Staff Anniversaries - April 2024
It would be impossible to overstate how valuable our staff is in pursuing our mission to serve Knoxville’s urban youth. Whether staff members are directly involved with youth through discipleship, coaching, tutoring, etc. or are a part of the support staff that equips them, each member has God-given talents and passion that make our organization fruitful. It is our desire to celebrate them and, in the process, let you get to know them a little better. So, stop by our blog each month to see the latest anniversaries and get to know the folks who are the hands and feet of our work in knoxville’s city neighborhoods!
Daniel Brooks - 1 year
Daniel Brooks
For Daniel, Emerald Youth Foundation has been the perfect place to combine his love of sports and passion for missions. With a degree in Ministry Leadership and his experience as a youth pastor and missionary, he knew he wanted to continue working in a ministry position. He never thought, however, that his interest in sports would fit into his ministry until God opened a door for him here at Emerald. “Sports brings community, unity, competition and discipline…all attributes that can apply to daily living.” As a Calling & Career Ministry Coach, Daniel helps students discover their passions and set goals for the future. His favorite memory is from last summer’s LaunchPoint program for recent graduates where the staff set up a real-world game of “Life” that combined budgeting, investing and long-terms goals into an interactive game. “Getting to see the students realize the importance of making good decisions, prioritizing the necessities that they will need in life and creating better plans for success was humorous and impactful. It created great discussions and moments of encouragement that should help them as they…transition into adulthood.”
Sanford Miller, Sr.
Sanford Miller, Sr. - 2 years
Pastor Miller has been involved with Emerald for a long time, but two years ago he took on his current role as the Sports & Recreation Ministry Director for our Lonsdale/West Area. According to Pastor Miller, “the Lord brought me to Emerald to encourage, teach, and share my story of how God saved my life and how He will do the same for others.” He believes the experiences he has had are the very things God can use to help out someone else – to give them wisdom, so they won’t make the same mistakes he once did. Pastor Miller loves cutting up with his co-workers and the kids, but his most memorable moment was when Rev. Dr. Harold Middlebrook received the legacy award at Emerald Youth Foundation’s Legacy Dinner. Seeing the excitement on Rev. Middlebrook’s face when he received that award impacted Pastor Miller and everyone else there that night – it was a sweet time of giving honor to whom honor is due.
Erica Randolph-Allen
Erica Randolph-Allen - 3 years
Erica started off at Emerald as a Calling and Career Ministry Coach. She enjoyed seeing students get accepted at the college of their choice and grow into effective leaders while they were there. Now as our Talent & Recruitment Coordinator, she excels at sharing “the many academic and recreational opportunities we have to offer the youth of our city.” Through all her work here at Emerald though, the thing that is most obvious about Erica is that she is an encourager. Whether she is welcoming everyone to our All-Staff meetings; singing at her desk; sharing a yummy, new dish; or helping young adults be all God created them to be, Erica is bringing Godly encouragement to every situation. She knows that God has called her to care for youth and point them to Himself and she describes herself as “a conduit of Psalm 61:2 where David cried out ‘When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the ROCK that is higher than I.’”
Tate Reddick
Tate Reddick - 1 year
Tate’s first encounter with Emerald Youth was as a middle school student playing in the basketball program 20+ years ago. He never imagined working for Emerald until God literally led him to the position. At the time, he was hoping for a career change, looking for a place where he could be more productive and contribute to the world around him. He was a soccer parent whose child was playing in the Emerald Premier League, and he contacted Britton Leitch, Emerald’s Sports Ministry Operations Director, with some scheduling and logistical concerns. At some point the conversation shifted as Britton explained that once they found a new Premier League Director those logistical hiccups would improve. God started working, not only on Tate, but on Britton and others at Emerald to make it obvious that Tate was the person to fill that role. Now Tate has a position that uses the talents and experience that God has given him and provides him with an opportunity to serve youth through his passion for sports. How does he feel about this job? “I am literally working my dream job right now – there is nothing I could change to make this scenario any better.”
Alec Ross
Alec Ross - 3 years
Alec got to know Emerald Youth Foundation through the associate partnership his church had formed with Emerald several years ago. When Emerald began reaching out to more youth in South Knoxville, Alec was a perfect fit to help. A graduate from South Doyle and a South Knoxville native, Alec continues serving the school and community where he grew up as Emerald’s Calling & Career Ministry Coordinator for the South Area. Hillcrest Community Church, where Alec also serves as youth director, hosts our Calling & Career Ministry in South Knoxville and has been a blessing to our work there. Alec is grateful for the staff and students at Emerald, some of whom he has walked alongside for 10+ years. “Getting to watch these kids turn into young adults is one of the best feelings in the world.”
Nathan Woods
Nathan Woods - 7 years
Nathan is grateful for his job here it Emerald Youth. His prayer was for a job that would be “a challenge and would stretch [his] abilities and knowledge,” and we have definitely tried to serve him in that way! We throw every IT problem that we can at him! You can always find Nathan serving in the background, equipping us to be more effective and fruitful, while remaining calm as our “technology frustrations” sometime rise.