The Journey Staff

We have the best staff in the world!

 
Will Oswald was born on March 26, 1974 in the one and only University Hospital in Augusta, GA. He met his better half, Susan, in college and it took him three years to convince her to go out with him. Eventually she said yes, now they are married with three kids – Wilson, Elijah (Eli), and Greta. He likes country music, especially Rascal Flats and Alan Jackson, and his favorite foods are asparagus and Doritos, although he claims not to eat them together. Will’s life mission is to “love my creator, love his creation, and spend my life helping to reconnect the two.”
  
       
Brian Early was born on January 11, 1961 at the Whiteman Air Force Base in Knobnoster, MO… he’s not making that up… Knobnoster, but he grew up near Denver, CO. He and his wife, Donna have 4 kids – Bethany, Aaron, Jacob, and Hannah. His first job was cleaning cars and motor-homes at a Pontiac dealership. He likes jazz music and has played the trumpet since 3rd grade, enjoys watching movies like Gladiator with family and friends, and likes sports…watching or attending. Brian’s life mission is to learn how to better live for God each day as a husband, father, church leader, and then help as many people as possible to do the same.
 
Matt Dawson was born in the Canadian motherland on March 27, 1975, but his covert operation in the US began is Kissimmee, FL in 1988. He and his wife, Tracie, have two children – Parker and Thomas. He is scared of intergalactic warfare, kitty litter (it can survive anything), and when he watches scary movies he screams like a girl, wets himself, and passes out for an hour or so. He likes movies like Braveheart that make him want to own a sword. Matt’s life mission is to see the Church (bride of Christ) regain its power and influence in the world and to see mulittudes come to Christ in his community.
Ashley Rogers was born on February 2, 1969. She has two children, Sophie and Ben. Her favorite movie is "Parenthood" and her favorite place she has ever lived is Colorado Springs, CO. She enjoys art and gardening and listening to Jimmy Buffett music. The phrase she most overuses is, “It’s gonna be great!” Ashley’s life mission is to help parents and their children be what God has called them to be.
 
Chris Liles was born on September 22, 1973 in G-Town (Gastonia), NC. He met his wife Stacey in middle school, they started dating in college, and now that have two kids – Haley and Nathan (aka Nate Dog). He likes music by Third Day, Matchbox Twenty, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Coldplay. He’s a Tarheels basketball fan, a Pathers football fan, and enjoys hunting, playing on his guitar and playstation. His most used phrase is “Your Mama.” Most people don’t realize that he is actually a skilled handy man. Chris’ life mission is to live out his faith in action and not just words.
Tambi Benzon was born on May 2 in St. Petersburg, FL. She has four children, Tani, Josh, Michael, and Anna. In her spare time, she enjoys working on cars and working out. Her favorite movie is “The Matrix” and her favorite band is Creed. When asked what most people would not know about her, Tambi said, “I have a wild side.” Tambi likes to take life one day at a time, connecting and reaching out to people who need support, encouragement, and someone to care. “Hopefully,” she says, “I can impact the lives of those around me through my relationship with Christ and be an example to others that a Christian is a "real" person and can have FUN!
 
Allison Bodin was born October 14th, 1975. She has lived in Florida, South Carolina, Michigan, Colorado, Iowa, and North Carolina. She met her husband, Brad (the most amazing man on the planet) in line at the DMV in Colorado. They have two sons, Noah and Ethan. Her favorite food is anything green, like brussel sprouts and artichokes. Her hobbies include cooking, hiking, backpacking, and making scrapbooks for her kids. She likes movies like “Office Space,” “Tommy Boy,” and “Singles,” and is still holding out hope that grunge will make a comeback. Allison’s life mission is to leave this world (and everyone she meets in it) better than how she found it.
Ashley Cramer is one of the three native Charlotteans left in this area. She was born in Charlotte on March 28, 1986. She is a self-proclaimed music snob who likes pretty much anything until it becomes too popular. Her favorite movie is The Pink Panther (the new one), which she watches at least once a week. Most people don’t know that during elementary school she was in French Immersion and was fluent in French by the age of 9. Ashley’s life mission is to become a sideline NFL reporter. And she wants to fall more in love with Christ every day, and through that, fall more in love with the Christ she sees in others.
Mike Hurd was born on July 22, 1971 in Clinchport, VA. Yeah, no one else knows where it is either. He met his wife, Katy, at Virginia Tech and they have two kids, Emily and Ike. His favorite foods are gravy, biscuits, and country ham (not that sissy Canadian stuff). He likes working with computers and fixing things. And although he was valedictorian of his high school class, he failed calculus in college. Then he said his favorite quote, “So, I’ve got that going for me… Which is nice.” Mike’s life mission is to live out the Great Commission and reach the forgotten or ignored and demonstrate that God’s pursuit of them is not of anger but out of love.
       
Ryan “Big Bad” Bogart was born on June 30, 1989 in sunny Myrtle Beach, SC. His favorite type of music is Rock ‘n’ Roll, and he plays the bass guitar. When asked what most people wouldn’t know about him, he replied, “I am secretly in love with Matt Dawson. Just Kidding.” He speaks fluent Rastafarian (“Wa’gwan Mi Bredren!”) and overuses the word Dude. His personal life mission is to do the best he can in all that he does and remember that all his strength comes from God.
Matt Dawson Mike HurdChris LilesAllison BodinAshley CramerTambi BenzonWill Oswald Ashley RogersBrian Early Ryan Bogart