Our Staff
Tight Lines, Steady Aim, Cleansed Heart!
Michael Rivers
Regional Director
Michael Rivers is married to Mandy, and they have two beautiful daughters, Taylor and Britleigh. He is a lifelong resident of the Sun and Bush, Louisiana area. Michael is a veteran of the US Marine Corp. He is a diesel mechanic by trade, and works in the offshore oil and gas industry as an industrial mechanic.
Michael is a deacon in his church, very active in his community, and loves serving others. He is an avid outdoorsman, and enjoys spending time with his family. Michael’s parents divorced when he was young, and he flip flopped between the two homes through his teenage years, and has seen many of the struggles that our Truth in Nature boys see today, allowing him to connect with them on a real and personal level.
Tim Croft
Facilities – Rockmart, GA Camp
Tim and his wife Debbie are long time residents in the Cobb/Paulding area of metro Atlanta. They are members of West Ridge Church in Dallas, GA. Tim began mentoring within Truth in Nature in 2013 and has never missed an opportunity to invest into one of our young men. He is a master licensed plumber by trade of over 30 years. Tim has worked in many ministry avenues over the years such as Calvary Children’s Home, Prison Ministry, and more. He has seen first hand the need to reach these boys at this crucial age. He is excited to see how God will continue to grow and expand this ministry to reach more fatherless boys across this nation
JEFF BELL
Regional Director
Jeff and Lauren Bell have 3 sons and live in Bowdon Georgia. Jeff has been a part of Truth In Nature since its inception and is a founding board member.
Jeff has an undergraduate degree in Organization Leadership and a Masters degree in Christian Psychology with a specialization in leadership and coaching. Raising 3 sons has given him a personal perspective on the importance of positive male role models in a boy’s life. “It is exciting to see how God has grown Truth in Nature and to see the life change happening with our young men. Our leaders and mentors are on the front line of this mission. It’s my goal to support our leaders and the call that God has placed on their lives.”
Jeff Benefield
LaGrange, GA
Jeff and his wife Bridget have 3 daughters and live in Lagrange Georgia. Both Jeff and Bridget work at Troup County High School. Jeff is a former High School football coach of 20 years and is now the fishing coach at TCHS.
Bridget is a guidance counselor at TCHS. “I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of TIN. I feel that God assembled a wonderful team that founded this ministry, and it is such an incredible honor to follow their tradition, leadership and commitment to a cause that stands out as one of the major societal problems in our country today.
Chad Kurtz
Brookville, PA
Chad and his wife Amy live in Brookville, PA and run a local taxidermy shop in this community. They are members of Vision of Hope Free Methodist Church. Chad loves to hunt, fish, and spend time with his family in God’s Creation. Chad’s background gave him the heart to want to reach young men who have no father in their life. He has a desire to see these young men have great outdoor experiences, learn life skills, but most importantly share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with them. Chad gave his life to Jesus on a turkey hunt with a close friend one day while out in God’s Outdoors.
Kenneth Hobbs
Houma, LA
Kenneth and his wife Melissa have 6 children and 5 grandchildren. Kenneth works for Schlumberger which is a service company in the oil field. He also served 9 years in the Navy and has managed a Drug and Alcohol treatment center.
I can’t say enough about what it means to me to be a TIN Director! I feel blessed to be used by God and I am honored to share this dream with such Godly men. I take this responsibility very seriously and continually pray that God will use me as a vessel to reach this community.
Jim Duflo
Newberry, MI
Jim and Krisi Duflo have two daughters and reside in Newberry Michigan. Jim is a Pastor in Newberry Michigan at Living Water Church. Jim has watched his nephew journey through TIN as a young participant graduating and becoming a mentor.
“I have personally watched God’s hand grow Truth in Nature from the very beginning and how it impacts these young men to grow into true men of God by making right choices for their future.
Ronnie Alpha
Bush, LA
Ronnie lives in Bush LA. He and his wife Lisa have been married for 33 years. They have one son.
Ronnie owns Alpha’s Taxidermy and does some of the best work in LA. “I feel truly blessed to be the Program Director of the Bush Chapter. It’s an honor to serve in God’s ministry at such a position. I’m grateful for where He has me, and how He continues to lead and guide me.”
