Stallions Coach Skip Holtz: Bringing Championships to the Magic City

Jennifer and Skip Holtz

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With two championship seasons already under their belts, Coach Skip Holtz and the Birmingham Stallions look to win an unprecedented third title for the Magic City in the United Football League. Coach Holtz and his wife Jennifer have made Birmingham their home during the football season, and say they feel comfortable and welcome in the city that prides itself as a football capital of the South. “We absolutely have fallen in love with the city of Birmingham,” Jennifer Holtz said. 

Jennifer and Skip Holtz
Jennifer is a huge supporter of the Birmingham Stallions and can’t wait to cheer the team on this season. “Knowing how difficult it is to three-peat is both challenging and extremely motivating,” she said. “Our Stallions team will be ready to play. That I know!”

Champions x Two. The Birmingham Stallions won the United States Football League (USFL) in 2022 and 2023, beating the Philadelphia Stars and Pittsburgh Maulers in the title games. For this season, the USFL combined with the XFL to create the UFL; the new football league is owned and operated by actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. The team continues to play its games at Protective Stadium in downtown Birmingham and is in the midst of the season, which began on March 30 and ends on June 1, although the team hopes to extend its season into the playoffs and try for a “three-peat” of championships.

Coach Holtz has been at the helm of the team for all of its seasons and says that it will be a challenge to win another title. The new makeup of the UFL has 8 teams, instead of the 16 in prior seasons, making the league and teams stronger. “The league is much more talented now because there’s a real dispersal of talent and teams are starting over again,” he said. “The league’s going to be much better, and we’re trying to be as good as we have in the past.” Also important will be the quality of play from its high-profile players. Former Alabama running back Bo Scarbrough recently announced his retirement from football, and last year’s league MVP quarterback Alex McGough moved onto the NFL after the season. Fans, though, will have new stars to look forward to– with potential quarterbacks being Stallions returner J’Mar Smith, former Ole Miss player Matt Corral, and former Nebraska player Adrian Martinez in the mix. Of the newcomers, Holtz said they are “two great people, two extremely talented quarterbacks, both their arms and their legs.” Holtz said that the play from all of the teams in the league will make it an exciting season for football in Birmingham. “I’ve truly been blessed throughout all of the seasons of this sport over the years, and I’ve loved everything about it. From practicing with college guys in the spring to sitting down with recruits in their homes. It’s all been a blessing,” he said. “And now to get to coach in this league, in the spring again. It’s exciting, and I think the fans have a lot to look forward to.”

Jennifer Holtz and Skip Holtz
Skip Holtz said some of his fondest memories of his childhood and youth were helping on the football field. “I’d be a ball boy, or help equipment people pull out gear,” he said. “I didn’t think I would go into this business until it was time to leave the game. And then I realized I wanted to coach.”

According to Jennifer, she and her husband have become passionate both about the team and its future, but also with Birmingham in general. “Our previous visits were always football related, coming in and out to play UAB or at the Papa John’s Bowl in 2006,” she said. “But now I’ve had more time to explore and learn the city.” She mentioned the team’s experiences at Children’s Hospital as one exemplary example. “We had a player visit Children’s and the staff blew my socks off,” she said. “It truly was the most memorable day.” Holtz emphasized that they’ve come to appreciate Birmingham, especially the downtown area where they have lived during their two seasons with the Stallions. They’ve lived both by Railroad Park and by Pepper Place. “The city has great restaurants, great people, and we’ve had an awesome experience in Birmingham,” he said. “It’s so welcoming, and it’s really what I like to call a little big town. All the appeal of a big town with the welcome of a small town.” While in Birmingham, the Holtz family worships at St. Paul’s Catholic Church downtown; Jennifer said that the church has “one of the most beautiful cathedrals” she’s ever seen and that she especially appreciates the choir and the strong sense of family throughout the congregation. The move to Birmingham came after many stops along the way playing and then coaching football at all levels of the sport.

A Legacy of Winning. Holtz’s father is legendary football coach Lou Holtz, who won a national championship at Notre Dame in 1988 and went on to become a popular commentator for ESPN and other outlets. His father has influenced Coach Holtz all along his journey as a football coach.  Born in Connecticut, Holtz grew up in college towns across the country where his father coached; he graduated from high school in Fayetteville while his father coached at the University of Arkansas and then joined his father at Notre Dame after enrolling for two years at nearby Holy Cross. At Notre Dame, he walked on and played on special teams. When he was finished playing, Holtz realized that he wanted to stay in the game–despite never making that plan for himself and hearing from his father to not follow in his footsteps. “I realized that I want to coach, I want to be a graduate assistant,” he recalled. “I went to Florida State, met my wife there, and it was the best time in my life. And I never wanted to do anything else from that moment on.” Holtz served as an assistant coach at South Carolina, Notre Dame, and Florida State and as the head coach at Connecticut, Louisiana Tech, South Florida, and East Carolina. Most recently he served as a special assistant to Northwestern University’s interim head coach last year after its coach was fired amid controversy. 

Skip Holtz with Lou Holtz
Of his father (legendary college coach Lou Holtz), Skip said that he truly has had a lifetime of learning from him. “I was in a home with him for 18 years, but then I got to spend time on the field with him as well,” he said. “There’s so much I learned from him.”

“I love coaching football and am passionate about leading young men to achieve their very best,” Holtz said about his decision to help Northwestern during the UFL offseason. That dedication to the players he coaches has been just one of the many lessons and motivations that Holtz learned from his father. Chief among the lessons from his father was a sense of optimism; he always taught him that success in life is about the right attitude. “One of the greatest gifts he gave me is that I choose whether to be happy or sad. He taught me that you can’t get in a bad mood without your own permission,” he said. The most important lesson, however, that his father and his mother Beth gave him was a reliance on faith. When his father came to Notre Dame, it was a dream come true for a family rooted deeply in the Catholic faith. And when his mother Beth passed away in 2020 after a two-decades-long battle with throat cancer, Holtz described his mother as “an incredibly religious woman who was the glue to this family.” He adds that the faith he was taught by his parents has become the force that helps him through the challenges that come his way– whether on a football field or in life in general. “You can’t do it without a Higher Power, and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ,” he said. “It’s like the whole ‘footprints in the sand’ idea. He carries you through the difficult times.”. 

Family Heritage. That focus on faith continued as the Holtzes started their own family. “I was raised in a loving and nurturing family environment, and our Catholic faith was the foundation of my morals and ethics,” Jennifer said. “My father in particular walked by faith and lived it daily. He taught me discipline and devotion to prayer.” As she and her husband raised their children Trey, Chad, and Hailey, they instilled the same values in their lives.

Holtz family
Celebrating his 60th birthday in March, Coach Holtz reflected on what he calls a “blessed life.” He said he’s been blessed with wonderful opportunities and feels like he’s “never had to work a day in my life.”

Today, the Holtz family spreads far and wide as their children serve in both sports-related and other careers. Their oldest son Trey played college football at the University of Texas and currently serves as an offensive analyst coaching quarterbacks at LSU. Middle son Chad played basketball at Notre Dame and today works for Andor Health in Orlando. Daughter Hailey graduated from Louisiana Tech and works as a football operations director for the Seattle Seahawks. Growing up in a football family taught their children important lessons. “Not only did our children grow up alongside other coaches’ kids, but they got to see young men handle adversity and success,” Jennifer said. “We felt the thrill of victory and suffered together through losses and injuries. It fosters great humility when everyone is vested in the outcome. And building lasting relationships beyond the football field has been a blessing for us all.”

As they look back on their experiences both in coaching and parenting, the Holtzes said that they can see God’s direction in the places they’ve been, the teams they’ve served, and the lessons they’ve learned. “It’s no understatement to say our faith has guided every decision we’ve made and through an unwavering trust in God’s grace we know to believe that His ways are greater than ours,” Jennifer said. And their advice to parents and families today? “Love big and pray constantly.”

-Cheryl Wray

 

 

Hegseth at Talladega Superspeedway

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Education stirs images of schools, classrooms, students, and teachers. For Peter Brian Hegseth, education tilts in other directions. As a matter of fact, whether it’s in his speaking engagements, television appearances, military service, or his career in general, Hegseth’s being revolves around three foundations he deems vital: faith, family, and freedom.

Pete Hegseth
Hegseth is the host of the recently released FOX Nation special, Poison Ivy, which examines the controversies surrounding Ivy League schools. Hegseth has an undergraduate degree from Princeton and a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard.

Education: Faith & Family. Pete and Jenny Hegseth live in Middle Tenn. and have seven children—all of whom they pray grow up to love God and country and to value freedom. Hegseth is the biological father of four of the children and stepfather to three; however, he rejects that title—saying they “are a family brought together by the grace of God. There are no ‘steps’ or ‘halves’ in the Hegseth clan.” He believes the lack of fathers—of men—in too many modern American families is a catastrophe. “Fathers chart the course and lead the path for their families and kids; a path that should lead to Jesus Christ.” Brought up by Christian parents whose beliefs paralleled the Baptist church, Pete’s home life was not political but was very faith and family based. Teenaged Pete gave his life to Christ, during the formative part of his upbringing. In retrospect—partly because of the work he has done in education—he recognizes the separation of his church life from school life. He got a secular education with all its influences and concludes, “It’s fair to say I had a Christian veneer but a secular core and thought I was ready to go out into the world and profess Christ. I wasn’t,” he says, adding, “My compartmentalized faith went with me to Princeton where I got involved in policies and took a class on Christianity that I presumed would explain the gospels. Taught by an atheist famous for studying the gnostic gospels, the professor believed Jesus died, was buried in a shallow grave, and was eaten by dogs. I realized I was not prepared to combat such thinking and went to the library to read dusty books that pointed to and explained the veracity of the gospels. Defending my faith became an academic endeavor because I sensed faith and the Bible were good. As my pastor pointed out ‘many people miss Jesus by 12 inches—the distance from their head to their heart.’ I fell squarely into that category.” 

