Staff Anniversaries - December 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!
Shan Inniss - 7 Years
Shantary Inniss
Shan is celebrating seven years on staff with Emerald Youth Foundation, but her path with Emerald goes all the way back to her days as a child involved in Emerald Youth. She believes the Lord brought her back to Emerald to give her an opportunity to serve the communities that she grew up in. Though times have changed and things are different, there are similarities between her time as a student and her time now as a staff member. Shantary reflects, “I get to see the same things, but through different lenses.” She believes God brought her to Emerald to be a familiar face to those Emerald serves and those we aspire to serve. Her desire is to see people know the same God that has brought her so far.
There are endless memories for Shan to label as her favorite. “Memories are made daily,” she says. From playing “Big Mama” at elementary camp, taking high school students to games to cheer on their team in freezing weather, braiding hair on camping trips, or zip lining into the water at Doe River to help a camper feel comfortable, memories are made. One memory, however, holds a special place in her heart. “I remember a student telling me he didn’t believe in God and never prayed to Him. Then, that same students volunteered to pray for my family when we were going through a rough time. Simply put, I love it here and I thank God for the opportunity to serve His people, especially in East Knoxville. Good things are happening on the east side.”
Chris Webb - 7 Years
Chris Webb
After graduating from ETSU, Chris Webb remained in Johnson City where he got married and began a family. They had a call to move back to Knoxville to be closer to family, but Chris did not know what he would do for work. He searched for five years for a job that filled all his desires: to love what he did, love who he worked with, and loved the mission behind the job. The Lord knew exactly the place for Chris, Emerald Youth Foundation. Now when asked about his job, Chris says, “My answer is always, ‘I love what I do, who I am working with, and why we do it.’ It has become a sentence that just rolls off my tongue because it is so true and has remained true for 7 years.”
Over the seven years, Chris has many memorable moments. While doing projects at either Emerald Youth or Emerald Academy, Chris is usually surrounded by young people. “They are the reason I have the role I do, and I have the honor in preparing space for them to utilize. Having the opportunity to be around them in program and at the school be it while building a bookshelf, fixing an air conditioner, driving a bus, installing a window, or fixing a door handle is what I love about what I have been blessed to call a job,” Chris said. While he works, hearing the young people giggle and run around makes him smile. While doing projects, some of the youth even volunteer to help him! One moment, however, stays with him. He explained, “Just the other day I was fixing the playground gate at the school and I had a helper the whole time. She chose not to play and instead sit at the gate and help/talk, I even let her turn the screwdriver and you would have thought I handed her an ice cream cone wrapped in $100. A couple of days later I saw her in the halls, and it made my day she remembered me and my name and it made hers that I did as well. We became fast pals!”
Roxy Lyons Jr.
Roxy Lyons Jr. - 3 Years
Roxy believes the Lord brought him to Emerald Youth Foundation to make an impact and make a difference. For three years, Roxy has used the platform of sports to impact the youth in the city. He uses baseball as a platform to mentor and disciple city youth to fulfill the great commission. Every athlete that knows Roxy, knows how to answer the question when he asks them, “What does D3 mean?” The athletes will shout, “Disciples who make disciples who make disciples!” Roxy holds tightly to the great commission found in Scripture, but also to Emerald’s mission of creating young Godly leaders that become effective leaders in their communities. He considers working at Emerald to be a blessing and an amazing journey.
For Roxy, every day is a fun and memorable moment for him. He is blessed with the opportunity to see and build relationships with youth and be a light in their darkness. However, if he has to pinpoint one memorable moment, he would choose hosting the Smoky Mountain Rivalry each April. This is Emerald Baseball’s biggest event, showcasing the respective middle school teams followed by a high school rivalry game between Fulton and Austin-East baseball teams. For some athletes involved, it is their very first time in a stadium! Roxy loves the opportunity for athletes and coaches to be in fellowship and fun with crowd participation.