Bart Hardison
Apex, NC
Mckenzie and I have been married since 2006 and have two Children, Eli and Mary Marshall. Since our marriage we have been actively seeking to deepen our relationship with Jesus Christ both together in our marriage and individually through different ministries. My passion for the outdoors and my involvement in my church led me to Truth In Nature 3 years ago. Knowing the struggles that young men are facing in today’s world has ignited a fire in me to teach them about the love of Christ and what it means to be a follower. It is my hope to lead young men to be followers and disciples of Jesus Christ while strengthening my faith and walk with him along the way.
Daniel Beckham
Regional Director
Daniel resides in Camden South Carolina with Kayla, his wife of eleven years, and his three daughters, Charlotte, Penelope, and Violet. He’s worked as a manager for Cal-Maine Foods for 13 years.
“Growing up in a stable family and having my Dad as my best friend makes my heart break for those who are missing that opportunity.” Daniel is excited to watch God work in the lives of young men who need an opportunity to hear the gospel message. “
jeff glaze
Carrollton, GA
Jeff is a long time resident of Temple and graduate of Temple High School where he met hiswife Tammy. Jeff and Tammy have been married for 28 years and have one daughter Kristen and one granddaughter Kassidy. Jeff and Tammy are members of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Temple. Jeff is a Machinist by trade and works at Medline Industries in Lithia Springs. Growing up with a father that was able and willing to teach me everything that he could makes me truly understand the great need and work of this ministry. Tammy and I are excited to serve and be part of a group the is lead by God to impact these young men.
Country Tynes
Franklinton, LA
Brian Burchett
Cullman, AL
Matt Yaun
Charleston, SC
Matt Yaun is married to Beth and they are members of Kings Cross Church in Charleston, SC. They have a daughter, Dorothy, and two sons Matthew and Burket. Originally from NC and a graduate of Davidson College, he originally came to Charleston as a special operations navigator for the US Air Force. While stationed in Charleston he transitioned to fly the C-17 as a pilot for the Air Force reserves where he retired in 2018.
Matt serves his church as a part of the security team, and has a long history of service as a Sunday School teacher and youth program leader. He loves being outdoors in a variety of settings including camping, hiking, hunting and fishing. He enjoys it the most when accompanied by his family and friends. He feels called to this opportunity to mentor fatherless boys and prays his efforts will glorify God and support growth of His kingdom.
Dan Hoptroff
Dallas, GA
Tony Doolittle
Newnan, GA
Tony and his wife, Jennifer, have been married for 12 years and have recently moved to Woodbury, GA to their “dream home” where Tony is able to hunt and enjoy the outdoors. They are a blended family with 5 children and 7 grandchildren and two fur-babies. Tony retired from Delta Air Lines in 2005. He has worked with children and young people most of his life, having coached & umpired high school baseball and fast-pitch softball. Having been a single parent, he understands the importance of young people having godly role models in their lives. One of his greatest passions is serving in children’s ministry at his church in Newnan and sharing Christ with the next generation.
“It is a great pleasure to be part of Truth in Nature and to have the opportunity to help young men experience our Father’s love through the splendor and beauty of His creation. We are truly blessed by an awesome God! I am excited to have the opportunity to combine my love for the outdoors with my passion for ministering to kids.”
Steve Jarrett
East Columbia, SC
Steve is married to his best friend Libby Jarrett and have 3 adult children. They also have a beautiful 8 month old granddaughter, the joy of their life. Steve enjoys singing, playing his guitar and is a member of a local band. He has served our country as an EOD Tech in the Air Force and is now retired from International Paper. His main goal in life is to protect and serve others the way God instructs us to do. Serving as a youth leader and worship leader over the years has put him in the position to share God’s love with others. Steve has been a mentor in Truth and Nature for 4 years and has enjoyed every minute of it. At Truth In Nature events, he loves watching young men start their day unsure of themselves and ending the day with so much confidence in their abilities. Steve feels like being a part of helping young men believe in themselves and more importantly believe in God is the greatest gift he could ever receive.” It’s not about us, it’s all about HIM “ is his favorite saying. Truth and Nature is a very important part of his life and he is happy to be a part of it .
Alex Murray
Hampton, SC
Alex lives in Varnville, SC with his loving wife Jenny. They have three daughters, Danielle, Breyann, and Taylor. Alex is full-time Firefighter and Paramedic with SRS Fire Department. He also served 9 years in the Marine Corps. Alex attends Varnville First Baptist Church.