Hegseth Family
The Hegseth family of nine. The family lives in Middle Tenn.

“About 2018 I entered the Colts Neck Community Church with my wife (who was wary of what evangelical Baptists were like), and faith became real. Within 20 minutes we felt at home. The pastor spoke about his broken family past—I’m broken, you’re broken, we’re all broken and careening around not living our faith and not being deeply rooted. I thought I had to be perfect. Let’s be candid about it: Seek Christ, fully submit to Him, and allow Him Kingship in life! God’s perfect law of liberty that sets me free is Jesus—not perfection, legalism, or anything else.” He adds that inviting Jesus into his heart and life “has been edifying and liberating. I’m trying to reverse engineer that into my kids—waking up every day and knowing Who’s in charge, and it’s not me.”

“Experiences in academia helped reorder my heart and mind. I lived in a world of politics, culture, and fast-paced media that can become a person’s identity. I didn’t want my kids to think of all that first; faith, family, and freedom became three strands of the cord for my devotion—faith in Jesus Christ, kids in their schools, adults in their country and freedoms. I am devoted to preserving the posterity our country has had. I’m grateful to have a voice on Fox, but the question is still ‘What can I [we] do?’ Begin with faith and family. If we aren’t contributing, then we’re a part of the downfall of our tradition. Our individual family stories are the stories of our nation. If in three generations we can go from faithful Christian households to anti-American households, we are toast. We stand in the wreckage wondering if we can rebuild.” Part of preserving that posterity comes through the Hegseth family’s interest in Classical Christian education. After considerable research and numerous visits to several accredited schools in Fla., N.C., and Tenn., the family found Jonathan Edwards Classical Academy in Whites Creek, Tenn.—a small, country, blue-collar classical Christian school. 

Hegseth at Talladega Superspeedway
Pete Hegseth visited Alabama when co-hosting FOX & Friends Weekend at the Talladega Super Speedway. He also shared a report from Birmingham’s Barber Vintage Motor Sports Museum where he took a drive around the track as part of the Porsche Driving Experience.

A commentator on every major FOX News daytime and primetime show, Hegseth, along with Rachel Campos-Duffy and Will Cain, co-hosts FOX & Friends Weekend (6-10 AM/ET, weekends), a spot he has held since 2017. Pete also regularly guest hosts for FOX & Friends, The Five, Hannity, Ingraham Angle, Jesse Watters Primetime, and other shows. Known for boldly sharing his perspective on myriad cultural and political issues, 43-year-old Hegseth says, “Using my platform to share my Christian faith is the most valuable use of my time and resources.” A realization sparked for Hegseth, in large part, by his role as a father. “I’ve got a bunch of kids and realize the only thing that matters is introducing them to Jesus Christ. I spend time teaching them how to dribble a basketball or to love America—and those are all great—but they’re utterly insufficient.” It’s that perspective that inspired Hegseth’s special, The Life of Jesus, streaming on FOX Nation. Knowing he was utterly inadequate to tell the story, the anchor co-hosted the series with his hometown pastor from New Jersey, Chris Durkin, of Colts Neck Community Church. First and foremost, “this passion of mine reminds me, my family, and our culture… that underneath holiday pageantry is the truth and the birth of a baby in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago and the life that Jesus—fully God and fully man—lived.” In the series, Durkin and Hegseth chronicle some of the most significant stories from Scripture while retracing the steps of Jesus in the Holy Land as accurately as they can. 

Hegseth in military uniform
An Army combat veteran, Hegseth (left) has served our country in Afghanistan, Iraq and Guantanamo Bay.

Education: Country & Freedom. More than a FOX Nation host, Hegseth is an Army combat veteran, who served 12 years as an Infantry Officer in the Army National Guard in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Guantanamo Bay. He holds two Bronze Stars and a Combat Infantryman Badge for his time in Iraq and Afghanistan. Hegseth reminisces about being a young platoon leader, “On our first night-time air assault mission in enemy territory, we soon realized our helicopter had dropped us off in the wrong spot. We didn’t really know where we were, and it was my job to get us to the objective. I remember feeling a sense of peace and calm that I had no business having in that moment. I didn’t think much about it until weeks later when my mom said she had felt a strong urge to fall on her knees and pray for me,” he remembers, adding, “We realized she was praying at the exact time I was on that raid with my platoon. The power of prayer is real. Parents plant seeds that may take a while to sprout and grow, but God uses it all to make us into who we are.” 

“Cultures are defined by what they celebrate and honor. Too often, our culture celebrates actors and professional athletes and influencers who have no grasp of history or how special and exceptional this country is,” Hegseth explains. His flagship annual event, “The Patriot Awards,” is meant to shine the spotlight on those who really are the best and brightest of our country—everyday heroes. Personal for Hegseth, “The opportunity to host the Patriot Awards is my favorite assignment. I’m always humbled and honored. It’s unique, and it’s unifying.” 

Pete Hegseth
Pete Hegseth is a husband, father, veteran, speaker, news personality and author.

Education: Author. In addition to his accomplishments as a veteran, compelling speaker, and news personality, Hegseth is a #1 New York Times bestselling author. His most recent book, Battle for the American Mind spent over 12 weeks on the New York Times best-sellers list, including four straight weeks at #1. The book is a field guide for remaking schools in the United States. Hegseth and David Goodwin explain, “We need to recover a lost philosophy of education grounded in virtue and excellence, equipping future generations to fight for freedom…” Classical Christian education is the Hegseth family choice. Hegseth is also the host of multiple educational series including Modern Warriors (military), Battle in the Holy Land (Israel), and most recently Poison Ivy, a look at the controversies surrounding Ivy League schools. “Being patriotic doesn’t just mean waving the flag or cheering for Team USA,” Hegseth emphasizes. “It requires teaching, instructing, and celebrating. In the most difficult times, the best thing we can do is go back to basics: faith, family, freedom- shining a light on those values- what this nation was founded on. If not America, then who? then where? Godlessness ends great nations. The one thing we can all do is get on our knees and pray.”

Sheila E. Moss: author of Living to Matter: Mothers, Singles, and the Weary and Broken; Interrupting Women: Ten Conversations with Jesus; and international publications derived from teaching Bible and Christian ethics in Africa, Ukraine, Venezuela, and England. 

 

Katie Britt on Capital steps

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In considering Katie Britt’s credentials it might be no surprise to you that she represents the state of Alabama in the U.S. Senate. Her academic and professional background is proof of her qualifications, and her life with a former Alabama football star and two young children might make her life seem charmed. Britt, however, might tell you a different story and stress the fact that it’s been the hard stuff that has made her the person she is today. She feels strongly that God has brought her through tough times with a specific plan for her life.

Katie Britt
Alabama Senator Katie Britt was chosen by Republican Senate Chair Lindsey Graham to deliver the Republican response to President Joe Biden’s State of the Union Address on March 7, 2024.

Path to Washington. Britt’s path to politics began in earnest when she served as the Student Government Association president at the University of Alabama and then went on to earn a law degree at the school in 2013. Work followed as deputy press secretary for Alabama senator Richard Shelby, special assistant to University of Alabama president James Witt, lawyer at a Birmingham law firm, and then president and CEO of the Business Council of Alabama from 2018 to 2021 while working as Senator Shelby’s chief of staff. When she was elected in 2022 to the U.S. Senate in a tightly contested race, she became the first woman to be elected to the Senate from the state and also the youngest Republican woman ever elected to the Senate. She also proudly declares that she’s the only Republican senator with school-aged children.

Katie Britt speaking
Britt is struck by the fact that she’s the only Senate member with school age children. “It’s such an honor to represent other parents and to have the opportunity to fight for my kids and their generation,” she said. Photo Credit: Rosa Pineda

While those professional accolades are noteworthy, Britt’s earlier experiences are even more remarkable in relation to how she has climbed the ladder of political success. In conversations as well as in her newest book, God Called Us to Do Hard Things, she recalls the importance of her growing-up years and how they impacted her life direction. Born in Enterprise, she proudly claims the Wiregrass–the area stretching along the coastal plain from southeastern Alabama to southern Georgia and northern Florida–as home. The people there, she said, instilled a love of service and a reliance on faith. “The area where I grew up was ruled by agriculture, small business, and the military, and I was taught from an early age that the most important things are faith, family, and freedom,” Britt said. “I watched my parents run two small businesses, teaching me about hard work and the importance of seizing opportunities.”

