Our Team

God has blessed us with an amazing team and we wanted parents and others to see more about each team member who serves here at Fishers of Men. We began to pray Luke 10:2 for God to send workers for us here at Fishers and He has been faithful to send us kingdom workers.

Luke 10:2 He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field

Beth Johnson

Executive Director/ Founder

The Lord called me to start Fishers of Men when I approached my 40th birthday. I have been working in advertising sales for over 10 years. I started my own advertising agency to be available to follow His leading. God answered so many prayers and led me to West Laurel Baptist. I am a mother of three children and I firmly believe in the call and importance of passing on the knowledge of God’s faithfulness and mighty acts to future generations. We must on purpose teach them of the deeds of the Lord, between work, sports, house duties, it’s so easy to not do this consistently. I believe we are putting Bible back in school so to speak, after school, summer, and school breaks.

I was brought up in church. I was saved July 26, 1996, going into my senior year of high school. However, I had an experience, a renewed commitment when I turned 40, with Jesus as LORD. After a period of fasting, God called me with a purpose to start Fishers of Men. We are now a member of West Laurel Baptist church and committed to this important work. We hope to open many more centers with other churches and community partners.

Psalm 78:6-7 so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. ⁷Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.

Chris Chapin

Music Teacher: General Music

Chris Chapin (Mr. Chris) graduated from Washington State University in 1978 with a B.A. In Saxophone Performance

and a B.S. In Music Education. He taught music for 5 years in public school. He also spent 15 years in a National Guard band.

Chris has taught private music lessons for 25 years on piano, sax, clarinet and flute.

Mr. Chris because a Christian in 1973. With his wife, Elaine, he has been active in children’s ministry for 25 years.

Kristen Pry

Teacher / Tutor/ Designee

I hold my Master’s degree in Elementary education from Grand Canyon University. I also hold a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Keller School of Management.

I have 8 years experience in education between Jones County Schools and Laurel City Schools.

With Jones County Schools I was a substitute teacher from K-6th grade. In 2015, I began as an assistant teacher with Laurel School District in 2nd grade and moved to Kindergarten the following year. In 2019, I did my student teacher at Mason Elementary in a 1st grade classroom. Due to Covid, I took a short break and went back in 2021 to Mason Elementary where I taught K-1st grade. Once we moved to Nora Davis Elementary in 2023 I was the interventionist for 2nd-4th and was moved this school year (24/25) to teach 2nd grade Math. I have taught ELA and Math over the course of 4 years.

I was born and raised in a Pentecostal church. In 2013, I fully surrendered my life to Jesus Christ and allowed him to use me for his kingdom which has led me into elementary education. I strongly feel the Lord led me to Fishers of Men to help spread his love to the children in and around Laurel. I am a member of Ellisville First of Assembly of God and have attended church here since 2001. Over the years I have helped with our vacation Bible school along with assisting with classes, attending youth camp as a counselor, and attending youth conferences.

Fishers of Men has been a blessing to my family and me. I felt the Lord was giving me an opportunity to serve him on a different level. Being at Fishers of Men has taught me so much about my walk with the Lord and has given me an opportunity to grow in my walk with him.

My favorite scriptures are:

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Hope Kelley

Teacher / Tutor / Designee

My name is Hope Kelley.

I teach second grade at North Jones Elementary. I have 14 years experience teaching and hold a Master’s degree in Elementary Education.

Before I became a teacher, I worked at Salem Heights Aftercare and was a substitute teacher in Laurel and Jones County School districts.

I am a member of The Agape Church in downtown Laurel where I serve in Agape Kids department teaching.

I have a 12 year old daughter, who keeps me very busy with Shady Grove Youth Basketball and Magnolia Heat AAU basketball, as well as church and Beta Club events.

Lastly, over the past year, I can now say that I am a breast cancer survivor. This has shaped how I live my life and understand that each day is precious. I thank God for my gift of teaching and each student that I come in contact with, as well as my relationships with friends, family, and coworkers.

Fisher’s of Men has added meaning and purpose to my life since July of 2024. I am blessed to serve in this ministry.

My favorite verse is Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Terry Perkins

Teacher

Terry Perkins is a retired teacher and licensed professional counselor with master’s degrees in elementary education and mental health counseling. She has 15 years of teaching and 19 years of counseling experience. A widow after 52 years of marriage, she came to faith in Christ through her husband’s example. She has two grown daughters and a granddaughter. Terry is an active member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, where she sings in the choir, teaches Vacation Bible School, and substitutes in her adult Sunday school class. She and her late husband were deeply involved in various church ministries. Though retired, she feels called by God to continue equipping children with Biblical knowledge, helping them grow in their faith. Her
favorite scripture is Romans 8:38-39.

Steve Tolar

Piano Teacher

Steve Tolar—known to some as Doug—is our dedicated church pianist at West Laurel Baptist Church, where he has faithfully served for seven years.

A lifelong resident of Laurel, Mississippi, Steve came to know the Lord at the age of nine. His love for music and ministry began early—he started playing in church at age ten and went on to serve as a church organist throughout his high school years.

Steve also proudly served our country in the United States military for 25 years.

Today, he finds joy serving at Fishers of Men, where he cherishes the opportunity to invest in and give back to the next generation. We are truly grateful to have him as part of our team.

