Rachel Terry (just over a year), and has been serving at Fairview Baptist Church for 3 years. Josh has participated and worked at many different camps across the country and loves working with students to help them see and understand what Jesus had done for them and wants to do in them.
My name is Gus Pacheco, and I am one of the pastors at the Summit Church in Durham, North Carolina. I have been a part of CentriKid camps since 2009 and have felt the call to ministry while working as a camp staffer. I have been married for 10 years and have two boys, ages 6 and 4. I am excited to serve as a camp pastor again this summer and see what the Lord has in store!
Hi all! My name is Devin Skinner and I’m pumped to be serving as Camp Pastor this summer! I currently live in Anderson, SC with my lovely wife, Molly, our cat, Nugget, and our dog, Elton! My wife and I have both worked CentriKid which is where we actually met! I work as a middle school math teacher and a coach! In my spare time, I love playing pickleball, tennis, run, and anything else that’s active! I’m looking forward to see what God is going to do this summer at CentriKid!
Becca Bradley lives in Franklin, TN where she works as a full-time musician. When she’s not serving as the worship leader at Christ Community Church, you can find her writing and recording music of her own. Becca is also an accomplished cellist and has toured with artists such as Lauren Daigle, Michael W. Smith, Big Daddy Weave and more. In her free time, Becca enjoys game nights and hiking with her dog, Reina. Last summer was Becca’s first working with CentriKid, and she’s excited to be back!
Robbie Alderman has been leading worship and traveling with his band for ten years. Most of those years were with FUGE camps but last Summer, the door opened to begin working with CentriKid and we are never turning back. After adopting his three daughters from Taiwan in 2020, Robbie has recognized his desire to lead worship for the younger generation and point them to Jesus at their most formidable years. He resides in Nashville with his wife Savannah and their three daughters Evie, Lucy, and Ava Grace.
Patrick and Molly have been making music together for 15+ years. After college, they started a band and toured the country full-time for almost five years. Then, they started having children, so they scaled back a bit to part-time songwriting, touring and recording. They now have five sons and serve as worship leaders at their home church in central Florida. Even though they now have to hire a babysitter to fit songwriting, recording, and touring into their lives, they make it work, by God’s grace! They love the unique blend of creative expression, rich theology, and raw honesty involved in songwriting. They love touring because they love to meet new people. They love to lead musical worship because they love music and they’re thrilled by the privilege of helping God’s people open their hearts to Him in praise. Let’s have a conversation – we’d love to meet you!
Landon Tucker
Hi my name is Connor Seay! I am a third grade teacher in Spartanburg, SC. I have a passion for working with students and children. I was a staffer at CentriKid for three summers where I got to travel across the country sharing the gospel! I am excited to be a part of CentriKid again serving as a camp pastor! I cannot wait to see what God has in store for this summer!
Chris Shelton serves as Pastor of Local Missions for Westover Church in Greensboro, NC. Over his 20+ years of ministry, Chris has served in various pastoral roles. Chris has served as a Camp Pastor with Lifeway Camps since 2005. His wife, Molly, is a former camp staffer. Together, they have four children – all of whom love camp! The Shelton’s enjoy frequent trips to the mountains and beaches of North Carolina. They are Tar Heel fans who love sports, good food, and ’neighboring!’
Ethan has a passion for reaching the next generation for Christ. Young people can do great things for the Kingdom, and Ethan loves to invest in those people to help them grow in Christ. Ethan has served in churches throughout middle and west Tennessee. He currently serves as the Pastor of Students and Young Adults at First Baptist Church of Somerville, TN. Ethan is married to his wife Ariella, and they have the cutest daughter in the world, Lydia Grace.
Jared is the Lead Pastor at Plymouth Park Baptist Church and been working in ministry for over a decade. He worked 3 summers for FUGE Camps while in college. Jared is married to Kandace, who is a former CentriKid staffer, and together they have two sons. Jared enjoys good BBQ (especially when he gets to make it), the University of Alabama, and a round of disc golf.
Matt Aldridge is currently the Pastor of Students at North Glencoe Baptist church in Gadsden, Alabama. He has served in Student and family Ministry since 2014 and has spent many summers with CentriKid as part of the worship band or as camp pastor. Matt is newly married to his wife Jessie and they spend most of their free time with their dog Wintson! When Matt isn’t speaking or leading worship, you can probably catch him watching the the Alabama Crimson Tide, Atlanta Braves, or the Baltimore Ravens.
My name is Chloe Montgomery and I just graduated from California Baptist University with my degree in Anthropology and Christian Behavioral Science. This is my first year leading worship for CentriKid, and I am so excited to make a joyful noise to the Lord with everyone! I love worshiping God through music, making friends, being in nature, and being at camp, and I cannot wait for this summer!