Britt Family
Katie Britt often finds it a challenge to balance motherhood and her work in Washington but makes sure to have devotions with her family from a distance at night and to make calls every morning. Photo Credit: Emily Wise Photography

One of four daughters, Britt said her parents gave them direction and encouraged her and her sisters to find their path. “There was an understanding that we were meant to fulfill God’s purpose for our lives,” she said. “They taught us that we were created in God’s image and God had a purpose for each of us.” Britt often references her time in the region (her new book even has the subtitle “Lessons from the Alabama Wiregrass”), while also committing to serving the people who live there now. A recent trip to a public magnet school in Mobile gave Britt the opportunity to encourage the younger generation- and she said it was more meaningful than much of her work in Washington. “The students there asked better questions about civics than I got on the campaign trail,” she laughed, “and it really hit me that I have the opportunity to represent all the people of the state. I reminded them how bright our country’s future is because of them.” In that presentation, she also encouraged the students that it’s often the valleys of life that teach you the most important lessons. “If you’re honest about your situation and then allow God to use that situation to prepare you, you’re better prepared for what life has for you,” she said. “You have to trust Him.” That message is vital to Britt, especially as she remembers the challenges she’s had. From a close call in the April 2011 tornado outbreak in Tuscaloosa while holding her new baby in her arms to the challenges of running an upstart political campaign to struggling with an illness soon after taking office, the struggles are what have motivated Britt.

Katie Britt on Capital steps
Being away from her children makes her “Mamma’s heart hurt,” Britt said, but she keeps it in perspective by remembering the sacrifices that service men and women make. Photo Credit: Rebecca Hammel

Family and Faith. Alongside Britt in both the good and challenging times are husband Wesley and their daughter Bennett, 14, and son Ridgeway, 13. Wesley was an offensive tackle at Alabama from 2001-2004, earning 1st team All SEC honors three times during his time in Tuscaloosa, and then played in the NFL from 2005-2009. The couple met while in college but remained only friends for seven years. They’ll celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary in March, and Britt credits her family for keeping her on track. “Wesley’s a remarkable Christian man and was one of the first people I met at Alabama. I saw him deal with struggles with the team because he came in thinking he’d have one head coach. He ended up having four,” she said. “He had to learn resiliency and how to be a leader in challenging times.” Wesley grew up in Cullman and she in Enterprise, where her family worshiped at First Presbyterian Church where her grandparents had been instrumental in forming the congregation. Today, the Britts attend First United Methodist Church in Montgomery.

Britt Family at Alabama Game
Senator Britt’s husband Wesley played football for the University of Alabama and in the NFL. He was a member of the New England Patriots 2007 Super Bowl-winning team. He now works as a lobbyist for Fine Geddie & Associates in Montgomery. Photo Credit: Office of Senator Katie Britt

When Britt pondered running for the Senate, she relied on Wesley and her children for guidance; she prayed for Wesley’s “heart and mind” to guide their decision and they together prayed for their family and children. Ultimately, she says that one specific experience with her daughter encouraged her to keep going. “At one point I was polling at two percent and it was hard being away from the kids while campaigning. I was really questioning things,” she recalled. “But then Bennett set me down and told me I had to run. She said she wanted people to know I was a good momma and that I loved Jesus. When I told her it was hard, she looked me right in the eye and said, ‘Doesn’t God call you to do hard things?’”

Telling her Story. That and other stories made it into her book, which was published this past November. Her book publisher originally wanted her to focus on her career path, but after many of her experiences- including her visit to the Mobile magnet school- she proposed a different idea. “I wanted to talk about the valleys and the lessons we learned,” she said. “I told those kids that day that the world will knock you down, but I asked them to promise me that they would stand back up. The publishers came back and asked if I could tell the stories that I tell people.” Chapters include such topics as being unafraid to fall, breaking past limits people put on themselves, and being an agent of change. “One chapter is called ‘Falling to Finding my Way’ and it talks about things that didn’t go right and when I wasn’t successful,” she said. “I looked back and thought about everything that happened to put me on this path. What would have happened if I never ran for the SGA at Alabama? We have a plan, but God has a greater plan.”

-Cheryl Wray

 

 

Ellen Skrmetti

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Ellen Skrmetti wants you to know that God wants you to have fun. The Birmingham comedian, who is known on social media for her “Hey Jesus” sketches and reels, believes that God is interested in all aspects of your life–even the absurd, sometimes outrageous ones–and she’s dedicated to sharing joy and laughter with Christians and non-believers alike. Her Instagram and TikTok popularity (she has 192,000 and 35,000 followers on the two platforms) has given her a unique audience, and Skrmetti says she’s confident it was God who gave her these opportunities.

Ellen SkrmettiFinding Comedy During Covid. Skrmetti was always the “funny one” in school, but it wasn’t until 2020 that she finally got serious about her dream of being a comedian. She’d enrolled in comedy classes and was due to start a new one the Thursday before Alabama announced its lockdown due to the Covid pandemic. “I’d just come home from Target to get stuff to make sanitizer when I heard the news. I cried and told my husband it was all over,” she remembered. “But, then Second City started offering online classes.” She kept busy during Covid taking comedy and writing classes through Second City–an improvisational comedy company based in Chicago that has been the starting point for such actors and comedians as Bill Murray, Steve Carell, Tina Fey, and Amy Poehler. And when one of her teachers told her that people were gaining an audience on Instagram and TikTok without knowing how to do standup, Skremetti took it as a challenge. “I told myself, ‘I know how to do standup,’ and maybe I can turn my standup into reels,” she said. “Covid had me do things backward and try something I might have never done otherwise.” She spent the rest of 2020 and 2021 honing her comedy craft and deciding what direction she wanted her work to take and leaped onto Instagram and TikTok (both @justskrmetti) in January of 2022. In the beginning, Skrmetti said most of her viewers were family and friends–but that she held tight to a prayer she made when she first posted. “I prayed every morning and every day, ‘Please do something so big it could only be you.’ I prayed about the people who would be watching the videos, not just the sheer numbers, and trusted God to do something with it,” she said.

Ellen Skrmetti with husband
Ellen Skrmetti was born in Ripley, Mississippi. She and her husband Tim lived in Jackson before moving to Nashville and then Birmingham.

She decided to not pay for clicks and instead relied on the organic growth of her channels. Early followers came from girlfriends sharing with other girlfriends, or mothers sharing with their daughters. “It was just my friends and family members laughing and enjoying it. It grew as slow as molasses,” she remembered. “From January to September, it grew from 700 to just 1100. I began to wonder what to do.” Skrmetti began, though, to celebrate her audience– small as it was. She then re-defined what “viral” meant to her and celebrated when she got 5000 views. And she vowed to keep going. “I knew if I stopped, I would never know what could happen.” And then Queen Elizabeth passed away. Srkmetti’s husband Tim is a huge fan of London’s Arsenal soccer team, and he bemoaned the fact that the team wasn’t playing because of the planned funeral for Queen Elizabeth in October 2022. She began to wonder: how would the funeral of Queen Elizabeth be handled in the South? And would it interrupt the airing of Alabama football games? “I decided to recreate every phone call I’d ever heard my Mom make when someone in the church died. It was the idea that Grandma’s not doing good, and we may have to get her in the ground before kickoff,” she said. “The video blew up on TikTok that day, then followed up on Instagram. Then people who watched it went back and watched my reels from the past, then followed me.” Today that post on TikTok has 1.6 million views.

Ellen Skrmetti and Laurie Franklin
Besides being great on stage, we found out Ellen is also an excellent cook. Check out one of her go to recipes here.

Other posts and skits have evolved on Skrmetti’s social media channels, including her “Hey Jesus, it’s me” series and others where she posts as reporter “Kitty Potter” and other characters. “I was so nervous to be myself at the beginning that I started acting like these characters. The first was Kitty Potter, who is a reporter based on Kim Basinger’s Texas character in “Ready to Wear,” and then one day I did the ‘Hey Jesus’ bit asking Jesus if it’s okay if I pray for my co-worker to get a tapeworm. It’s just based on crazy things in my life.” Ultimately, Srkmetti wants her comedy to show that God wants us to come to Him with anything in our lives. “You can give Him a joke, give Him thanks, give Him anything, and not just at night or in the morning,” she said. “There’s truly not a second of the day that He doesn’t want communication.”

Ellen Skrmetti with kids
Ellen’s family attends Prince of Peace Catholic Church and son Nik attends Prince of Peace School. Church is integral to their family life, and she encourages Christians to find a church home where they feel welcome.

Finding a Way to Comedy. Although Skrmetti didn’t start taking comedy classes until she was 41, the desire to perform came from an early age. “I was always the class clown and my report card always said something about how much I talked,” she said. “It was always more important to entertain than to get good grades.” When she competed in the Miss Mississippi contest at 18, however, she remembers having extreme stage fright for the first time and making a deal with God about being on stage. She prayed that if God would get her off the stage, she’d never do it again. Now, she knows how misguided that prayer was. “I was naive because I took that as His word, and I didn’t get back on stage for a long time,” she said. “But one day I felt it in my spirit and God told me that He never took that bet. That was the devil trying to hold me back.” From that moment, Skrmetti consciously worked at taking classes and learning more about the craft of comedy until she got back on stage again– even though she was nervous to do so. 

