Bryce Johnson is the President and Founder of UNPACKIN’ it® Ministries, a nonprofit organization launched in 2014, with a mission to challenge, encourage, and inspire sports fans to follow Jesus and become more like Him.
Having a passion for seeing sports fans everywhere following Jesus, Bryce relates sports stories to life and faith through his writing and speaking, and while hosting podcasts.
Following his Appalachian State University graduation where he received a Communications/Electronic Media Broadcasting degree, Bryce hosted syndicated radio shows that were heard on Christian stations, as well as, SiriusXM’s Dan Patrick Channel, Sports Byline USA Network, and ESPN Charlotte.
Author of The Fantasy Football Fellowship Playbook, and his new book, The Sports Devotional, released in April 2024, Bryce also contributes to the Bible App, Promise Keepers, Sports Spectrum, Salem Web Network, and AthletesInAction.org.
Bryce is based in Charlotte, North Carolina where he lives with his wife, Jodi, and daughters, Maddie and Mikayla. His favorite sports teams include the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Hornets, LA Lakers, and Duke basketball.
You can connect with Bryce at brycejohnson@unpackinit.com.
Darla Johnson is the Co-Founder and Vice President of UNPACKIN’ it, Ministries. She began the journey with Bryce when they launched his college-created show, SPORTS YAPP®, in Charlotte, NC in 2009.
Earning a Journalism degree from Valparaiso University in Indiana and graduating from Denver Paralegal Institute in Colorado, Darla is a former paralegal, has held staff and leadership positions at local churches, and has written feature articles for various publications.
Darla enjoys the opportunity to impact God’s kingdom by writing content and creating graphics for our marketing materials and website; editing our weekday devotional and other resources like The Fantasy Football Fellowship Playbook and the Bible App; communicating with donors, and organizing UNPACKIN’ it events.
Married to her husband, Dean, for 39 years, they live near Mountain Island Lake in NC, and within minutes of their three grown sons and wives, and seven grandchildren.
Grant Giesler serves as Director of Marketing for UNPACKIN’ it. Before joining the team, Grant served for 17 years at two local churches in Charlotte – Hickory Grove Baptist and First Baptist Charlotte. In addition, Grant also worked with three Charlotte-based non-profits, Youth Commission, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, and most recently, Red Truck Men.
Grant holds a Bachelor’s degree from Liberty University and a Master of Divinity degree from Southeastern Seminary in Wake Forest.
Outside of Jesus, the best part of life according to Grant is his wife and best friend, Cassie, and their four kids – Madelyn, Nolan, Nash, and Mason. After Christ and family, sits a deep love for sports.
Matt Osborne is a Staff Writer, Editor, and Podcast/Video Producer for UNPACKIN’ it Ministries. With a background in sports media and church ministry, UNPACKIN’ it is a perfect fit for two of his favorite interests: Jesus and sports!
Matt assists UNPACKIN’ it by writing and editing our email and Bible App devotionals, along with the ministry’s small group curriculum. He also plays a role in helping with the video production of The UNPACKIN’ it Podcast and The Fantasy Football Fellowship Podcast.
Living in Georgia with his wife, Bryana, and children, David and Charlotte, a few of Matt’s favorite activities include taking family walks, reading Christian books, and fellowshipping with believers at his local church.
Matt Dukes is UNPACKIN’ it’s Director of Finance and Administration. He has successfully worked in accounting and finance for over 34 years, including multiple industries as an AVP of finance and investments, a public accountant, and a financial controller for various for-profit and not-for-profit organizations.
Originally from Ohio, Matt has a BS in Accounting from Pensacola Christian College, is an Advanced QB Certified ProAdvisor, Certified ProAdvisor Payroll, and is a registered IRS tax preparer.
Married to his wife, Katharine, for 26 years, Matt enjoys volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, and Loaves and Fishes. He’s a 1983 state champion soccer player, and in his free time enjoys ALL organized sports with his adult son. GO BUCKS! Go Browns!
Board
Justin Ckezepis grew up in the Charlotte area. He first met Bryce while attending Appalachian State University, and will likely tell you that Bryce gave him his first “big break” when letting him operate the board during Bryce’s campus show, SPORTS YAPP.
