About Refuge
In 2007, I wanted to make sure my friends were doing good, so we went fishing. Along the way, we’ve realized how powerful that simple thing is; just hanging out.
And since then, we haven’t stopped…
We have enjoyed making many new friends and seeing them filled to the brim with fresh life.
– Brian Carpenter
Our Board
ARMANDO FULLWOOD
During his 32 years as a designer and mixing engineer, Armando has gained a diverse and wide-ranging experience that he brings to projects and clients. He has supervised the design and management of more than 600 AVL projects both nationally and internationally, bringing a depth of design, construction and integration experience to our team.
Over the years, Armando has served as touring audio engineer for Israel Houghton and New Breed, as well as applied his skills to many live recording projects worldwide. Armando maintains certificates in Sound Reinforcement Theory and Sound System Optimization, and is active as an audio engineer for Elevation Church.
In addition to his strategic leadership, Armando is a partner in Innovates Group, a former board member of GlobalNeed.org, and has worked in Global Missions with SIM International Missions Organization.
FRED GRAY
Fred is the Senior Executive Pastor at Real Life Church, a multisite non- denominational church focused on the unchurched de-churched of Southern California. Honored to be the husband of Christy for 26 years, father to 5 awesome kids, grandfather, UCLA Bruin through and through, Patriot’s fan from when it wasn’t popular, Fred’s passion is serving others in the process of building leaders and influencing the Kingdom in any way possible. His professional skills were honed in the banking industry, as a staffing executive and as a managing director for a national CPA firm focused on Fortune 500 clients. His resume suggests an executive that can build teams, create organizational infrastructure and get results.
“The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly”. —Jim Rohn
Lance Witt
Lance is the founder of REPLENISH ministries. Replenish is dedicated to helping people in ministry live and lead from a healthy soul.
Along with speaking and consulting Lance does Life Plans, individual life coaching, and team development. Lance has a brand new book called Your ONE Life: Own it, Live it, Love it. He is also the author of Replenish and High Impact Teams.
Lance served 20 years as a senior pastor before serving 7 years as an Executive/Teaching pastor at Saddleback Church in Southern California. He led Saddleback’s Spiritual Growth Campaigns, such as 40 Days of Purpose and 40 Days of Community.
Lance has been married to his wife Connie for 42 years and they have two married children and four beautiful granddaughters.
Brian Carpenter
At his core Brian Carpenter has an entrepreneurial spirit. His personal experiences are the genesis behind Refuge. As a pastor, Brian knows the isolation, stress and challenges non-profit leadership can bring about. Brian has a passion to see leaders emerge from isolation into deep and meaningful relationships, relax in comfortable atmospheres and receive the types of coaching that bring about real health. Brian’s unique perspective as a pastor and businessman are invaluable to the team.
Brian and the love of his life, DeAnn have made the decision for years to spend their lives in commitment to leaders who are changing the world. In 2008 they started a coffee bar in Billings, MT that focused on making peoples lives better. They have a son, Asher and a daughter Ruby who they dream will leave a legacy of love for Christ and for His Church.
Crull Chambless
As board chair, Crull served in the trenches of full-time ministry for over 15 years ranging church consulting, leading worship and executive leadership and is committed to the local church, and helping pastors thrive. He married Ashley in 1996 and together they have three children.
He is also the founder and owner of Shepherd Holdings, which owns a series of businesses from digital marketing, data mining, SaaS software, and consulting that help marketplace leaders and non-profits reach their goals.
Crull has lived on the edge of burnout and identifies first hand the need to support and champion World Changers. He is an avid golfer and also serves on the board for Replenish Ministry and Harvest Church.
Dale Williams
As a son, grandson, and great grandson of full-time pastors, Dale has the first hand knowledge of the rigors of pastoral issues. As President of a family foundation in Eugene, Oregon, he has insight into the intricacies of the non-profit world. Dale brings a personal passion to change our world by helping to keep the world changers healthy and productive.