Ellen Skrmetti on stagejpg
Ellen’s schedule for 2024 includes shows across the Southeast, including ones in January in Nashville and Atlanta plus one at the StarDome Comedy Club in Birmingham on February 2, 2024. You can enter to win tickets to the Birmingham show on February 2, 2024! Click here to learn more.

Today, Skrmetti uses her current situations and family life for her on-stage and online inspiration. She and her husband Tim live in the Bluff Park area of Hoover with their children Meg, 14, and Nik, 9. Many of Skrmetti’s skits and posts are inspired by life with her family, or from memories from her childhood. In deciding what type of comedian she wanted to be, she often wondered if there was a place for her style; she learned that there was a need for the clean humor she provides. “Stories about my family are funny, and I’m confident that those stories about my children, raising my family, and my childhood are the ones I need to tell,” she said. “I need my mom and my Sunday School class members to have fun at my shows.” With Covid in the past, Skrmetti now does stand-up comedy shows in addition to her social media posts. And her family members and church friends have become some of her most staunch supporters and audience members at shows at places like StarDome Comedy Club in Birmingham and Zanie’s in Nashville. Skrmetti said that her presence at such comedy clubs is proof that Christians can provide high quality- and funny- material. “There are Christians in comedy, even though they don’t label themselves that way. People like Steve Harvey and Chris Pratt are always happy to tell people where their inspiration comes from, and I never shy away from telling people I’m here because of my prayers,” she said. “I don’t really like to call myself a Christian comedian. I’m a Christian who is a comedian.”

Hey Jesus It's Me cover
Hey Jesus, It’s Me will be released in September of 2024, but the book can already be pre-ordered on Amazon. Learn more about the book and Ellen’s comedy tour at www.ellenskrmetti.com.

Looking to the Future. Skrmetti said she can now look back at that prayer she prayed for God (“Do something so big it can only be you”) and know that it was answered. She continues to post online and gain followers while also doing stand-up. She has also written a book based on her comedy routines. She met a literary agent through Instagram who loved her skits and asked if she’d be interested in writing a book. Her book proposal was accepted, and she signed a contract with Hachette for Hey Jesus, It’s Me: I Have Questions, Comments, and Concerns. The book, which releases this September, includes fun essays that have an “a-ha” moment of life and faith. The book-writing experience, she said, is an example of something she could have never imagined for herself. “Instead of praying, ‘God get me on stage,’ I prayed an unlimited prayer. I prayed that however big He wanted to make it, let’s do that,” she said. “It’s so amazing to see every door open.” Skrmetti likes to say that God will never show you the entire staircase of His plans. “I was at a point where I didn’t see the other steps,” she said. “I had to be patient.” That patience paid off- with followers on social media, with a book deal, and with the answering of what some might call a wild dream to succeed in comedy.

-Cheryl Wray is a freelance writer and book author who lives in Hueytown. She’s also the coordinator of the Southern Christian Writers Conference.

Danna with great niece in kitchen looking at camera

Cover Story

The title of Danna Standridge’s latest cookbook proclaims that “happiness is homemade,” and that message is something she conveys in her recipes, stories, and social media presence. Standridge and her husband David, an Alabama state representative for District 34, believe in the importance of family togetherness–and, in many cases, that starts in the kitchen and dining room with homemade recipes and traditions. 

Danna holding books in kitchen
Danna Standridge says she always wanted to write a book but is amazed by how that vision played out. “I’d always say that I wanted to write a book but thought it might be a biology book when I was a teacher,” she said. “I didn’t know that God laid the plans to write the bicentennial cookbook for Alabama.”

Celebrating Alabama’s Cooking. Standridge shares family recipes and stories on her Facebook page (“Danna Standridge”) and YouTube channel (@dannastandridge8749) and through her cookbook Happiness is Homemade, Y’all, but her time in the spotlight started with Alabama’s official bicentennial cookbook published in 2019. Time to Eat, Y’all: Celebrating the Culinary Heritage of Sweet Home Alabama was Standridge’s first foray into publishing and came as a surprise to her. Its popularity, though, paved the way for Standridge to share her experience with Alabamians as they struggled through the 2020 pandemic.

As her husband’s assistant, Standridge often had requests from fellow legislators and other state officials for cards with his contact information. She decided to be creative and passed out recipe cards. “Then, out of the blue I got a call from the Alabama Department of Tourism, and I just assumed they wanted to talk to David,” she said, “but they said they wanted to talk to me. They told me that they’d heard I like to cook, and could they talk with me about a bicentennial cookbook. I immediately told them that I was their girl and that I love cookbooks.” In a subsequent meeting with tourism officials, publishers, and book designers, she laid out her ideas by telling them funny stories from her own family that revolved around favorite recipes and meals. “Write down those family stories, and author this book,” they told her. The book came out in conjunction with Alabama’s bicentennial celebration, with proceeds going toward care of the state capital building. It sold out through several reprints.

Danna with husband in kitchen
Standridge’s husband David serves in the Alabama House of Representatives, representing the 34th district.

Then, when the Covid pandemic hit, Standridge’s husband told her she needed to do something to uplift people during the difficult time. “David really takes care of people in his district, and he had a real heart for what they were going through,” she said. “One day he came to me and said, ‘You’ve got to do something. These people don’t know how to cook during this time, and they need encouragement.’ So, I did it.” She got onto Facebook and began sharing stories and recipes. The first video was of her “Ugly Biscuits,” and people responded. Today, her Facebook page has more than 75,000 followers and her YouTube channel has more than 100 videos on recipes, exercises, and encouragement. She said that she sees her work on social media and in her cookbooks as a ministry. She said she hears from people regularly who are encouraged by her simple stories.  “At a funeral after Covid I had a woman tell me that she was embarrassed because she’d gained 12 pounds during the time because she’d started making bread,” Standridge said. “I told her that we’d all been in a similar situation. During Covid, people were learning to cook at home. But they also were lonely and needed a way to deal with things.”

While growing her online presence, Standridge also released her second cookbook in 2020. Happiness is Homemade, Y’all was her own cookbook with her own stories and recipes, as opposed to the state cookbook. “The stories in the book mean so much to me,” she said. “They come from my family, my parents, my grandparents.” After Covid ended, she also began speaking to groups and churches with the goal of giving people hope. One story of encouragement she shares comes from her great grandmother’s life. “When I’m speaking to groups, I tell of my great uncle who survived being a prisoner of war in Germany,” she said. “My great grandmother was making biscuits for her family when she found out that he was coming home after 18 months in prison. And today, I have the rolling pin she was using at that moment.”

Danna Standridge in kitchen with red apron
Recipes in her newest book, Happiness is Homemade Y’all, include Old Fashioned Carrot Cake, Ugly Biscuits, Nanny Swann’s Chicken and Dumplings, Granny Dera’s Sweet Potato Pie, Momma Holt’s Sausage Gravy, and many more that come from her own family. View her carrot cake recipe here.

“Food is at the heart of everything we do,” Standridge said. Through her cookbooks and online activities, she tries to encourage people to discover their own family stories. “I want people to talk to their family and discover their history,” she said. “Until you go out and talk to people about it you don’t realize that not everyone prioritizes it. But you need to know the story of your family.”

Memories from the Kitchen. Standridge’s family stories stem from a shared faith, and many of them feature church in a starring role. She’d often sit in the kitchen with her grandmother Nannie Swan, trying to soak in all of her cooking knowledge. Known for such items as her chicken and dumplings, Nannie Swan rarely wrote down her recipes, and Standridge did everything possible to take notes and learn from her. Whenever there was a potluck or other food gathering at her church, Standridge said that word would spread about the chicken and dumplings dish. “When I’d sit by her in church, people would come whisper in her ear and ask, ‘Did you bring the chicken and dumplings?’” she remembered. After her grandmother passed, Standridge gathered with her aunts and cousins to determine how to recreate the famous recipe. While no one knew exactly how to make the chicken and dumplings, they made two different batches and had family members vote on which one was most accurate. “After the vote, we felt like we had the perfect recipe,” she said. Standridge often relied on Nannie Swan and the other women in her family to learn how to become a good cook herself. And today, she continues the tradition and passes her knowledge and experience to her children and grandchildren.

Danna in kitchen with great niece
Danna often enjoys time in the kitchen with her children, grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. “It’s important to pass down recipes and stories,” she said. “They need to know them, so they can pass them down too.”

She and David are the parents of three children and five grandchildren; their oldest daughter’s family lives close by them in Hayden and others live in Mississippi. They focus on faith in their family and attend church as often as possible with their children and grandchildren. She’s proud that her teenage grandchildren participate in such activities as First Priority at their schools and enjoy church. “We both grew up in church,” she said. “I grew up in Oak Grove Baptist Church about 10 minutes away from Hayden First Baptist Church where we worship now.” When raising their children, Standridge said that the dinner table was the perfect place to share faith and stories. She encourages parents today to find time to eat and share together, even when their schedules are especially busy. “It can be an effort, but it’s important to sit down together when you can,” she said. “It’s the perfect time to talk about how everyone’s day went. You can also tell those family stories. You can also talk about spiritual things. It’s so important because they come to know they can discuss anything with you.” She also encourages parents to find opportunities for their children to spend time with their grandparents. “They learn who they are, what their family believes,” she said. ‘It grows those deep roots.”