Aaron Parker

Music Teacher

I am Aaron Parker, and I primarily teach guitar, bass, and piano at Fishers of Men. Outside of
Fishers of Men, I am a devoted follower of Jesus Christ, our risen Savior, and a devoted
husband and father of two boys. I am also an attorney by trade, and I have been practicing law
around Laurel and Hattiesburg for over a decade.
As a small child, my mom played piano at our small church, and around age 5 or 6, I began
playing songs by ear on the piano after my mom would practice for church. Since that time,
music has been a lifelong passion of mine; and as long as I am living, I intend to use music as a
means of both worshipping our Creator and ministering to others. So working with the children at Fishers of Men is an amazing opportunity for me to not just teach children about music, but to
teach them about Jesus, about the love of God, and just how special and amazing each one of
them truly is.
With so many young kids turning to various outlets that do not glorify God, my primary goal is to help point them to the truth and hope of Christ and prepare them, musically and spiritually, to
take their place in the corporate church and elsewhere as musicians and worship leaders. As
the world around us grows dim, I pray that these children become the mighty warriors, kingdom-
shakers, and vision-builders of their generation. May their “little lights” shine bright from the fire
of the Holy Spirit within them, always giving glory to our Father, Savior, and King!

Charity Clark

Teacher / Tutor/ Designee

My name is Charity Clark. I am a wife and mother of two college students. I teach at North Jones Elementary. This is my 23rd year of teaching. I have a Forestry Technology degree, a Bachelors in Education and my Masters in Special Education. I attended Temple Baptist Church of Laurel and have served here at Fishers of Men since October 2024.

Karen Gatlin

Substitute Teacher

My name is Karen Gatlin. I’m a wife and a mother to three children that I homeschool. I am a nurse practitioner by education and practiced medicine for ten years before returning home to fulfill a higher calling of stay-at-home mom. I served six years in the Army National Guard and spent one year in Iraq on deployment for Operation Iraqi Freedom. I became a follower of Jesus at the age of 12 and have been devoted to serving Him since. I have been serving as Children’s MInister for seven years and I enjoy serving on the foreign mission field when possible.

Clay Johnson

Music Teacher: Guitar, Drums, Ukulele

My name is Clay Johnson. Beth and I have three children. We are members of West Laurel Baptist Church. I accepted Christ in 2007. I have been actively serving the Lord since Fishers of Men was opened. I teach guitar, drums, and ukulele at the center. I started playing guitar my 9th grade year in 1993. I stopped playing music around 15 years ago. As Fishers Of Men has grown, I felt that I would better be used at the center by teaching music. So after a 15 year break, I am playing music again. On January 25, 2024 we had our first guitar lesson. These kids are getting such a head start in music at such a young age. My goal is that by the time they are teenagers, going on stage and playing at church, they will have done it so long, it will be just what they do, with no nerves. I tell all the kids, I’ve never met an adult who wishes they couldn’t play music, it’s always the other way around!

Isaiah 38:16-17 Lord, by such things people live; and my spirit finds life in them too. You restored me to health and let me live. Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction; you have put all my sins behind your back.

Mary Ann Bryant

Music Teacher: Piano / Volunteer

My name is Mary Ann Bryant. I came to know Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior at age 9 and at age 14 knew that God had a calling on my life. I graduated from William Cary College and majored in Bible and served as a missionary journeyman in Africa for two years. After that I met and married my husband, Eddie Bryant, who was a pastor and served as a pastor’s wife for over 50 years. I am a member of Tucker Crossing Baptist Church where my husband retired in 2020 after pastoring 42 years.
I have served as a volunteer at Fishers of Men since its very beginning, helping the students with homework and group activities. Then the Lord open the door for me to be assistant to the piano teacher helping young students develop basic skills in learning to read music. I love music and it’s a joy to see children love music and learn the skills needed to play an instrument.
Fishers of Men at West Laurel Baptist Church with its emphasis on Bible and music is an amazing ministry that is growing and blessing many families in Jones County. It is a joy to serve here with such a devoted staff.

Henrietta Brown

Teacher

My name is Henrietta Brown. I am an Alopecia warrior. The unique thing about me is you may see me wearing a hat at times or just being my authentic self. I believe God gives his children oppositions we must face. When HE does , HE always gives us strength and courage to persevere. Having and embracing Alopecia has been a joy and an encouragement to others.

I received Christ at an early age. I am a member of William Chapel United Methodist Church, in Paulding, Ms. I am the Chairman of the Administrative Council. I sing in the choir, teach Adult Sunday School, VBS, and a member of the United Women in Faith.

When I am not involved in church ministry, you can find me enjoying reading, studying the scriptures, cooking, or enjoying family and friends. I am married to my husband, Michael. We like to travel and spend time together.

I’ve been in education for 27 years as a Teacher’s Assistant, teaching students from ages k-5, to first grade. I currently work at Oak Park Elementary in first grade. I also tutor students in my spare time to help them achieve their goals. I’ve been successful in tutoring, by helping students pass their 3rd grade State MAAP test, High School Biology State test., AR reading and increasing IReady scores.

I have been blessed working with Fishers of Men. When I tell you that I filled out the application for this job three times, and didn’t hit the submit button until the fourth time, I knew God had given me what I had asked of HIM!!,

I have been thrilled and excited to work with this ministry, an opportunity to train up a train in the way they should go and hopefully not to depart from it. I know, God will lead you where you need to be if you trust HIM.

My favorite scripture is, ” Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not to your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge HIM, and he will direct thy paths.”-Proverbs 3:5-6