staff leadership team
Pastor Freddy T. Wyatt
Years ago, the grace of God captured Freddy T.'s heart and the glory of God became his aim in life. Today, he is a passionate preacher of God's word, a risk-taking, baseball loving, espresso drinking, old book hunting, happy husband and dad. And if you look closely, you'll see - Freddy T. is really just an ordinary guy with an extraordinary God.
Freddy T. and his wife Susan were born and raised in Clarksville, Tennessee. In 2008, four years into their marriage, with an almost two-year old and twins on the way, Freddy T. and Susan moved to New York City to help plant Gallery Church. While living in Manhattan, Freddy T. also served as the Director of Southern Seminary's New York City Extension Center. After NYC, and before returning to his hometown to start Real Life, Freddy T. also served as a pastor in Scottsdale, Arizona.
In 2017, Freddy T. became a contributing author to the study notes of The Jesus Bible. Freddy T. loves coaching and caring for pastors and missionaries through a ministry he founded in 2022 called Strong Pastors.
Freddy T. and Susan are raising a joyful pack of future world changers: Jack (17), Elliott (15), Lillie (15), and Parker (11). A prayer they often pray for their kiddos is, "God save them, send them where you want them to go, and spend them out for your glory."
Hear all the latest from Freddy T. on his weekly podcast that he records with Real Lifer, Grant Lowder.
Social: Twitter: @FreddyT Facebook: /freddy.wyatt
Ben Reed-
Executive Pastor
Ben was born, raised, and found Jesus in Clarksville. A graduate of Southern Seminary, he has been a vocational pastor at 6 different churches over his time in ministry. After pastoring in a couple of different churches in TN, he and his family moved out west, where they would pastor in CA and AZ. He has led in student ministry, small groups, adult ministries and campus ministries. Ben wrote a book on small groups, and has written various Bible studies for different publications, including Lifeway.
Ben and his wife Laura have been married since 2004. Laura is currently working on her Masters degree in counseling. They have 3 kids: Rex is a cross country runner, Gracie Kate is into crafts and cheerleading, and Nash lives life like it’s a constant adventure. Their family loves good movies, good food, and being active.
Clay Knight -
Student Pastor
Clay was born and raised in Campobello, South Carolina where he began his relationship with Jesus at the age of 8. Growing up, Clay was involved in competitive sports running cross country and track in high school and in college. Going to college at North Greenville was an incredible time for Clay because the Lord used the local church he served at to call him into vocational ministry. Clay began serving the students at LifeSong church and saw his passion for serving students come alive. God called Clay into ministry during the church’s summer camp when he saw students make professions of faith. He served as a small group leader, intern, and coach for their ministry while he finished a youth ministry degree at North Greenville.
Clay is passionate about student discipleship and challenging students to have an impact now. He loves to learn and is always trying something new. You will likely find Clay playing sports, reading a book, or hanging out with students. Clay and his wife Millie are excited about serving the students of Clarksville.
Rob Simpson - Children’s Pastor
Rob is a West Tennessee native who came to know and trust Christ through the beauty of the local church as a teen. After completing his BA in Digital Media Communications from Union University, the Lord called Rob and his wife Katy into church planting as they served on the founding staff of Storyline Church in Arvada, CO. In Rob’s time there, he completed his M.Div. through Gateway Seminary and wore many hats from communications, students, pastoral care, kids, young adults, and more. God called the Simpsons back to the south in 2019, where Rob served as Pastor to Kids and Families at West Jackson Baptist Church in Jackson, TN, before joining the Real Life pastoral team. Rob is projected to graduate in May of 2025 with a Doctorate of Ministry in Discipleship through Southern Seminary with a focus on Fatherhood and Family Discipleship. Rob and his wife Katy are college sweethearts and have three elementary-aged sons: Grady, Bo, and Parker. Rob’s passion for kids ministry stems from a desire to see the next generation shaped through God’s intended primary means of discipleship—the family. His hope is to equip the families of Real Life to honor God, know His word, and live on mission as they empower their children to do the same. He and Katy love serving in ministry together and taking big theological truths and introducing them on a child’s level in fun and engaging ways. Outside of church, you can find the Simpsons at a sporting event for one of their boys, enjoying a cup of coffee, and spending time with the people they love.
Donnie and Beth Crawford - Coordinators of Congregational Care
Donnie was born and raised in Old Hickory, TN. He attended Lipscomb University where he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior, as a college freshman in 1977. He went on and furthered his education and received his medical degree at the University of Tennessee in Memphis. He came to Clarksville 36 years ago to join a practice as an OB/GYN. Donnie retired in 2022.
Beth has lived in Clarksville all her life, where she accepted Christ at the age of 14, but was not baptized until the age of 38, when she and her daughter were baptized together. Beth is a retired middle school teacher.
Donnie and Beth have been married for 22 years and have 5 children and 9 grandchildren. They enjoy traveling, spending time with their grandchildren, and Donnie enjoys shooting sporting clays.
They both have known Freddy T. for years. When they saw him and he told them about planting a church in Sango, they knew that would be their new church home. They have attended since the very first service. They both have a passion for ministering to others and providing or coordinating help when needed.