Danna and family
Danna and David Standridge have three children and five grandchildren, and treasure any time spent together. Their Christmas gatherings include a time when they bless everyone with a monetary gift; kids and grandkids line up, they take a picture, and give out hugs. “This is a tradition that started with my Grandpa and Granny Campbell. They’d line us up every year and we always looked forward to it,” she said. “Now we do it with our family.”

Special Christmas Traditions. As the holidays approach, Standridge said the days offer special chances to build traditions, make memories, and show love. Many of them, obviously, can revolve around the kitchen or dining table. She and her family look forward to special meals and gatherings –including her mother’s tamales and her mother-in-law’s mocha punch. “My mother makes a huge pot of tamales, and we all race to get to the pot during our big Christmas get together. There are about 40 people there, so if you snooze you lose on her delicious tamales,” Standridge said. “And it’s not truly Christmas until we’ve had a mug of my mother-in-love’s mocha punch.” Standridge’s own food tradition with her children and grandchildren includes a Christmas Eve breakfast with Merry Christmas French Toast with homemade whipped cream and blueberry syrup, ugly biscuits, and a grandmother’s sausage gravy- all of which are included in her latest cookbook.

New Opportunities. According to Standridge, the opportunities that have come her way to minister to friends and strangers alike have truly been a Godsend. When she has speaking engagements and shares her stories, she often finds out that they are just what someone in the audience needed to hear. This reinforces to her that she’s right where God wants her to be. She plans on continuing to speak to groups and churches, as well as reaching out to followers and new friends on her social media platforms. There are also plans for new cookbooks. “I’ve had so many opportunities pop up and I’m busy doing things just about every day,” she said. “I can’t wait to see where the Lord leads me.”

-Cheryl Wray

Jean and Jeremiah in black outfits at Bryant Denny

Cover Story

Before the University of Alabama football team takes the field each Saturday, players first hear a message of inspiration and encouragement from team chaplain Jeremiah Castille. Castille’s twenty two year ministry to athletes through the Alabama chaplaincy program is just one way he and his wife Jean pour into the lives of young men and women throughout the state. Their Castille Foundation, as well as their work as associate church pastors, evidence their decades-long commitment to sharing Christ through sports, counseling, one-on-one mentorship, and parenting (and now grandparenting) advice. “Our goal is to invest in, influence, impact, and inspire the next generation with hands-on ministry,” Jeremiah Castille said.

Jean and Jeremiah on Alabama sidelines
Jeremiah Castille excelled as a player at Alabama, recording 16 interceptions between 1979-1982 and being elected to the College Football All-America Team in 1982. He and Jean continue to support the Crimson Tide by their presence at games and in their mentorship to players.

Crimson Tide Connection. A player for legendary Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, Castille’s love for the Crimson Tide runs deep. He played as a cornerback for the team from 1979-1982 and played in Bryant’s last game as coach in the 1982 Liberty Bowl. Castille intercepted three passes in that 21-15 win and was selected as the game’s MVP. He went on to play six seasons in the NFL (including in Super Bowl XXIII) for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Denver Broncos. Castille said Bryant has been an enduring influence on his entire life, career, and ministry, and that he thinks of his former coach every single day. “There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about my dad or Coach Bryant. I can hear their voices speaking to me, and I’ve heard Coach Bryant’s voice thousands of times,” he said, adding that the influence of his father and Bryant propelled his ministry as a mentor. “Mentoring is so important. It’s the key,” he said. “I can name four or five men who were in my life early. My dad, Coach Bryant, and I could go down the list. This is part of what’s wrong in our culture today. Men identify with a lot of teachers through technology, but you need four or five men who help father them. It’s a hands-on, personal relationship that takes time and commitment,” Castille said, adding, “My life was informed by those men in my life.”

Jean and Jeremiah's vow renewal
The Castilles recently celebrated their 40th anniversary with a vow renewal service attended by their entire family. Their first wedding ceremony was performed just days after their engagement. And while they didn’t get to go on a honeymoon, Jean says “we’ve been on a honeymoon ever since.”

Jeremiah and Jean met in high school and continued their relationship when Jeremiah played at Alabama. “We started dating when I was in ninth grade and he was a senior and kept in touch even though we didn’t date when he went off to UA,” Jean recalled. “But then he wrote me letters and we saw each other on breaks. I was a freshman at Jacksonville State when he was a senior and one night we were out and he said, ‘Hey, you wanna get married?’ We got married that next Saturday.” She called it the “shortest engagement in history,” and with Castille drafted into the NFL in 1983 they quickly began their married and football life together. Life in professional sports isn’t always easy, but Jean said that her husband’s commitment as a Christian made the schedule, uncertainty, and notoriety easier. “When we got married, Jeremiah was in a place as a young man to lead a family. There are not enough young men who are committed to their walk with the Lord,” she said. “They think they’re ready to be married and once you sit down and talk with them, it’s obvious they need more mentoring to step into that role.” The Castilles started their family a few years later and are the parents of Leah, Tim, Simeon, Rachel, Danielle, and Caleb. All their children currently live in the Birmingham area, except for Caleb who is an actor in California. They also have 10 grandchildren. The family connection to Alabama athletics continued when all three of their sons played for the Crimson Tide. Tim and Simeon both played at Alabama and then in the NFL. Caleb walked on at Alabama, and as an actor portrayed Alabama football player Tony Nathan in the movie Woodlawn.

Caleb Castille
The Castille’s son Caleb starred in the television show “NCIS: Los Angeles” as rookie agent Devin Rountree in seasons 11 and 12. Caleb made his movie acting debut as Alabama football great Tony Nathan in (ITALIC) Woodlawn, a film partly filmed in the Birmingham area.

Castille began working as the University of Alabama chaplain in 2001, and that work continues today with chapel services before each game and Bible studies year-round. He also works with Scotty Hollins, who serves as the head basketball chaplain in Tuscaloosa. “I do a message before every game,” Castille said. “With everything we do with the football program, we show how important faith is and how important character is alongside it.” Today, he believes that faith is the foundation for the success seen in the Alabama athletic program. According to Castille, spiritual leadership on campus has created an environment where young people can thrive in all areas of their lives. “I believe that the University has been blessed by spiritual leadership that understands the principles for success,” he said. “I don’t believe it’s up-in-your-face, but it’s exemplary and it’s walked out.” Castille said that young people are looking for authentic spiritual leaders and coaches that they can trust. “That’s what’s attractive to the next generation, even more than we think,” he explained. “Young people are looking up at you to see if you do what you say.” On campus in Tuscaloosa, Castille said that student athletes are getting those sorts of role models.

Jean and Jeremiah
Jeremiah and Jean Castille have served as associate pastors for more than 20 years at Covenant Heirs International Church in Birmingham.

Ministry to Athletes, Couples, and Families. Through their ministry work- particularly, the Jeremiah Castille Foundation- the couple reaches out on the football field, but also in the church and in homes. Jeremiah can be found at football camps in the summer for middle and high schoolers in Alabama, Georgia, and North Carolina and speaking to groups about a life built upon Christ. The Foundation was started in 1991 and is based in Birmingham; it’s rooted in Isaiah 61:1-4. Its vision to “invest, influence, impact, and inspire” is at the heart of all its efforts to build and restore families. “God gave me a vision for family and marriage, and I now help young men and couples as they prepare,” he said. “I tell young men that they need a vision before they get married. They need a vision for their family before. If you don’t have the vision, you won’t have the power to get through the tough times.” Jean added that one of their greatest blessings is to see the success of couples they counseled and mentored over the years. “We can point to couples in Birmingham who grew up under Jeremiah’s mentorship and we still have that connection with them,” she said. “It’s a blessing to look back over the years and see how they remain committed to the Lord.” Those connections prove the value of reaching out, inviting people into their homes, and mentoring men and couples on a personal level. “You realize that those are the people you are supposed to minister to,” she said. “God has blessed us and gifted us. We love God, love people, and we believe in investing in people.”

Castille family at Night of Legends
Jeremiah Castille celebrated with his family and former Alabama football players at the Night of Legends in 2021. The event honored the first 27 black athletes who played for the Crimson Tide and commemorated the anniversary of 50 years since Paul “Bear” Bryant integrated the football program.

As an extension of their mentorships and encouragement of married couples and families, the Castilles host a podcast titled “Stille Standing.” In it, they talk about relationships and parenting and build on their own 40 years together and the things they did raising their now-adult children.  While the podcast title is a play on their last name, it’s more of a tribute to their reliance on God’s promises for their lives and family. “We rely on the Scriptures that tell us to stand on His promises and stand on our faith,” Jean said. “We’re still here and standing.”

Jean and Jeremiah recording podcast
Jean and Jeremiah Castille host a podcast titled “Stille Standing” where they discuss relationships, parenting and more.