Heather Todd is an elementary school teacher in Marshall County and serves at Community Church Oxford as a member of the worship team and with the children’s ministry. Heather has been an adult leader at with her church for four years here at Timber Creek and is excited for the opportunity to lead worship this year!
Jon Merryman serves as the Director of Alumni Relations and the Ouachita Student Foundation at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas – his alma mater. He has served at Ouachita for 10 years and has 20+ years of church staff and volunteer children’s ministry and discipleship experience. Jon served as one of the first two camp pastors for CentriKid in 2001 and still serves a couple of cycles each summer. Jon and his wife Emily have one son, Dennis, whom they adopted from Moldova in 2008, and two schnauzers — Maisie and Milton.
Kyle Scarlett serves as the Family Discipleship Pastor at Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC. He has served in churches in Virginia, California, and North Carolina for almost 20 years. He has been serving as a CK Camp Pastor since 2016. He and his wife, Kerri, have five daughters. Kyle enjoys adventurous food choices, traveling, and spending time with his family.
James (“Old Guy”) Jackson has been the lead pastor of Glynwood Baptist Church in Prattville, Alabama since 2017. Prior to moving to Prattville, he worked at Lifeway, and was part of the team that first dreamed up CentriKid way back in 1998. He has served as a CentriKid pastor since 2013. James, and his wife Trish, have two adult sons and one grandson, in addition to, two cats and an extremely hyper Labradoodle.
Jeremy is the Lifeway Kids Ministry Publishing Manager for VBS and Kids Discipleship resources. Before coming to Lifeway, he has been active in local church ministry for nearly 20 years in Tennessee, Texas, and Alabama. Jeremy loves kids camp and has been involved with CentriKid as a kids pastor, church volunteer, and camp pastor for several years. A Middle Tennessee native, he and his family live in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Hi my name is Connor Seay! I am a third grade teacher in Spartanburg, SC. I have a passion for working with students and children. I was a staffer at CentriKid for three summers where I got to travel across the country sharing the gospel! I am excited to be a part of CentriKid again serving as a camp pastor! I cannot wait to see what God has in store for this summer!
Garrett served as a CentriKid Worship Leader in 2021 and is now serving as an intern with Travis Avenue BaptistChurch in the Worship ministry. Jeffrey Dickson is the Ministry of Contemporary Worship at Travis Avenue. This will be their first summer to lead together in CentriKid Worship.
Zach and Drew met in college at Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, OK. They started to lead worship at the BCM on campus in 2012 and have led on and off since. Zach is married to his wife Brittney and they are currently living in Nashville, TN. Drew is married to his wife Kristin and they have a daughter, Gentry. They currently live in the OKC area. This is their 2nd year in a row leading at Centrikid!
Austin Miller Band is a group based out of the Carolinas that formed in 2018. Known for their high energy, and passion, AMB constantly seeks to point others to Christ through their music and lives. Seeking to tear down the divide that seems to have been made between the stage and the seats, AMB can be found all over camp with students and their leaders. They want to get to know you, your story, and what God is doing in your life. Frontman, Austin Miller, serves as Worship & Ministries Coordinator at Hope Community Church in Shelby, NC. He understands the importance of student ministry and desires to see students experience the freedom that comes in Christ.
Jonathan & Emily can’t wait to start their 7th summer with CentriKid! They are full-time singer-songwriters and worship leaders based out of Nashville, TN. They have a passion for creating music rooted in and filled with the Word as a powerful resource for personal and corporate worship, family worship, scripture memory, and everyday encouragement in the lives of believers. Over the past 10 years, they’ve released 7 albums and travel the country with their three kids (Judah, June and Milo) sharing their songs and leading worship in hopes of encouraging the body of Christ to see and love Jesus more through the gift of His Word. They are also contracted songwriters with Lifeway Kids and have written several songs for “The Gospel Project” curriculum as well as CentriKid.
Eryn Riley is a student at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas majoring in Vocal Music Education. This is her second official year with CentriKid, and she is thankful for the opportunity to lead out in worship (one of the best parts of camp)! CentriKid has quickly become one of her favorite things, and she is so excited for this summer!
Matt is a worship pastor / leader currently residing in Hernando MS. He has spent the past 16 years traveling and leading across the country, while also serving for the past decade as one of the founding pastors and worship leader of Eastpoint Church in Lewisburg, MS. His desire is for people to realize and walk in their God given calling of glorifying The Father through individual & corporate worship.
Daniel Richardson is a graduate of University of Mary Hardin Baylor and is pursuing his Masters of Divinity. He served on Rec Staff last summer and we’re excited to have Daniel serve as Camp Pastor for 2022!