“The chance to see God influence the life of these young men and see where it will lead them is an amazing privilege”
Robert Foster
Gallatin, TN
Robert lives in Gallatin, TN with his wife, Jennifer. They have been married for 27 years and have two children. Their son Drew is married and they have a daughter, Rachel. Robert is a Sr. Divisional EHS Manager for Carlisle Construction Materials and is based out of Gallatin, TN.
Robert was actively involved in his church’s youth group as a leader and mentor while his children were growing up. He and his wife also started the Henry County Georgia 4H Archery program and ran it for 10 years prior to moving to Tennessee. Robert is an avid mountain biker and loves being outdoors hunting deer and turkey or going to traditional archery shoots. He started hunting with his father when he was young and still hunts with his father today. “I was blessed to have a father who shared his love of the outdoors with me. It is a bond that we still have today and I want to be able to pass these experiences along to boys who don’t have a father in their life.” We are excited to begin our journey with Truth In Nature and see what God has in store for our local community!
Chris Speir
Picayune, MS
Ken Schaeffer
Yankton, SD
Dane Kennedy
Pearl River, LA
Dane and his wife Terry are lifelong residents of the Pearl River area. They have 3 children and 4 grandchildren. Dane grew up in the woods and on the water in the piney woods and swamps of the Pearl River basin.
Dane has operated Community Based homes for adolescent boys and was a State of Louisiana Foster Parent. He is active in ministry within the church he and Terry attend. Dane preaches and teaches at other churches as well.
Dane owns and operates 2 businesses providing services for domestic and global clients in the areas of International Standards Organizations Management Systems primarily for Quality, Environmental and Occupational Health.
“Truth in Nature is a wonderful ministry which will have a lasting effect on all involved.”
“God centered mentorship and discipline is needed in every community”.
Chad Pyke
Charlotte, NC
Chad and his wife, Tori, were married in June of 2020 and currently live in Charlotte, North Carolina. Chad works for an insurance broker in Charlotte, and Tori works for KIND Snacks. They spent the first year of their marriage living in Maine where they discovered their love for hiking and exploring God’s creation. They currently attend Life Church in Charlotte’s South End and have a desire to engage their community with the Gospel.
David Emery
Bunnell, FL
David and his wife Sandy live in the north east Florida community of Espanola. They have two daughters, Haley and Grace. David has worked in the electrical construction industry for over 30 years, and is a lifelong Flagler County, Florida resident. He and his wife attend EPIC Church of Palm Coast where they both serve on a regular basis. David is an avid outdoorsman who loves to spend time in the woods, especially hunting deer and turkeys. His family has been involved in cattle, farming, and the outdoors since the early 1900’s.
David’s calling to mentor young men comes from being a child of divorce himself at an early age. And although he had a father in his life, it was not always consistent, so he identifies with those who may be in the same situation, or even without a father altogether. His desire to help these young men has led him to start the first Truth in Nature Chapter in Florida.
Jeff Walker
Carrabelle, FL
Jeff and his family recently moved to Carrabelle, Florida from GA. He and his wife, Nancy, have been married for 30 years. They have one daughter, Addie, and are members of Fellowship Baptist Church. Jeff has worked as an electro-mechanical technician since 2005 and is now semi-retired. He has been an avid fisherman and hunter all of his life. Jeff enjoys the outdoors and is excited about sharing his love for Jesus through God’s beautiful creation.
Mark Crandall
Mark Crandall and his wife, Amy have two children and reside in Mayville, New York. Both have called Chautauqua county home their whole lives. Mark currently teaches fourth grade at Southwestern Elementary School. His 15 years of teaching experience has allowed him to see firsthand the need for positive male role models. “I have always loved everything outdoors and when I was introduced to Truth in Nature I knew it was something that could benefit our community. Being able to help these boys grow into the young men that God intends them to be is a privilege and I’m excited to see the change it brings to everyone around them.”
Dillion Huffine
Franklin, KY
Dillion and Brandi Huffine have been married for 5 years. They met in 9th grade and have been going strong since. They have one beautiful daughter Berkley and another on the way.
As a Millwright Dillion has a degree in Industrial Maintenance and loves working with his hands. He also loves anything to do with the outdoors where he can explore God’s creation in pure form. Coming from a home where he never saw his Mom or Dad apart he has a heart for the kids that don’t get that same experience. He hopes to give a bit of light into their lives!