A Vision for Parents and Grandparents. The Castilles have a tight-knit family that has grown to include grandchildren. They believe that as Christian parents get older and evolve into grandparents, their roles should become stronger. “Many older people mistakenly believe they aren’t important anymore, but that’s just not true,” Jean said. “We have more impact as we get older.” As Poppa and Honey to their ten grandchildren, the Castilles believe they have a responsibility to pass along their faith through prayer and Bible study. And to be active whenever possible- whether on the sidelines during sports events or helping in their homes when asked. “We make it a commitment to connect on a weekly basis with our older grandchildren. We talk with them, come to their games, do Bible study with them, and I babysit whenever I can,” Jean said. And they stay active and fit- committed to being able to participate with the young children as much as possible. “When I’m 80, they may leave me in the dust. But, not now,” she laughed. A new partnership with the Legacy Coalition (an organization designed to encourage Christian grandparents) has cemented their desire to reach out to grandparents and let them know how important they are. They look forward to working with the organization to speak directly to grandparents. “We have the job of sharing our legacy of faith with our children and grandchildren,” Jeremiah said. “My mother had a great testimony of recovering from alcoholism, and I tell her story. Hearing their great-grandmother’s story is important.”

Castille family
Jean and Jeremiah Castille have six children and 10 grandchildren.

As Jeremiah Castille looks to the future and the ways he wants to continue ministering to his own family and other young people, he often harkens back to the words of his legendary college football coach. “I learned so many lessons from Bear,” he said. “And his words remind me of the four things [invest, influence, impact, and inspire] we need to do for the next generation.” Upon the celebration of what would have been Bryant’s 100th birthday back in 2013, Castille was asked to write and share what he learned from his coach.  “He invested in me, and that led to influence. He impacted and changed me. From that came inspiration–not just motivated, but inspiration because of his hands-on coaching and relationship with me. That truly became my philosophy in how I lived life and how I was going to raise my children. So much of it came from my time with Coach Bryant.”

-Cheryl Wray

 

Superchef Grudge Match Photo Credit Food Network

Cover Story

Food Network Star and cookbook author Darnell SuperChef Ferguson is one of the rising stars in the culinary world. With television show hosting gigs and a brand-new book for young chefs, Ferguson could be sitting on his laurels and boasting of his success. Instead, he focuses on his faith and family and looks to the future for ways he can impact the next generation. Ferguson’s latest ventures include the second season premiere this November of his Food Network Show “Superchef Grudge Match” and the debut this month of his new book by Christian publisher Tyndale Kidz- SuperChef Family Cookbook.

Darnell Superchef Ferguson, photo credit Tyndale House Publishers

Becoming a Chef. Ferguson never set out to be a chef. In fact, as a child, he didn’t have examples of cooks in his home and instead discovered cooking on his own when he watched celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse’s television show. “I got into it because I was watching Emeril,” he said. “I started watching cooking shows in my free time and started cooking at my cousin’s house on weekends. Looking back, it wasn’t actual cooking. I was doing slushies and cereal and things like that. But I was really interested in it.” At 16 years old, he went to vocational school (traditional high school was a struggle, he said); he figured if it didn’t work out, he’d at least be able to cook some good lunches. Instead, the decision to transition from regular high school changed his life. “I’d never touched a culinary knife, so it was all new to me. But I had a great teacher who made me feel special,” Ferguson said. “She told me I was advanced and should keep with it. I’d never heard that I was special, and I wasn’t really good at anything. But then I found cooking.” Ferguson said that the first culinary teacher still supports him today and has attended show premieres and other events in support of him.

Superchef Grudge Match host Darnell Ferguson photo credit Food Network
Darnell appeared on numerous shows on the Food Network before getting his own show. “I had to take the stairs, not the elevator. It’s a good story for people and kids. It took a long time, even though I thought I’d have a show in the first year. It’s a good lesson on patience.” Photo Credit: Food Network.

Ferguson’s journey took him to Sullivan University’s National Center for Hospital Studies and then he served as a chef for Team USA in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. And while his culinary career seemed to be heading in the right direction, his personal life was less stable. He served a year in jail for selling drugs, then found himself living on friends’ couches while between homes. He even slept in his car at a certain low point. After vowing to get straight and joining a church, Ferguson opened his first pop-up restaurant in Louisville, Kentucky in 2012 and began making local television appearances and eventually appeared on the “Rachael Ray” show. There, he met his childhood idol Emeril Lagasse. He ultimately was showcased on the Food Network shows “Chopped,” “Supermarket Stakeout,” “Guy’s Grocery Games,” and “Tournament of Champions,” and on HGTV Network’s “Home Town Takeover” and “The Big Holiday Food Fight.” Today he is co-host of Food Network’s “Worst Cooks in America” and host of his own “SuperChef Grudge Match.” Along the way, he has found ways to give back, particularly to young people interested in cooking and culinary careers.

Darnell SuperChef Ferguson cooking in kitchen, Photo Credit Tyndale House Publishers
SuperChef Family Cookbook is the first in a planned series of books from Ferguson. He said that the first book is “planting a seed in kids who are interested in cooking.”Photo by Julie Chen courtesy of Tyndale House Publishers and used with permission.

Encouraging Young People.  Ferguson’s newest venture is the SuperChef Family Cookbook, published by Tyndale House Publisher’s children’s imprint and releasing on October 3. The book includes an introductory section chronicling his childhood in Ohio to his time in culinary school and his eventual fall from grace and trouble with the law, then recounts his coming to Christ and ensuing success starting restaurants and at the Food Network. The second section includes creative and approachable recipes for children and the entire family. The recipes come from Ferguson’s own restaurants, with tried-and-true tips that make cooking easier for people of all ages. With its superhero theming, the book leans into Ferguson’s idea that cooking is exciting and “super.”

Darnell Ferguson in kitchen, photo credit Tyndale House Publishers
Subsequent books will become more advanced to where kids can cook by themselves and “really be able to do things in the kitchen.” Photo by Julie Chen courtesy of Tyndale House Publishers and used with permission.

“The cookbook is a hybrid between a cookbook and a comic book. It’s about fun and lighthearted recipes that kids can complete,” he said, “and it encourages moms, dads, sisters, and aunts to work alongside the child and dive in with him.” The book features Little Super, a comic book character that helps readers better understand the recipes and cooking techniques; it also includes QR codes that readers can scan that link to video instructions from Ferguson. The book stems from Ferguson’s belief that one of his primary callings is teaching the younger generation about cooking. “Interest in cooking is growing and growing, and outside of sports, cooking is the most popular type of show watched today,” Ferguson said. “Kids watch it, parents watch it, and the hospitality industry is so large. There are so many opportunities for children to go into it,” he said, adding, “Inspiring young people is my purpose and my call. I believe it’s part of why I have this gift.” Ferguson said that creating the cookbook has been a fun experience. “The book itself is very fun and has that super-chef background. But my recipes are easy and relatable to that kid like me who started by ‘cooking’ cereal. I feel like it’s relatable and stems from my personality,” he said. “I want to give kids who want to cook an outlet.”

Darnell Ferguson and family, photo courtesy Darnell Ferguson
Darnell and his wife Tatahda share eight children between them; six of them live full-time in their Louisville home. Their children are ages 2, 4, 6, 10, 11, 12, 16, and 16. Photo courtesy: Darnell Ferguson.

Becoming a Christian. Just as he knew nothing about cooking as a child, Ferguson also knew nothing about God. “I always thought it was just a fairy tale,” he recalled, noting that none of his family were Christians and he was never taught about God. He didn’t even know who Jesus was. “I didn’t know who God was at all. I had no thoughts of God at all in 25 years,” he said. “Then I found God for the first time.” After visiting a church after a stint in jail, Ferguson had to learn to rethink beliefs about attitudes he’d held for most of his life. “Coming from where I came from, I was angry and afraid and that can make for a dangerous person,” he said. “My fears were embedded inside of me. Growing up I didn’t have confidence in myself, but I developed a huge confidence in who God was and that extended into my confidence.” Ferguson learned that Bible stories weren’t fairy tales and that his identity could be rooted in Christ.  “I never knew who I was, then church solidified that for me,” he said. “It gave me something to hope in and let me know I was special. I began to believe that God created me, and believed everything God says about me.” Today faith drives his businesses and work, as he pours into young chefs and his customers with a giving attitude. “I want to serve my customers,” he said. “In where I am in the industry, it’s often about awards or people knowing who you are. But it should really be about the people. I want people to say, ‘Chef, I love your food,’ because I’ve given them something they love.”

SuperChef Family Cookbook cover image
SuperChef Family Cookbook releases on October 3, 2023. Click here to find Ferguson’s Honey-Baked Turkey recipe perfect for the holidays.

He gives back to his local community with his nonprofit SuperChef’s Cape and through organizations like Blessings in a Backpack. He also stays committed to young people, speaking often to high school and college students about overcoming adversity, work ethic, and how to treat others. His faith also extends into his family life. He and his wife Tatahda have eight children ranging in age from two to 16. “It’s a good life, and I’m blessed,” he said.

-Cheryl Wray

 

 

 

23 years cover story 1200x500

Cover Story

This year marks 23 years of publishing Birmingham Christian Family and we want to celebrate with you!

Here’s a look back at the cover stories over the past few years. Click on the cover image or link to read these stories. Or if you prefer, simply visit BirminghamChristian.com/Issues and scroll to read your favorites online.