Justin Barton has served with CentriKid Camps for 9 years as a leader and Camp Pastor. He is a deacon and children’s Sunday School teacher at his home church. Justin and his wife, Caitlin, have 6 children, Bentley, Katie, Abigail, Addyson, Carter, and Blakelee. He is currently a middle and high ELA instructional coach and lives in Kingsport, TN. Justin loves to travel, spend time with his kids, and serve the local church.
Pastor Brian grew up in a small town in North Carolina. He grew up in the church but didn’t live a life devoted to Jesus. In fact, it was at a party in 2010 that God called him out of a purposeless life and into the life that Jesus truly desired for him. That same year, Brian heard God’s call into ministry. Since then, he has made it his mission to share the Good News about Jesus. Brian has degrees in Nursing, as well as Biblical Studies. He also received his Masters of Arts in Theological Studies.
Pastor Brian the senior pastor at Seven Cities Church. He is married to his beautiful wife, Kristen. They have 4 children: Graysen, Emma Rae, Blake, and Katie Melei. Katie Melei is still awaiting their arrival to China so she can be adopted into her forever home. Pastor Brian is one of the most outgoing and energetic people that you will ever meet. His love for Jesus and people are evident. He loves to run, golf and hunt. He is a country boy at heart but still walks around in skinny jeans (not the cowboy kind). His passion is preaching and evangelizing, and he loves to put a smile on someone’s face.
Noah is from Nashville, Tennessee. He graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a degree in Communications and is currently working toward his MDiv at SBTS. He is on staff at First Baptist Church Hendersonville with the Preteen Ministry and has served in this position for a year. Noah loves CrossFit, sports, outdoors and camp!
Hunter Smith is a native of Kentucky and has been a Student Pastor in churches in Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. He is a graduate of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and is currently serving as the Jr. High Student Pastor at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Huntsville, Alabama. Hunter’s passion is ministering to young students and aiding in the transition in between children’s and student ministry. He has served one year prior as a camp pastor for CentriKid and worked two summers of Fuge Camps. Hunter has been married to his wife, Sarah, for four years. They are the proud owners of the world’s greatest hound dog and are expecting their first son, Hank, this Spring!
PJ Keen is the Children’s Pastor at Brandon Baptist Church in Brandon, MS. He have a beautiful wife named Jordan and an incredible son named Jude. He and Jordan worked with Centrikid as staff members between 2013 and 2016. They are very passionate about camp ministry and thankful for Centrikid’s work to share the gospel with children every Summer.
Henry Dutton (or Pastor Hank) has been a part of CentriKid Camps for over a decade, serving as a summer staffer, camp director, member of the Nashville HQ team, and Camp Pastor. Currently, Henry serves as a stay-at-home dad and a freelance writer and speaker. Henry is married to Amy, and they have three young kids.
Matt currently lives in Raleigh, NC with his wife Kelly and 3 kids, Eli (7), Caleb (5), and Addie Claire (2) where he serves on staff at the Summit Church as the Pastor of Discipleship at the Brier Creek Campus. As a former Kids Pastor, Matt has a huge passion to reach kids with the gospel and is excited to partner with CentriKid for another summer!
I currently serve as Children’s Minister at Concord Baptist Church in Anderson, SC. I have an amazing family Liza (wife), Noah (14) and Lainey (11). We love board games, video games and sports. ESPECIALLY basketball!! I have worked camp for a long time and served in almost every position. I truly feel like my calling is communicating God’s word to both kids and their families. I also get to teach Children’s Ministry at Anderson University.
Daniel Teague serves as the Children’s Pastor and Next Gen Team Leader at First Baptist Church in Alpharetta, GA. He has been serving in full-time ministry for 7 years and with CentriKid since 2007. He and his wife, Laura, have two boys and a lazy golden retriever. Daniel enjoys drinking coffee, running, sour candy, and all things camp!
Luke Harding is the NextGen Pastor at Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Springfield, MO. He has served in kids ministry for the past 9 years and began preaching for CentriKid in 2016. Luke and his wife Hannah have 2 kids, Will and Molly. Luke has a passion for the Gospel, tractors, and the local church.
Trent along with his wife Sarah and three children reside in Campbellsville Kentucky where he has served at Campbellsville University for the past 12 years in a variety of roles and currently as the Campus Minister. During this time he has also served at Lowell Avenue Baptist Church as the youth, associate and now interim pastor. CentriKid has played a major role in Trent’s life through the opportunities to serve as a Bible study leader, Camp Pastor, and Camp Director.
Dr. Shane Garrison is Professor of Educational Ministries at Campbellsville University School of Theology. Shane has served with CentriKid for ten years as a camp pastor and on the content creation team. He is married to Jennifer and they have two teenage sons.