After graduating with a Communications/Electronic Media Broadcasting degree, Justin attended law school. He became a licensed North Carolina attorney and started a real estate transaction firm. Justin exited his practice in 2021 and now focuses on Real Estate Development.
Justin currently resides in Cornelius, North Carolina with his wife, Demi, and two children, Noah, and Emi Rae. He enjoys spending time with his family, boating on Lake Norman, and rooting for the Charlotte Panthers, Hornets, and Hounds.
Ray McKay Hardee is the Lead Pastor and Cultural Architect at The Pointe Church and continues to teach as an Adjunct Professor of Human Services at Gardner-Webb University. He specializes in Community Cultural Architecture, stewarding time and influence to draw the community together for greater purposes.
Currently studying for a Ph.D. In Leadership Studies, Ray holds a Master’s Degree in Religion from Harvard University and Counseling from UNCC and has done additional study at Regent’s Park College of Oxford University, GWU Divinity School, Southwestern Seminary, and Southeastern Seminary.
Married to his Gardner-Webb University sweetheart, Andrea, Ray has three children, Anna, Alex, and Abigail, and three grandchildren, Ella, Easton, and Blake. He humbly shares with others, “I’m a NOBODY telling EVERYBODY about the ONE BODY who can save ANYBODY and make them SOMEBODY in HIM.”
Anthony Eshaghi has spent the majority of his career in the technology consulting industry serving in multiple leadership roles. He currently leads the manufacturing and distribution industry for Torrent Consulting, a mid-size Salesforce and business process consulting firm. In addition, he previously served as the lead elder for The Pointe Church.
As a lifelong UVA and Buffalo Bills fan, he enjoys watching both football and basketball. In his spare time, he is active in his church and likes to hike in the mountains, go boating on Lake Wylie, and attend live music/sporting events.
Growing up in Virginia and graduating from Radford University, Anthony has lived in the Charlotte area since 2002. He is married to his amazing wife, Andrea, and is blessed with three children, Eden, Evelyn, and Abram.
Scott Absher began his entrepreneurial education at a young age, growing up and working in a family-owned small business before, and while attending Appalachian State University where he received a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Finance and Insurance.
After a 30-year career at Prudential, holding many key roles as a financial professional, Scott became involved in start-up businesses, limited partnerships, and consulting with successful franchise owners.
Humility, trust, transparency, and resilience are some of his core values, and he believes in giving back. Scott has played key mentorship roles across the corporate organization and in his personal life, devoting many volunteer hours teaching financial stewardship at his church and working in non-profits as a consultant. An integral part of Scott’s life is his family, faith, and community.
Patrick McAuley is a believer, father, husband, and partner at Grant Thornton LLP. Introduced to Bryce and UNPACKIN’ it through a few mutual friends, he feels called to serve the ministry and is honored to be on the Board to help convey UNPACKIN’ it’s message.
Patrick resides in Charlotte, North Carolina with his wife, Marcy, and three children, Reagan, Rose, and Johnny. When he’s not chasing after the kids or working a deal, he likes to be outside golfing, skiing, or hiking…and is an avid sports fan.
Casey Shannon is the Executive Director of From His Heart Ministries and has served in media ministry leadership since 2015. His passion is looking for new ways to connect as many people as possible to the life-transforming power of the gospel and help them develop a personal relationship with Jesus.
After earning a degree at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, LA, and having a twelve-year career in broadcast and corporate communications management, Casey was called into media ministry leadership. He currently maintains roles in both the faith-based and business communities.
Griffin Gum is a native of Charlotte, North Carolina. He played college baseball at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he met his wife, Kassidy, originally from Nebraska. After spending seven great years in Omaha where they started their family, they currently reside in Fort Mill, SC, and are thrilled to live in the south.
Griffin works at Rosegate Mortgage as a Loan Pro helping people accomplish the goal of buying a home. He first met Bryce while interning for UNPACKIN’ it in 2015, and he has always supported Bryce’s vision of unifying sports fans who want to pursue Jesus and are called according to His purposes.
Griffin and Kassidy have three children, Karsyn, Leighton, and Hudson. With a passion for sports, Fantasy sports, and the analytics behind them, Griffin most importantly loves people and desires to be a light for Jesus in all aspects of life.