November 2020 coverNovember 2020

Ashley McMakin

Ashley Mac’s founder, Ashley McMakin, shares how her faith impacts her life as a mom, wife, and business owner. See McMakin on the Crumbl Cookies Celebrity Chef Stage during the Celebrate the Family Expo at 11:30 a.m. and grab a copy of her new cookbook, Ashley Mac’s Kitchen. Read more here.


March 2022 CoverMarch 2022

Janice Rogers

WBRC Fox 6 News Anchor Janice Rogers shares how grieving the loss of her brother Gene guided her to community and hope. She volunteers her time to help others facing the loss of a loved one. Read more here.


April 2022 CoverApril 2022

Montana Fouts

During her time pitching for the Alabama Crimson Tide Softball team, Montana Fouts was passionate about pitching perfect games while pointing people to Christ. Fouts is currently hosting softball camps for girls across the country. Read more here.


August 2022 CoverAugust 2022

Lauren and Tony Dungy

NFL Couple Lauren and Tony Dungy strive to live purposeful lives as individuals and as a couple. They share why they decided to write the book, Uncommon Influence: Saying Yes to a Purposeful Life (Tyndale House Publishers). Read more here.


October 2022 CoverOctober 2022

Sonya King

Two by Two Animal Rescue Founder Sonya King shares what inspired her to start the Helena, Ala. based nonprofit whose mission is to save unwanted, abused, and abandoned animals. You can meet some of Two by Two’s adoptable dogs at the Celebrate the Family Expo on September 16, 2023! Read more here.


November 2022 CoverNovember 2022

Brenda Gantt

Social media sensation and beloved southern cook Brenda Gantt shares some of her recipes and stories perfect for the holiday season and details on her second cookbook Linger Around the Table Y’all. Gantt will be on the Crumbl Cookies Celebrity Chef Stage at the Celebrate the Family Expo on September 16, 2023 from 1-2 p.m. with her son-in-law, Alabama author and outdoorsman Walt Merrell. Read more here.


January 2023 CoverJanuary 2023

Walt Merrell

Alabama outdoorsman, author, and District Attorney Walt Merrell shares his faith story and his call to engage the outdoors with his three daughters. Hear Merrell share stories from 1-2 p.m. on the Crumbl Cookies Celebrity Chef Stage during the Celebrate the Family Expo beside his mother-in-law, Brenda Gantt. Read more here.


February 2023 CoverFebruary 2023

Heather Brown

Birmingham-based podcaster and lifestyle blogger Heather Brown shares how she built her social media following while sharing her faith and encouraging women to love every aspect of their life. Read more here.


March 2023 CoverMarch 2023

Pam Huff

Longtime Birmingham television news anchor Pam Huff shares how she initially responded to her cancer diagnosis plus how her faith, family, and community helped carry her through the journey. Read more here.


June 2023 CoverJune 2023

Matt Scalici

Since losing his wife Ginger to cancer in 2015, Fighting Cancer Network founder Matt Scalici has been on a mission to provide needed information to other families facing a cancer diagnosis through the creation of the Fighting Cancer Network app. Read more here.


July 2023 CoverJuly 2023

Lindy Cleveland

Birmingham’s Lindy Cleveland,  inspired by her brother Jordan, started Unless U to provide faith-based services to individuals with developmental disabilities. Read more here.


August 2023 CoverAugust 2023

Carrington Hodge

Helena, Ala.’s Carrington Hodge is the 2023 Distinguished Young Woman of America. She shares what the journey to receiving the title was like, how her church family supported her, plus her exciting plans for the future. Read more here.


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Cover story Carrington in red dress with city of Mobile behind her

Cover Story

As she heard her name announced on stage as the winner of the 2023 Distinguished Young Woman of America competition, Carrington Hodge knew that several things had made the accomplishment possible. She reflected on the importance of her community, family, and faith in God as she prepared for the scholarship program and in her growing-up years leading to the moment.

Carrington Hodge dancing on stage
Hodge’s decision to participate in the program stemmed from her love of dance. The program consists of a blend of academics, talent, fitness, and self-expression. Dance was Hodge’s talent.

A Distinguished Young Woman. A Helena resident and 2023 graduate of the Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School in Irondale, Hodge was crowned this past June at the competition–formerly known as America’s Junior Miss–in Mobile, Ala. The scholarship program is open only to high school seniors and provides hundreds of thousands of dollars for women heading off to college. Hodge, who also was recognized as an AP Scholar, Princes Prize Certificate of Merit Recipient, and College Board National African American Recognition Program Scholar during her years in high school, received a total of $45,000 in cash scholarships from Distinguished Young Women (DYW) and will attend Vanderbilt University this fall.

Carrington Hodge at Graduation in cap and gown
Hodge graduated from Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School with honors. She plans to attend Vanderbilt University because, “Vanderbilt has it all. It thrives in all academic realms, but also offers an SEC sports scene. I love how you get a true campus feeling but are still in the midst of the downtown area.”

For Hodge, the decision to participate in the program stemmed from her love of dance. Her ballet teacher, Angela Walker, has been involved in the Alabama pageant circuit for years and always encourages her students to consider the DYW program. One of Hodge’s closest friends and fellow dancer, Julianne Abenoja, placed in the previous year’s program as first runner-up at nationals and encouraged her to participate. “I saw Julianne go through the whole process and saw how she was able to balance doing it and competitive dancing while also keeping up her grades,” Hodge said. “That was very important to me because I wanted to make sure I could balance everything well.” Hodge knew that adding the competition on top of an already-grueling and busy school and dance schedule would be a challenge–but she was determined to “do it all.” The state competition in Montgomery required her to miss time away from school and took Hodge extra time and effort to get caught up with her school’s demanding academic requirements. “It was all about balance,” Hodge said of all the DYW preparation. “I had lots of early mornings and late nights. You have to prioritize and plan well. At our school, you had papers due every class in every week at the same time. The load can be tough.” Hodge’s work and commitment to balance her priorities, however, paid off as she won the Shelby County title in June of 2022, the Alabama state title in January of 2023, and then the national title this past June.

The DYW competitions consist of a blend of academics, talent, fitness, and self-expression. Founded in 1958, the program is the oldest and largest college scholarship program for high school girls and changed its name from America’s Junior Miss to reflect its focus on academics. Hodge worked hard to prepare for each aspect of the local, state, and national contest. “Dance has really helped. Not just for talent, but you are doing fitness routines that have rhythm, cardiovascular strength, balance, and flexibility both as a group and in individual sections,” she said. “And I felt very comfortable in self-expression. During the preliminary sessions, you get your questions ahead of time, but during the final round it’s fishbowl style and you pull a question that is usually about current events. You have only a few seconds to think about your response.” While she felt well prepared, Hodge said she was initially shocked to qualify for the Alabama state program. “I was so excited and surprised and to be a representative of the state was great,” she recalled. “When I got to the top eight, I felt well prepared, but I was still surprised when they said my name as the winner.” Moving on to the national competition was more stressful–especially with the added pressure of keeping up with school–but Hodge said the experience was incredibly rewarding. The national competition is always held in Mobile, so the “home turf” gave Hodge extra confidence. “Alabama is very involved in the Distinguished Young Women program, and there is a lot of involvement at the local level, so there’s a huge support system for the girls,” she said. “Having that was a huge benefit.”

Carrington Hodge with parents
Carrington Hodge credits her parents, Terra and Lamar, with helping her succeed and keeping her grounded. The family attends First Baptist Church of Ensley.

A Family of Support. Greater than that support, though, was the support of her family. An only child, Hodge credits her parents Terra and Lamar with helping her succeed and keeping her grounded. “My mom is my best friend, but I’m also a daddy’s girl,” Hodge said. Her parents’ direction and advice have a huge impact on her, and she keeps their words in the forefront of her mind–as she competes, but at other times of her life as well. “My mom always tells me, ‘Put in the work, and the rewards will come.’ Throughout the whole process when it was tough balancing school, dance, and other activities, I always remember my mom’s advice,” she said. “She always encourages me to pursue my goals and strive for excellence.” She said her mother is a “backstage mom” who works like a manager for her; she also provides great advice to other girls participating in the competitions. And her dad? In addition to spending time together watching Marvel movies, listening to Motown music, and enjoying sports, Hodge said that her father gives excellent advice. “Remember who you are and whose you are,” is his most repeated adage. “This motto keeps me grounded and rooted in my faith,” she said. “It also reminds me that I represent far more than myself.” Hodge also points to her extended family, which includes a cousin who’s more like a sister and grandparents who all live in the Birmingham area.

Carrington Hodge on stage celebrating
Helena, Ala.’s Carrington Hodge was selected as the 2023 Distinguished Young Woman of America in Mobile on June 24, 2023. Having the national competition in her home state made it extremely comfortable for Carrington. “I loved it being in Mobile,” she said, “and I was so excited to be announced as the winner.”

A Faith that Makes Things Possible. Hodge credits her church as the first place she felt comfortable performing in front of others, and then as the place where her faith was rooted and has grown over the years. She and her family are longtime members of First Baptist Church of Ensley where her father serves as a deacon, and she attends regularly not just with her parents but with extended family. It’s a place, she said, where she feels comfortable and loved. As a child and teenager, Hodge participated in leading prayers, performing in church plays, and filling other roles in front of the congregation. “The church gave me a Christian foundation, but also gave me the chance to present and perform,” she remembered. “Church was the first place I really felt comfortable, and people recognized my ability, and I branched out from there.”

