Travis Briles
Travis grew up in central North Carolina. He attended Belmont University in Nashville, TN, studying Audio Engineering and Christian Ministries. There he met his wife, Charity, a violin performance major. Together they have two boys, Clark and Luke. Travis is currently enrolled in seminary at Grace School of Theology. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family outside, taking classes at GSOT, blade smithing, and fly fishing.
Johnny Byrd
Johnny came to Christ at age 6 where he grew up in Fayetteville, NC. He was educated at Columbia Bible College, and the University of North Carolina, where he obtained a Masters degree in Accounting. He has studied for over 40 years under the tutelage of expository Bible teachers. Johnny and his wife, Gina, met at UNC and have 7 children. In his spare time he enjoys golf, chess, studying the Bible, and spending time at home with family.
Bob Gates
Bob came to faith in Christ in the mid 70’s and church has been a major part of his and his family’s life since that time. He served in the deacon ministry at their previous church and has been an elder at Christ Fellowship for about 26 years. He enjoys family life, studying the Word, working, golf, working on their land and reading. He was born and raised in Texas and their family has lived in the Middle Tennessee area since December of 1971. They have been blessed to have 4 daughters, sons-in-law, and 10 grand-kids.
David Hungate
Originally from IL, David moved to TN in January of 2000 and came to faith in Christ in March that year. He enjoys singing/listening to music and spending time with his family. He is married to an amazing, Godly woman, Dashan, with whom He has four children. One of the biggest blessings that He’s found since coming to faith is a community of people that surrounds him; one where they share common faith, can bear each other’s burdens and celebrate triumphs, and can be encouraged as they walk with the Lord.
Kip Jaeger
Kip Jaeger trusted Jesus as a young child growing up in North Dakota and met his wife, Kathleen, while attending college in Minnesota. In 1991, both of them moved to Tennessee to begin a life here and have raised 4 Tennesseans. He enjoys family, friends, music and the outdoors.
Walter Thomas
Walter came to faith at six years old, in Sunday school class in his Pastor’s office. He has been a part of Christ Fellowship for most of his adult life. “It’s family to me”. He grew up in big city Jacksonville Florida, but went to Bryan College in small town Dayton Tennessee where he learned to love the outdoors. His favorite activities are photography, hiking, and tennis.
David Zinn
A Mountaineer from West Virginia, David has retired from the practice of law as his vocation. He has been involved in the teaching ministry of Christ Fellowship since it was formed and, for many years, he has been one of the teaching elders. His spiritual journey began when he came to faith in Christ as a young boy. As he grew in his faith, he began to love the Word of God. In later years, his interest in the study of the Word led him to take a number of courses through Dallas Theological Seminary including a three-week class in Israel. He and his late wife, Patty, made their home in Franklin beginning in 1976. They were blessed with three children who, with their families which include eleven grandchildren, also live in Franklin. In his spare time, he enjoys the study of the Word, the opportunity to attend sporting and other events in which his grandchildren are involved, and the chance to come alongside people to encourage them in their walk with Jesus.