Our Team
Tyler and brooke Martin
campus pastors
Tyler and Brooke have been leading Chi Alpha at UT for the past eight years. They’re originally from Arkansas but moved to Knoxville because they believe that the world is going to be reached through students at The University of Tennessee. They have traveled the world but their favorite adventure so far has been raising their two sons, Beniah (3) and Elias (newborn).
Tyler is committed to walk with students from their first yes to Jesus to becoming disciple-makers. He’s seen God transform student's lives time and time again and is still just as passionate to see it happen again. He graduated from The University of the Ozarks with a degree in Physical Education. Off campus, he loves basketball, golf, and chasing his son Beniah around the zoo or Chuck E. Cheese.
Brooke is passionate about helping the Bible come alive for students. She’s spent years leading d-groups and now loves equipping the next generation of missionaries through Chi Alpha’s internship. She graduated from Evangel University with a degree in Biblical Studies and minors in Church Leadership and Music. Outside of ministry, Brooke loves cooking, traveling with Tyler, and hanging with her boys.
Emily Richard
staff
Emily is all about discipleship. She loves helping students dig into the Bible, grow in their faith, and catch a vision for reaching the unreached around the world. Nothing brings her more joy than watching students fall in love with Jesus and live on mission.
She graduated from Arkansas State with a degree in Business Management. It was during her freshman year—after getting invited to a d-group—that she heard the gospel in a way that finally made sense. Through Scripture and watching her friends find freedom in Jesus, she met Him for real and everything changed.
After college, she followed God’s lead to Knoxville and has been making disciples at UTK ever since. When she’s not on campus, she’s probably poolside, hanging with friends, or trying out a new sourdough recipe.
Jessica Wunder
staff
Jess is all about the gospel and helping others share it, too. She especially loves welcoming international students into her life and building real friendships that point to Jesus.
She graduated from UTK with a degree in Public Relations. During her time in Chi Alpha, she saw God show up in big ways—healing, saving, and bringing freedom to her friends. Now she gets to see Him do it again and again in students’ lives.
When she’s not on campus, Jess is probably outside—hiking, running, backpacking, or saying yes to any adventure someone pitches.
Braxton and Leah wright
staff
Braxton has a heart for seeing young men shaped into men of God—full of integrity, character, and a love for Scripture. He’s passionate about helping students not just read the Bible, but live it.
He graduated from UTK with a degree in History and Education. During college, he met Jesus for himself and everything changed. Since then, he’s been all in on helping others experience that same transformation.
When he’s not on campus, Braxton is probably lifting weights, experimenting with a new recipe, or reading a fantasy novel.
Leah loves learning more about Jesus and the Bible and she’s all about discovering truth with students. She finds so much joy in leading small group, building deep friendships, and walking with people as they grow in faith.
She graduated from UTK with a degree in Architecture and a minor in Spanish. Chi Alpha became her home during college—the place where she met God in a real way and realized there’s nothing better than sharing Jesus with others.
In her free time, you’ll usually find Leah with a book in hand or working on a craft project.
Noah miller
staff
Noah is passionate about seeing students come alive in a real relationship with Jesus. He loves helping people take bold steps of faith, share the gospel, and make disciples.
He graduated from UTK with a degree in Civil Engineering and it was during his freshman year in Chi Alpha that he really surrendered his life to Jesus. After that, he couldn’t imagine doing anything else but helping others experience the same love and transformation.
Outside of ministry, you can find him with his wife Abby, playing or watching sports, or watching Survivor. (Yes, he has a favorite season.)
Taia Sorrell
Second year cmit
Taia loves partnering with God as He reveals Himself to students. She’s passionate about creating spaces where people feel seen, loved, and challenged to grow deeper with Jesus.
She graduated from UTK with a degree in Neuroscience. During college, Chi Alpha became the place where she learned to live in authentic community and discovered deep intimacy with Jesus. That experience changed everything—and she joined our team because she knows her life isn’t her own; it was bought with a price.
These days, you’ll likely find her outside soaking up nature, trying new food spots, or dominating on the pickleball court (seriously, you want her on your team!).
Maddie ashburn
second year cmit
Maddie loves walking with students as they discover who God is and what it means to follow Him. She gets especially excited when students start hearing God’s voice and finding freedom in obeying Him.
She graduated from UTK with a degree in Animal Science. In college, she let go of her own plans and trusted God with her future—and it changed everything. Now she’s all in on seeing discipleship transform lives, starting right here on campus.
When she’s not with students, Maddie is probably on the pickleball court or cheering on the Vols!
eden allen
CMIT
Eden is one of our interns this year, and she can’t wait to see what God does this year! She’s pumped to lead her d-group and believes students are going to encounter Jesus in deeper ways this year.
She graduated last year with a degree in Biosystems Engineering. During her time in Chi Alpha, her faith became her own. She learned how to seek God, hear His voice, and share her faith with confidence. That’s why she signed up for the internship—because she believes college students are worth fighting for.
Eden loves quality time, long walks, and a good puzzle night with friends.
Henry ott
cmit
Henry is also an intern this year and is so expectant for what God has in store! He’s excited to grow in his own walk with God while helping others meet Jesus for themselves.
He graduated from UTK with a degree in Electrical Engineering. Chi Alpha is where he found real relationship with God through real community, and that's what led him to fall in love with sharing Jesus on campus. He's sticking around as a CMIT to give others the same opportunity.
Henry loves running, listening to history podcasts, and repping the Vols!