Sam and Julia Mynhier - Directors of Next Steps
Sam was born and raised outside Nashville, Tennessee and grew up with his family in church. Having always been involved in children's ministry, youth groups, conferences, and seeing his parents lead a ministry in their church, he developed a relationship with Christ and became involved with the church from an early age. Julia grew up in Pleasant View, Tennessee and also came to know Christ as a child. She was an active part of her church's youth group, helped her mother teach Sunday School to first graders, and enjoyed serving on mission trips every summer in high school.
These two met and dated throughout college at Austin Peay State University. After getting married in 2017, they knew God was calling them to find a church to plug into and serve, and found Real Life a few weeks after its launch in 2018. Sam and Julia have a heart for making people feel welcome and getting them connected to other followers of Christ, which is why they love leading the Next Steps team.
Sam graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication and returned to his alma mater as the Assistant Director of Annual Giving. He is also a part of Summit Church's Future Leader Cohort. Julia graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication and a minor in Leadership Science, and currently works as a Senior Social Media Specialist at Ramsey Solutions. They have one daughter Caroline (2) and have 1 Blue Heeler Lab named Walker.
Steve Hantschel - Worship Team Coordinator
Steven was born in Wisconsin, and lived there through late 2017 when he and his family moved to Clarksville. He accepted Christ into his heart at the age of 18.
Shortly after accepting Christ, Steven felt the call to minister to others through music. He answered that call, teaching himself guitar by practicing and playing worship songs. Ever since, he has been leading worship and playing on worship teams at various churches, events, and youth groups.
Steven and his wife Emily, along with their kids Payton (14), Micah (12), and Cora (7) attended the launch service of Real Life at Carmel Elementary. Shortly after, Steven and Emily began serving on the Real-Life worship team. Steven always says Emily is the talented one, I’m just along for the ride!
Steven works in the dairy industry and has for 15 years. He is a huge fan of Wisconsin sports teams - Packers, Brewers, Bucks, Badgers.
Dava Murgas-
Babies- PreK Director
Dava was born and raised in the Sango area in Clarksville, TN. She grew up going to a small country church where most of her family attended. She accepted Jesus as her savior when she was 7 years old and was baptized shortly after. She graduated from Clarksville High School and went on to fulfill her dream of being a successful hairdresser and salon owner.
Dava has been married to her husband, Antonio since 2006 and they have 3 boys.The Lord led Dava and Antonio to be part of the core team that helped get Real Life Sango started. Dava served as a volunteer in the Real Life’s Babies and Pre-K ministry for 6 years before she felt called to lead the ministry. She loves babies and kids and is honored to be a tool for the Lord to help kids know who Jesus is.
Grant Lowder-
College Minister
Grant grew up in the church, but it wasn’t until 2017 that God’s power and grace became the only tangible reality to live for. Through intentional discipleship, God appointed Grant for the simple mission of seeing spiritual generations flourish and replicate.
Grant and his wife Lauren grew up in the Nolensville area just south of Nashville. Grant and Lauren were married in 2019 where they lived in Jacksonville, NC volunteering and laboring alongside the Navigators ministry at Camp Lejeune. Grant transitioned out of the Marine Corps in 2020 and remained in the Camp Lejeune area for another two years to be formally equipped and trained in discipleship.
Grant and Lauren moved to Clarksville in August of 2022 where they immediately got plugged in with college ministry at Austin Peay. They began attending Real Life in June of 2023 where they wanted to continue serving and investing in the college and young-adult community.
Grant and Lauren have two daughters Rebecca (3) and Sara (18mo). Grant works full-time for a national advertising agency and Lauren works full-time for a non-profit her mom started called Ordinary Hero.
Grant absolutely loves engaging with the next generation on social media via his YouTube Channel, @thebetterwordhd
Shawn Degraw
Shawn was born and raised in Central California. He came to accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior after attending Real Life Church in 2021. Shawn has been happily married to his wife Tammi for 36 years. They have two children and 5 grandchildren, all living in Clarksville. Shawn and his wife Tammi were drawn to Clarksville in 2020 after their children and grandchildren moved here for work.
Shortly thereafter, they were introduced to Real Life by a neighbor. They started watching services online, then began attending in person. They felt so loved and accepted by the congregation, they never visited another church. They knew Real Life was their home. After attending the Path, Shawn and Tammi began volunteering; him with the Welcome Team and her with the kids ministry. Sundays quickly became their favorite day of the week. Shawn also volunteers in the kids ministry and periodically serves communion.
Shawn retired in May 2023 after 32 years as a program manager in the technology industry. He quickly found himself longing for a greater purpose. The Lord called on Shawn to fulfill a need on the church staff where he supports the finance ministry.
Susan Wyatt-
Executive Assistant
Susan was born and raised in Clarksville. She came to know the Lord as an 8 year old. Together with her husband, Freddy T., they have 4 kids, Jack, Elliott, Lillie and Parker. After serving in churches in the northeast and southwest, the Lord brought them back to Clarksville to plant Real Life Church.
Susan spends most of her free time at her kids sporting events, but when she’s not there she loves being at home with her family.