DOE RIVER GORGE MINISTRIES - Key Persons
Beth is a native of Johnson City, TN. She is a graduate of Bob Jones University in 2002 with a Master's degree in counseling. During college, she worked three summers at a Christian camp in NC. Most recently she was a children's home director in Tanzania for 12 years. Beth and her husband John live in Hampton, TN.
Job Titles:
- Recruitment and Marketing
Charis has a long-time history with Doe River Gorge. Starting out as a Junior Adventure Quest camper, she has worked her way through Adventure Quest programs including all three leadership programs. She served as a summer camp counselor for three summers, as well as the 9-month Exponential Gap Year program from 2021-2022.
Job Titles:
- Chief Development Officer
Chuck is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and Cumberland School of Law. He practiced law in Tampa, FL for 13 years before becoming a real estate developer. He and his son have enjoyed Father/Son Challenges and Adventure Quest at Doe River Gorge. He joined the DRG Board of Directors in 2015 and is currently serving as Chief Development Officer for Doe River Gorge. Chuck and his wife Angie have four children: Connor, Catherine, Chase, and Christin.
David graduated with degree in Business Admin. from Marshall University in 1991. He later completed bible courses through Moody Bible Institute. David and wife Samantha moved to East Tennessee in 2001 to train with Moody Aviation. They have two daughters, Micah and Hannah, and two sons, Joseph and Jesse. webpage
Job Titles:
- Visual Media / Website ( 1996 )
After graduating from Cedarville College (1972) and Moody Aviation (1976), Clif and his wife Hannah served as missionaries in Amazonas, Brazil with the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism. They have five children and sixteen grandchildren. Clif produces promotional videos and is also the webmaster. Hannah assists Clif with shooting Adventure Quest videos and also helps in the office. webpage - newsletter
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Program Director
Jacob is from Elizabethton, TN and began his connection with Doe River Gorge when he attended Father-Son retreats. He then served as summer staff 2017-2020.
Jason is a graduate of Tennessee Tech University and works as a Software Analyst/Consultant. As a teen, he spent many days at DRG as part of the Grace Fellowship church youth group. Jason is married to Lea Ann and they have one son, Gavin. Jason joined the Board of Directors in 2016.
Job Titles:
- Equestrian Director / Maintenance Assistant ( 2017 )
Jessica trained in Parelli Natural Horsemanship methods in 2009. In 2010 she served at Doe River Gorge as Summer Staff and then on full-time staff 2013-15. She returned to her home in WI for 2 years and returned to Doe River Gorge in 2017. webpage
Joel came to Doe River Gorge as a middle school camper in 2001. He worked as a firefighter in Florida 2008-2011. In 2011 he came to DRG as summer staff where he met his wife Angela (Rodriguez). Joel and Angela worked at Christian camps in California and Texas 2011-2021. Joel is part of the program team, and also works with summer staff recruiting and the Exponential Gap Year program. Angela volunteers in various ministry and program roles. Joel and Angela have three sons Silas, Jedidiah and Elias.
Karen served on the housekeeping staff beginning in 2007, and in 2018 moved into the food service staff.
Matt graduated from Moody Bible Institute in 2002 and served with Carter County Sheriff's Department. He and wife Tracy have seven children. webpage
Michael worked at Le Reve in Las Vegas before coming to Doe River to develop the Outdoor Education program. From his youth he has had a passion for all things outdoors. Michael has a well-developed skill in nature photography which he uses to document his discoveries and observations. Michael is married to Sara (Owen), who was an Exponential intern (2018-19). They have one son, Spiers.
After marrying Nancy in 1991, they moved to East Tennessee in 1995 for Mark to attend Moody Aviation. In 1996 Nancy began working at Doe River Gorge as Director of Guest Relations and served in that role until 2000.
In 1997, Mark had the summer off from Moody and answered the call to computerize the registration process which Nancy had been doing her best to keep up with on paper. To make a long story short, he never made it back to Moody that fall! From just three or four computers and a homegrown registration system, Doe River's technical infrastructure has grown significantly over the years and Mark continues to be the go-to person for anything IT. There are now dozens of computers, a server, site-wide network, database and reports, audio/visual systems, phone system, radios, paging, and more. Mark also has the distinction of overseeing the railroad operations and maintenance. Mark and Nancy have two children, Jon (2001) and Kate (2003).
