Who We Are
Bryce Johnson
Founder/President
Bryce Johnson is the President and Founder of UNPACKIN’ it® Ministries, a nonprofit organization launched in 2014. Its mission is to challenge, encourage, and inspire sports fans to follow Jesus and become more like Him.
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Passionate about seeing sports fans everywhere follow Jesus, Bryce relates sports stories to life and faith through writing, speaking, and hosting his weekly podcasts.
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Following his Appalachian State University graduation, where he received a Communications/Electronic Media Broadcasting degree, Bryce hosted syndicated radio shows heard on Christian stations and SiriusXM’s Dan Patrick Channel, Sports Byline USA Network, and ESPN Charlotte.
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Author of The Sports Devotional and The Fantasy Football Fellowship Playbook, Bryce has been a contributor to the Bible App, Promise Keepers, Sports Spectrum, Salem Web Network, and Athletes In Action.
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A proud alumnus of APP State, he cheers for the Mountaineers, as well as his favorite sports teams: the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Hornets, LA Lakers, and Duke basketball.
Bryce, who lives with his wife, Jodi, and daughters, Maddie and Mikayla, is based in Charlotte, North Carolina. You can connect with him at bryce@unpackinit.com.
Our Staff
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Darla Johnson
Darla Johnson is the Co-Founder and Vice President of UNPACKIN’ it, Ministries. She began the journey with Bryce when they launched his college-created show, SPORTS YAPP®, in Charlotte, NC, in 2009.
Earning a journalism degree from Valparaiso University in Indiana and graduating from Denver Paralegal Institute in Colorado, Darla is a former paralegal who has held staff and leadership positions at local churches and written feature articles for various publications.
Darla writes and edits content, creates graphics, manages the website, communicates with donors, and organizes UNPACKIN' it events.
Married to her husband, Dean, they live near Mountain Island Lake in NC, within minutes of their three sons and wives, and seven grandchildren.
Matt Osborne
Matt Osborne is a staff writer, editor, and podcast/video producer for UNPACKIN’ it Ministries. With a background in sports media and church ministry, UNPACKIN’ it is a perfect fit for two of his favorite interests: Jesus and sports!
Matt assists UNPACKIN’ it by writing and editing our email and Bible App devotionals, along with the ministry’s small group curriculum. He also plays a role in helping with the video production of The UNPACKIN’ it Podcast and The Fantasy Football Fellowship Podcast.
Living in Georgia with his wife, Bryana, and children, David and Charlotte, a few of Matt’s favorite activities include taking family walks, reading Christian books, and fellowshipping with believers at his local church.
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Matt Dukes
Matt Dukes is UNPACKIN’ it’s Finance and Administration Director. He has successfully worked in accounting and finance for over 34 years, including multiple industries as an AVP of finance and investments, a public accountant, and a financial controller for various for-profit and not-for-profit organizations.
Originally from Ohio, Matt has a B.S. degree in Accounting from Pensacola Christian College, is an Advanced QB Certified ProAdvisor, Certified ProAdvisor Payroll, and is a registered IRS tax preparer.
Married to Katharine, Matt enjoys volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and Loaves and Fishes. He’s a 1983 state champion soccer player and, in his free time, enjoys all organized sports with his adult son. GO BUCKS! Go Browns!
Our Board
Justin Ckezepis
​Justin Ckezepis grew up in the Charlotte area. He first met Bryce while attending Appalachian State University and will likely tell you that he got his first "big break" when Bryce let him operate the board during Bryce’s campus show, SPORTS YAPP.
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Justin attended law school after graduating with a Communications/Electronic Media Broadcasting degree. He became a licensed North Carolina attorney and started a real estate transaction firm. Exiting his practice in 2021, he now focuses on Real Estate Development.
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Justin currently resides in Cornelius, North Carolina, with his wife, Demi, and two children, Noah and Emi Rae. He enjoys spending time with his family, boating on Lake Norman, and rooting for the Charlotte Panthers, Hornets, and Hounds.
Pastor Ray Hardee
Ray McKay Hardee is the lead pastor and Cultural Architect at The Pointe Church and continues to teach as an Adjunct Professor of Human Services at Gardner-Webb University.
He specializes in community cultural architecture, stewarding time and influence, and drawing the community together for greater purposes.
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Ray holds a Master’s Degree in Religion from Harvard University and Counseling from UNCC and is studying for a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies.
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Married to his Gardner-Webb University sweetheart, Andrea, Ray has three children and three grandchildren. He humbly shares with others, “I’m a NOBODY telling EVERYBODY about the ONE BODY who can save ANYBODY and make them SOMEBODY in HIM.”
Anthony Eshaghi
Anthony Eshaghi has spent most of his career in the technology consulting industry. He currently leads the manufacturing and distribution industry for Torrent Consulting, a mid-size Salesforce and business process consulting firm. In addition, he previously served as the lead elder for The Pointe Church.
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As a lifelong UVA and Buffalo Bills fan, he enjoys watching football and basketball. In his spare time, he's active in his church and likes hiking in the mountains, boating on Lake Wylie, and attending live music/sporting events.
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Growing up in Virginia and graduating from Radford University, Anthony has lived in the Charlotte area since 2002. He is married to Andrea, and they have three children: Eden, Evelyn, and Abram.
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Scott Absher
Scott Absher began his entrepreneurial education at a young age, working in a family-owned small business. He graduated from Appalachian State University, receiving a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Finance and Insurance.
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After a 30-year career at Prudential, holding key roles as a financial professional, Scott became involved in start-up businesses, limited partnerships, and consulting with successful franchise owners.
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Scott's core values are humility, trust, transparency, and resilience. He believes in giving back, has had vital mentorship roles, taught financial stewardship at his church, and volunteered as a consultant for non-profit organizations. His family, faith, and community are integral parts of Scott's life.
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Patrick McAuley
Patrick McAuley is a believer, father, husband, and partner at Grant Thornton LLP.
Introduced to Bryce and UNPACKIN’ it through a few mutual friends, he feels called to serve the ministry and is honored to be on the Board to help convey UNPACKIN’ it’s message.
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Patrick resides in Charlotte, North Carolina with his wife, Marcy, and three children, Reagan, Rose, and Johnny.
When he’s not chasing after the kids or working a deal, he likes to be outside golfing, skiing, or hiking…and is an avid sports fan.
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Casey Shannon
Casey Shannon is the Executive Director of From His Heart Ministries.
Prior to his call to media ministry leadership in 2015, he earned a degree from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, LA, and had a twelve-year career in broadcast and corporate communications management.
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His passion is looking for new ways to connect as many people as possible to the life-transforming power of the gospel and help them develop a personal relationship with Jesus.
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An avid sports enthusiast, he's enjoyed being a Fantasy Football commissioner of two leagues for over 15 years. Married to his college sweetheart, Kate, they have two daughters.
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Griffin Gum
Casey Shannon is the Executive Director of From His Heart Ministries.
Before his call to media ministry leadership in 2015, he earned a degree from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, LA, and had a twelve-year career in broadcast and corporate communications management.
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His passion is looking for new ways to connect as many people as possible to the life-transforming power of the gospel and help them develop a personal relationship with Jesus.
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An avid sports enthusiast, he has enjoyed being a Fantasy Football commissioner of two leagues for over 15 years. Casey is married to his college sweetheart, Kate, and they have two daughters.