Where tomorrow’s church leaders get their start

Jerry Baum is from Haddon Township, New Jersey. He attended Cedarville University in Cedarville, Ohio where he met his wife Abby. While at Cedarville he received a B.A. in Youth Ministries and completed his Masters in Divinity. He is currently pursuing a Doctoral Leveling degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, with the goal of pursuing a ThM.

Ashley Benitez is from Houston, Texas. She attended the College of Biblical Studies and is pursuing a B.S. in Organizational Leadership. She plans to continue serving in vocational ministry.

Matthew Carnes is from Bainbridge, Georgia. He graduated with a B.S. In Kinesiology from Georgia Southern University. He is pursuing an MDiv from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, with plans to pastor and counsel in the future.

Alejandra Escalante is born and raised in Houston, Texas. She graduated from Houston Christian University where she received her B.A in Psychology with a minor in General Business and Spanish. She is now pursuing a Master’s in Professional Counseling at Dallas Baptist University.

Caleb McKinion is from Cedarville, Ohio. He attended Cedarville University, where he received his B.S. in Business Management. He is pursuing a Masters of Divinity at The Southern Theological Seminary.

Caroline Rabalais is from Huffman, Texas. She attended the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, Texas, where she received her B.S. in Educational Advocacy. She is pursuing a Masters in Developmental Psychology at Liberty University.

Ethan Reeves is from College Station, TX. He received his B.S. in Commercial Music: Songwriting from Liberty University.

Matthew Shoults is from Arlington, Texas. He attended Dallas Baptist University where he received his B.S. in Psychology and minored in Biblical Studies. He is now pursuing his Masters of Divinity at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Jarissa Worst is from Virginia Beach, VA. For her undergraduate studies, she attended Liberty University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Music & Worship with a Cognate in Women's Leadership. For her graduate degree, she is now pursuing a Master of Divinity with a Specialization in Ministry to Women through New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

Ashley Beavers is from Houston, Texas. She attended Dallas Baptist University, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies. She is now pursuing a Master of Arts in Family Ministry at Dallas Baptist University.

Adam Coy is from Colorado Springs, Colorado. He graduated with a B.S. in Christian Studies and double minored in Biblical Studies and Youth Ministry from Liberty University. He is currently pursuing an M.A. in Biblical Languages: Language Exegesis from Liberty University.

Faith-Allison Coy is from Monroeville, New Jersey. She graduated from Liberty University with a B.S. in Christian Leadership and Church Ministries and is currently pursuing a master's degree in Educational Ministries.

Landin Favrot is from Black Mountain, North Carolina. He attended Liberty University, where he earned his undergraduate degree in Biblical Studies. He is currently pursuing a master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy.

Ryleigh Favrot is from York County, Pennsylvania. She is currently studying Hospitality Management and Religion through Liberty University online.

Sarah Fields is from Heath, Texas. She attended Baylor University, where she received her bachelor's in Political Science with a double minor in Religion and Legal Reasoning and Analysis. She is now obtaining a Theological Certificate from Lanier Theological Library.

Ty Justice is from Charlotte, North Carolina. He graduated in May 2026 from Liberty University with a B.S. in Religious Studies and a double minor in Theology and Communications. He is now pursuing an M.A.R. in Religion with a focus in Apologetics from Liberty University.

Gabriel Real-Morales was born in Temple, Texas, to Puerto Rican parents and grew up as a military child. His passion for Jesus and sharing the Gospel led him to pursue a bachelor's degree in Business Leadership and a Master of Divinity in Preaching and Pastoral Ministry at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary through the Accelerate program. He currently serves as a Bilingual Adult Ministry Resident at Champion Forest North Klein.

Gabriela Salazar is from Spring, Texas. She attended Dallas Baptist University, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Music Business and Worship Leadership. She is pursuing her Lanier Certificate in Theology and Ministry from The Lanier Theological Library and Learning Center.

Alexis Sommerville grew up in southwest Florida. She attended Liberty University, where she received a B.S. in Christian Leadership and Church Ministries with a focus in Women's Leadership. She is currently pursuing an M.A. in Pastoral Counseling at Liberty Theological Seminary.

Ellie Viana is from Winchester, Virginia. She received her bachelor's degree in Christian Studies and her master's degree in Sports Chaplaincy from Liberty University. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Christian Leadership with a focus on Spiritual Formation.

Alessandra Villalobos is a Houston native who has been a member of Champion Forest for many years before joining the Residency. For her undergraduate degree, she attended Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in History and Religion & Philosophy. She is now pursuing a Master of Arts in Christian Education through Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Tanner Williams is from Forney, Texas. He attended Texas A&M University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Science. Tanner is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity through Midwestern Theological Seminary.

Claire Xu is originally from Qingdao, China, a coastal city in eastern China. She graduated from Cedarville University with a B.A. in Visual Communication Design, specializing in both graphic design and interactive web design. After graduation, she continued at Cedarville, where she studied in the Master of Divinity program for a year and a half. She is now pursuing an M.A. in Graphic Design at the Savannah College of Art and Design.