Ralph is a native of Northeast Tennessee, and a graduate of The University of Tennessee in Knoxville with a degree in agriculture. He worked nearly 20 years for CSX Transportation and its predecessors starting on the Clinchfield Railroad. He is the founder of Mountain Empire Auction. He and his wife Jeanne live on their farm and are parents of four children.
Ryan graduated from East Tennessee State University with a BS in Continuing Education (Outdoor Recreation & Safety). During the development years of Doe River Gorge he volunteered as activity instructor and facilitator. His certifications include: Lifeguard Instructor, Wilderness First Aid Instructor, CPR/First Aid Instructor, USSF Soccer Coach & Referee, and formerly Swift Water Rescue Instructor. He and Jennifer have two sons, Riley & Reece. He enjoys traveling, hiking, skiing, and watching sons play soccer & run cross-ountry.
Jennifer graduated from East Tennessee State University with a BSW in Social Work and a Masters in Recreation/emphasis Therapeutic Recreation from UT Knoxville. She and her family attend Redstone Community Church. From the development years of Doe River Gorge and the growth of the ministry up till now, Jennifer has volunteered as an activity instructor and facilitator, led Bible Studies, trained summer staff in high adventure, planned and coordinated retreats at the ministry, and started a college gathering "The Fellowship". For the last 25 years she has worked in the mental health field in various positions. In the last 5 years, she has been working with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. She and husband Ryan have two sons, Riley & Reece and a dog Patches. She enjoys traveling, hiking, skiing, beach walks, and watching sons play soccer & run cross-country. webpage
David and his wife Samantha moved into the East Tennessee area in 2001 to prepare for missionary aviation at Moody Bible Institute. David was well on his way to becoming a missionary pilot/mechanic when the Lord showed him that He had other plans. He and Samantha have four children; Micah, Joseph, Hannah, and Jesse.
Scott served as summer staff at Doe River Gorge from 2010-2015. After graduating from the University of Tennessee with a degree in Computer Science in 2013, he assisted in the development of the one-year internship program at DRG. His transition to business manager came over a period of time being mentored by previous DRG business manager, David Jensen.
Job Titles:
- President of Wysong Enterprises Inc
- Transportation Division Director at KCG Engineering
Steve Wysong is the President of Wysong Enterprises Inc., in Blountville, TN, a leading provider of helicopter customization services. Steve has been a long-time supporter of Doe River Gorge by assisting with various projects including the refurbishing of vehicles and railroad equipment over the years. Steve joined the DRG Board of Directors in 2015. Steve is married to Kim and they have two adult children, Holly and Kelly.
Steve serves as the Transportation Division Director at KCG Engineering and Planning in Orlando, Florida. His background includes completing minor, major and complex roadway projects and he also has extensive experience developing public involvement programs for transportation projects. Steve and his family have participated in many events at Doe River Gorge, including Father/Son Challenges and Adventure Quest. He joined the DRG Board of Directors in 2015. Steve is married to Wendy and they have four children, Jonathan, Mason, Sammie and Allie.
After graduating from Moody Bible Institute in 1978, Terry helped start Grace Fellowship Church in Johnson City, TN. He served on staff as Youth Minister for 16 years. During that time he conducted summer camps using rented facilities and eventually formed Doe River Gorge Christian Camp and Conference Center. Terry resigned from Grace Fellowship Church in December 1994 to assume full time duties at Doe River Gorge. Terry is married to Karen and they have three children: Kara (married to Brad Teeple), Danielle and Michael, married to Sara (Owen).
Zoe has 15 years of experience in education, English, and business administration. From 2007-2022, she worked with her family's business which taught writing and rhetoric to 5th-12th graders. During that time, she developed a love for kids and a passion for Jesus. Through a series of miraculous events, including a friendship with the David Legge family, Zoe, her mother, and her sister moved from Minnesota to TN in 2021. As the Lord called Zoe and her family to new adventures, He lined up several circumstances which led Zoe to Doe River Gorge, where she joined the team as Executive Assistant in January of 2023.