Seeing family members serve–her father as a deacon, mother as a deacon’s wife, grandmother as a church clerk, and cousins in the choir instilled in Hodge the importance of serving the church as well. She could often be found standing with her father as he greeted attendees as an usher, and she later helped run tech for the services. She said that having that example in front of you and then having those church members love and support your dreams is incredibly empowering. “Having that community of supporters who are loving and caring has been so wonderful,” she said. “They even had a celebration at church after I won nationals. It was very special.” Beyond church participation, Hodge said that prayer is vital to her life and manifested itself in many ways during her preparation for the DYW experience. “As a group, we prayed before each round of competition and the Alaska representative, Jazzie, and I prayed over each other every day,” she said. Her prayers during the competition reminded her to keep things in perspective. “It brought me back to my purpose, but it let me know that anything I do is His will,” she said. “My grandmother always reminds me of Proverbs 3:5-6 and I repeat it constantly to uplift and encourage myself.”

Watch this video to hear more about how growing up in the church shaped Hodge and learn more about why she chose to attend Vanderbilt University!

Carrington Hodge in blue dress
Carrington Hodge is a native of Helena, Ala. Cover Story photos courtesy Ruby Media & the Distinguished Young Women of America Organization.

A Future of Service. As Hodge embarks on her year as the new America’s Distinguished Young Woman, her main goal is to ease into life as a college student. The DYW program doesn’t ask too much of its reigning winners since its primary purpose is to encourage academics and college success. She’ll make some limited appearances and will be on hand to pass the medallion the next winner in Mobile next summer. She also plans to continue the service work she promotes as part of DYW’s “Be Your Best Self” program. The program encourages women to be healthy, ambitious, involved, responsible, and studious, with all winners asked to work actively all year to live out those priorities. Hodge starts this fall at Vanderbilt University with plans to major in neuroscience and minor in African American studies on a pre-med track. She will also be on Vanderbilt’s dance team. She received full tuition as a recipient of the school’s Chancellor’s Scholarship and plans on using her DYW scholarship money for medical school. As she looks ahead, she remembers the verse from her grandmother:“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

-Cheryl Wray is a freelance writer based in Hueytown; she’s a married mom of three and grandmother of six. 

 

Lindy and Jordan

Cover Story

Two moments stand out as pivotal in Lindy Cleveland’s quest to provide faith-based services to individuals with developmental disabilities. The first came on the day she moved into campus at Samford University when she found her brother Jordan sitting sadly outside her dorm. She and Jordan shared an incredibly close bond as siblings, and she looked at her brother with a special sense of concern. Jordan, who has Down’s Syndrome and a pulmonary heart condition, told her: “I want to do this. I want to go to college. I want to go to games and wear a shirt with my school’s name on it.” The seed of an idea was planted as she asked herself the question, “Why doesn’t he get to do those things?”

Lindy and Jordan at Lindy's graduation
Lindy and her brother Jordan have shared a close bond since they were children. Jordan, who is six years older than Lindy, is 37. Lindy’s career and calling came directly from her relationship with Jordan. She says that it led to her dedicating herself to working with individuals with disabilities.

The second moment came when Cleveland sat in a movie theater watching Dr. Seuss’ “The Lorax” with a group of special needs students as she approached her graduation from Samford. A line from the movie hit her like a ton of bricks. “I heard the line, ‘Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.’ I knew then that I had to do something.” She knew she could create some sort of program that would give Jordan a collegiate experience- and she knew that there could be potentially countless other special needs individuals and families that had only dreamed of that sort of program. She stepped out on faith, and today is the Founder and Executive Director of Unless U– a nonprofit that includes a main campus, a second campus for individuals with more extensive needs, and the Unless U Scoops ice cream shop. She lives in Birmingham with her husband Mitch (a special education teacher in the Vestavia Hills school system) and two sons Grady and Jordan Brooks (named for her brother). Through it all, Cleveland said, she has trusted God to direct her and the program’s steps.

The Need for Unless U and Post Place. According to Cleveland, the need for services for developmentally challenged individuals increases exponentially after high school. While around 90% of individuals have opportunities through high school, many of them lose them once they become adults and graduate from that system. Colleges and jobs are rarely an option for them and, Cleveland said, they may simply find themselves sitting at home with few possibilities ahead of them. Seeing her brother with that sense of incompletion and hopelessness in front of him touched her deeply and changed her plans. She founded Unless U (named after that motivational line from “The Lorax,” coupled with the “U” for a university) in 2014 after earning her degrees in human development and family life education.

Lindy with others at Post Place Opening
Pictured are Lindy Cleveland and Post Place director Jennifer Greer with Kara and her daughter, Anna Bishop, for whom the Post Place Campus’ Anna Center was named.

“We started with four adults in my parent’s house in August of 2014,” she remembered. “Our home church, Shades Mountain Baptist, offered us some space, and in November we started with 10 students.” She used the church three days a week, but enrollment quickly grew from 10 to 20 to 30 to 40, and she and her staff began praying about building a facility. Property across from Vestavia Hills Methodist Church became available to them, and Unless U relished the opportunity at the location. “Since we’re a day program, location matters to our families,” she explained. “We’re here, in the heart of the town. When we drew a circle that showed where the 60 families we served at the time were located, it was perfect for the location.” A capital campaign to raise $1.2 million was launched and in 2018 it was moved to $2 million. “The Lord provided what we needed, and we moved in debt-free,” Cleveland said.

They began growing their program, offering such services as different academic ability-level classes, electives, intramural sports, and other things you might find on a college campus. Soon after, however, Cleveland and her staff realized that another segment of the people they served needed more care and concern. The Unless U Post Place opened to work with individuals who have both behavioral and physical limitations. “I was convicted that we didn’t have a space for these students who need more care. They are even more marginalized within the special needs community,” she explains. A special room was built for that group of students and in June 2021, it welcomed five different families into the program; soon it added a second class with five more families. “I found out I was pregnant with my second son right before opening, and we had just one classroom,” Cleveland said. “We didn’t promote the space, but while I was at home my emails were just blowing up. People were so desperate for this service.” Ultimately, a second campus space was opened in a space left empty by an organization already serving developmentally challenged students. It was just five minutes from their main campus. “The Lord provided again for us because it was perfect,” she said. A director, Jennifer Greet, was hired and the facility opened in August 2022. It serves 24 students a day and represents 52 families. Three teachers and volunteers work so that students can get true one-on-one attention. “It’s an amazing program that provides life skills and social skills,” she said. “We’re just so pleased to offer this to our families.”

Watch this video to hear Cleveland explain how her faith leads her in every aspect of her life and how local churches have helped Unless U expand.

Unless U Scoops Workers
Unless U Scoops provides students with real world job experience, as they sell ice cream and interact with the Vestavia Hills and Birmingham community. Unless U Scoops, 737 Chesnut Street, Vestavia Hills, 35216, is open Monday-Friday from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Building Community through Ice Cream. Unless U provides opportunities for the “whole person”- including the opportunity to work. “We serve students in our main campus academically, spiritually, and socially, and now we’re trying to save them vocationally. We want to serve the whole person,” Cleveland said, adding, “We want to create job training opportunities because we know how important that is. They want to work, but parents often are afraid about it because these individuals have been hurt by co-workers and the public in the past.” She stressed that “we need to make sure they’re being respected and treated well in the workplace.” The answer from Unless U was their Scoops ice cream shop, which opened next to their main campus in Vestavia Hills in 2021. Students who work at Scoops wear their shirts to school, walk to work, and go on their shifts. While there they learn such valuable skills as handling money, interacting with the public, and building a good work ethic. Cleveland said that the students who work there are true “ambassadors for those with disabilities,” and their presence creates a real-life learning lab for customers and the public. “Scoops is a perfect environment to engage our students with the community, and to teach how important it is to love everyone,” she said. “Come get ice cream, bring your family. It’s a great way to break down barriers between us.”

Lindy and Family
Lindy and her husband Mitch live in Birmingham with their two sons Grady and Jordan Brooks.

Image Bearers of Christ. Cleveland’s passion for working with people with developmental disabilities is rooted in her Christian faith, and she encourages all Christians to consider their attitudes, biases, and perspectives on the special needs community. “We need to remember that everyone is made in the image of Christ. We are image bearers, they are image bearers,” she said. “We want to celebrate and empower them as image bearers. I believe that might change society’s views of disabilities.”

Cleveland said that it’s important that people get to know others–not for their diagnosis, but for their personhood. “We need to get to know them as people first,” she said. “They have the same fears, hobbies, and likes as anyone. We need to know that they’re people too- just like us. Treat them with that understanding and respect.” Cleveland has led first with faith, as she ventured into every step of the Unless U journey. That, she said, has shown God’s faithfulness to her and has blessed her more than she could have ever imagined. “In loving the children God loves, that’s been the biggest blessing of my life,” she said. “They exemplify the qualities of our Lord and Savior.” By founding Unless U, she ultimately honors those children–including her brother Jordan, who inspired her work and is enthusiastically involved in the school. She’s able to see him every day- fulfilled and encouraged to live into his potential as one of God’s children.

-Cheryl Wray

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