Mark Wright grew up seeing a deep burden for world missions from his grandparents, Jim and Marty Welch.  Local missions was the heartbeat of his grandfather, Jim.  He was instrumental in helping start two powerful local ministries (Lighthouse Ministries and Lakeland Christian School) in the town where Mark grew up. Seeing the impact those two ministries has had on the Lakeland community has challenged Mark to see the vision God has given him take shape and be used as a tool to win souls for Christ.  

Using sports as that tool just made sense to Mark.  He has had a passion for sports since he was old enough to take part in them and kept that love and enthusiasm all the way through his football career. Mark still holds two school records at ASU for (longest field goal at 57 yards and most consecutive field goals, 16). 

Mark graduated from Appalachian State with a Bachelors degree in Business Administration.  He then went into the corporate sector for seven years and God has used every step of his career since then to prepare him for this task. It is Marks fervent desire to use his past business experience and education to go about his "Father's business" and see people come to Christ and/or strengthen their walk with Him.

In 2008 Mark knew that it was time to submit to a calling God had started placing on his heart in college and that was to begin a sports ministry. He had a vision to do a sports ministry unlike any that he had ever worked with while in high school and collegiate sports.  His mission was to disciple professional athletes in their walk with Christ and then give them opportunities to reach out to orphans and disadvantaged youth. Idols Aside Ministries launched to fulfill that calling in January 2009. Since January of 2009, Idols Aside has seen hundreds of decisions for Christ on and off of fields, courts, classrooms, locker rooms and on international mission trips. They have also been instrumental in growing and developing relationships with professional athletes in the NFL, MLB, NHL and Professional Wakeboarding for the cause of discipling these men and furthering the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Becky was born into a family in full time Christian service. Her father, Edward K. Brown Jr., has dedicated his life to leading and strengthening churches and Bible schools all over the world.  Although she has always shared her parents burden for missions, it was not what she has been involved in full time either.

A graduate of Florida Southern College in Lakeland, she went into the non-profit sector straight out of FSC.  Being hired as the Public Relations Director of the Polk County Chapter of American Red Cross prepared her for a role at Samaritans Purse after marrying Mark and joining him in Boone, North Carolina. After relocating back to central Florida, God called Becky into a career that she considers a daily ministry, teaching.  Although teaching will always be near and dear to her heart God is now allowing her to be full time at home and a support to Idols Aside.

Mark and Becky were given the amazing joy of becoming parents in July of 2006 and March of 2010.  Grace Ann and Hope Lynn continue to add light and life to their home and to their ministry. Their girls have taught them so much more about their Fathers love and the amazing sacrifice He made in giving his only Son. Their passion now is one thing... introducing others to the one and only true living God and challenging them to have "no other Gods" before Him!

Jeff Shills is from Lakeland, FL and graduated from the University of Florida in 2002. He recommitted his life to Christ in 2009 and since has been dedicated to bringing the lost to Know, Love, and Obey our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Matt. 28: 19-20. For the past 13 years, Jeff has been married to a beautiful woman of God named Molly and they are parents to 4 active and amazing children; Cameron(13yrs), Tucker(11yrs), Lillian(7yrs), and sweet Baby Hannah(3mos). Jeff spent 9 years, prior to being called to IAM, in the diverse and fast paced agriculture/produce industry, specializing in buying and operations from farm to the customer’s door. God called the Shills home from Delray Beach, FL in February of 2016 to be closer to family and focus more deeply on God’s calling for their family. Jeff and Molly could not be more humbled by the opportunity to walk alongside Mark, Becky, the IAM staff and partners to reach fatherless and troubled youth for Christ. They have committed to Follow the Lord to every corner that they are Called. Galatians 6:9 For let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the appropriate time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Joel was born in Avon Park, FL and raised in Frostproof, FL. Today he resides in Frostproof with his beautiful wife Amberly whom he married in May of 2016. He and Amberly met their junior years where they both graduated Frostproof Middle/Senior High School in 2013. Joel and Amberly have committed their lives to helping others dissect and study God’s word through bible studies with youth, young adults, and men from their home church of First Baptist of Frostproof. Joel is beyond excited and humbled to bring his love of God’s word to the IAM team; to help disciple fatherless youth and the men that will come alongside him in battle!

Joel’s journey with Christ began at a young age as he was saved at 7 years old. Joel’s personal relationship with Christ has remained his TOP priority because of the daily example of Jesus he experienced lived out through his parents Rodolfo and Maria. Jesus has molded all aspects of Joel’s life; personal, church, and through his previous career as God called him into numerous leadership roles. It was in these moments that Joel was able to mature and gain experience of what it looked to live out Christ in all things! Joel’s focus now is to follow God’s will for his life (James 4:13-17) and to become the man God created him to be.

Prior to joining the IAM team, Joel worked for a healthy and growing supply chain company, that provided many opportunities for Joel and his family. He started in March 2016 and stepped away in March 2023. 

For the past 3+ years, Joel became aware of his call to serve God in full time ministry. God opened this door wide in April of 2023 when Joel said yes to join the team at Idols Aside Ministries. (Matthew 5:14-16)

Matthew Gilbert resides in Paducah, KY with his lovely wife, Cheyenne Gilbert. The high school sweethearts have been happily married since October of 2019. Prior to surrendering to ministry, Matthew worked as a Radiation Technician after graduating with a Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering.  In 2022, Matthew answered his call into ministry and began working in his home church as a ministry intern while starting his Masters of Divinity. Shortly after, he and his wife were called to fill the role in the church’s kid ministry program. Matthew continues to serve as their part-time kid’s pastor, and has accepted the part-time position with Idols Aside with a humble and grateful heart. Through his journey in ministry, he refers to 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 to draw strength to continue to obey the Lord.

Jace has been involved in full-time ministry since 2017 when God called him to sell his martial arts school and chase after God’s call into youth ministry. For 6 years, Jace lit the fire of students, passionate about discipleship and showing each student the heart God has for them. A few years into serving full-time in the church, Jace was introduced to Idols Aside. After discovering the mission of the ministry, it was a no-brainer to begin volunteering. Since 2020, Jace has witnessed young men and women give their lives to Christ through the ministry of Idols Aside, and having front-row seats to these life-changing moments has made it all the more fulfilling.

Growing up in Tennessee set the stage for Jace to relate to the young men this ministry serves and has allowed Jace to witness God work all things together. It was not uncommon for Jace to be found hunting or fishing, but what God has really been able to use for His glory and work together for good was the absence of his biological father. Growing up, Jace had questions about his birth father and often felt a void. It wasn’t until he felt God calling him down the aisle at his grandmother’s church to fully submit to Him that he began to feel hope. All the questions that these young men may have about their earthly fathers, Jace understands; but more than that, He knows a Heavenly father that can mend and heal all wounds.

Jace is a two-time collegiate national Judo champion, has trained military members in hand-to-hand combat, is an ordained pastor, and holds certifications in both spiritual formation and life coaching. His favorite ministry has been to his family, his wife of 7 years, Emily, and their two-year-old son, Elias. He believes that God has given him these passions, giftings, and positions to walk beside others, compassionately and confidently discipling them as they pursue the life-transforming power and truth of Jesus.

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