Matt Parker

Founder / Director of The Crucible’s Fire, Inc. 

In 25 years of bi-vocational pastoral ministry, Matt has always carried a passion for making disciples and bringing the Word of God to life, encouraging and equipping the church to train disciples of Jesus willing to LEARN. TEACH. REPEAT. 

Matt currently serves as a Quality Control Engineer for a software firm and as the Director of Technology in his local church. Matt earned his Bachelor's degree in Business from LeTourneau University and his Masters of Education from Stephen F. Austin University. He spent 8 years in the public school classroom and is a Certified Principal. 

After leading his church to dissolve and join the fellowship across the road in 2017, he founded The Crucible’s Fire, a ministry dedicated to Educating, Equipping, and Encouraging the body of Christ. Matt currently serves as the Director of Technology at the Bridge Fellowship Church in Martin’s Mill, TX. 

He and his wife, Tammy, have four biological children, three adopted children, one granddaughter, and serve as foster parents. He is the author of the ministry’s flagship publication, The Crucible's Fire: A Story of God's Faithfulness which chronicles how the Lord used their special needs daughter to mold and shape them into a clearer reflection of Christ. Matt has also authored the 3x5 Bible Study Guide, the FOUNDATIONS Small Group Discipleship course, various study aides, and the ministry’s blog.. 

Tim Gandy

Founder, Tim Gandy Ministries

Tim and Matt have known each other and ministered together in various capacities for over 25 years. Tim is a faithful soldier in the Kingdom and a tireless encourager of the saints. He has led countless missionary trips to Mexico, Nicaragua, and Europe. Tim is married to Margie and they have 7 children and X grandchildren. Tim’s servant heart and selfless demeanor have served him well as he serves the King.

Tim has a God-given knack for seeing the Kingdom in every day events and situations. His unique perspective has allowed him to mentor and disciples countless souls in his lifetime.

Carrie Gurley

Executive Director, Freedom Shield Foundation and Owner of Carrie Grace Consulting

Carrie Gurley is an international expert in the specialized field of trauma recovery and post trauma resiliency for victims of human trafficking. She has developed protocols and standards in this space and her programs and curriculum are used in prevention, education and restoration services around the world.

In 2016 Carrie founded the non-profit Valiant Hearts which has served victims in the Dallas Fort Worth area as well as several other nations. She also established the first long term aftercare program for victims of sex trafficking in Scotland and opened the first emergency housing program for sex trafficked victims in Texas. 

Over the course of her career, she has provided advisory services in the United States as well as India, the Philippines and Iraq and her programs are currently being employed in Scotland, Iraq and the United States. She has also trained and advised members of government, law enforcement, education, the medical community, churches, and NGOs.

In 2019, she joined Freedom Shield Foundation as Executive Director. Carrie also specializes in maximizing performance for professionals. She has a holistic approach including a lifestyle and career inventory tool guaranteed to give you key targets for enhanced performance. She works one on one with leaders, tailoring the program to fit each individual’s needs. With her experience in counseling, team performance development, executive leadership and program development, she has gained proven results with her approach.

Patrick McGhee

Patrick is the father of 7 beautiful children and is married to his lovely wife Krystal. He has served as a Youth pastor, Associate Pastor, and Assistant Pastor in various churches. He believes God has called him to minister to pastors and leaders as they bring forth the vision God has given them. 

He has come alongside Pastors to build churches, start churches, dissolve churches, and recently, merge churches. He believes God is always on the move and wants to remain in step with him no matter the cost. 

Currently Patrick and his family worship and serve at Bridge Fellowship in Martin’s Mill, Texas. He also serves in EMS as a Supervisor for Paramedics Plus and is an online Instructor for the School of EMS.

Tre’Mayne (Tre) Tuck

Co-Founder, Bros For Real: Kingdom Focus

A husband and father to a beautiful wife; Maria Tuck & 5 children; Joshua, Andreya, Yashar, Elijah and Emmanuel. Tre is the Pastor and founder of True Life Christian Church in Arizona. Together with his long-time friend, Pastor Willie Collins, Tre has co-founded Bros For Real, a ministry dedicated to taking the church to the places it is needed most.

Tre is also a Retired Navy Senior Chief after 26 years of honorable service. Tre has an infectious personality that brightens the entire room. He carries a deep passion for building the Kingdom of God outside the four walls of the church building. 

Willie Collins

Co-Founder, Bros For Real: Kingdom Focus

Willie Collins is a native of Sarasota, Florida and retired U.S. Navy Veteran after 24 years of faithful service. He is married to Simone Collins, who is a native of the Grand Cayman Islands. In their 18 years of marriage God has blessed them with three beautiful children, Biyonce, Gabrielle and Isaiah.

Willie J. Collins is senior Pastor of Living Faith Fellowship Church San Antonio, Texas Est. April 15, 2013. A multicultural Church with the mission to win souls to Christ through witnessing, teaching the uncompromising Word of God, serving, nurturing and stewardship for the advancement of God's Kingdom. He consults regularly with fellow Pastors in reaching the goal of strengthening the family and community needs to help create synergistic solutions to world-impacting problems.

Prior to him establishing Living Faith Fellowship Church San Antonio, Texas his current position, he was no stranger to the ministry of tutoring, mentoring and encouraging others. His long time mentor Bishop E. James Logan recognized the passion and commitment Willie had for Gods vision to be established in the heart of others. Willie served diligently under the supervision of Bishop E. James Logan and staff, ultimately being appointed to lead as a Youth Minister and a member of the Finance Team at Christian Faith Fellowship Church in Zion, Illinois.

In receiving military orders to the USS John F. Kennedy (JFK) (CV-67) in Jacksonville, Florida he continued his commitment to God. Was again sought out due to his genuine zeal for God to be a part of the JFK’s ships Chaplains Lay Ministry Team. Continued his service to God and country in support of the Chaplain Lay Leader Support at Naval Hospital Jacksonville, Florida. Also in his off duty support to God with family they partnered with the Potters House International Ministries Serving as Armor Bearer for Bishop Vaughn McLaughlin (Senior Pastor and Overseer).

After being licensed as Minister to teach the word of God Willie and Family were giving orders to be stationed in Okinawa Japan. It was here where Willie served as Cell Ministry leader through Rhema International Christian Center impacting the lives of many overseas-stationed personnel and family. Upon receiving orders of deployment to Iraq, Willie continued to give way to God to use him to conduct weekly Bible studies and lead numerous Sunday Sermons throughout several countries while on deployment. His efforts were invaluable to the Command Chaplain which saw that Chief Willie Collins would be his most entrusted advisor. Well-respected and trusted mentor to many while personally invested in the spiritual growth of the Marines and Sailors of 9th Engineering Support Battalion. The Command Chaplain quotes Willie as: “one the most instrumental assets of the success of the Command Religious Program of 9th Engineering Support Battalion during OIF 8.2 deployment.”

During his active duty tour as a Navy Chief Petty Officer at Navy Medicine Training Command, assigned as the Defense Medical Readiness Training Institute Navy Senior Enlisted Leader, he served as a Sexual Assault Victim Advocate from 2011-2014. Certified through the Department of Sexual Assault Advocacy Credentialing Program (D-SAACP) from 2012-2014.

Pastor Willie has been instrumental and impactful in the City of San Antonio, where he has been featured on Turner Broadcasting Network (TBN) on a regular basis as he shares his down to earth yet theologically sound message about Jesus Christ to many.

Pastor Willie and Wife Simone both love the Lord Jesus Christ with all of their heart, mind and soul and endeavor to humbly serve the people in their community and around the world.