David Ashley
Not your average preacher. Pastor David Ashley, a/k/a: The Pastor of Pump, is a battle-tested leader forged in two arenas most men never master—the weight room and the Word of God. With over 35 years in the fitness industry, he’s built bodies. With master’s degrees in both Apologetics and Divinity, he builds souls. And when he steps into the pulpit—or onto the gym floor—he’s not handing out cotton candy and clichés. He’s calling men to war.Known as The Pastor of Pump, David is a rare breed: a man who trains both physical discipline and spiritual resilience. He believes the Church doesn’t need more soft men with soft messages. It needs men who can stand their ground, take a hit, and still speak truth with fire in their bones. He’s here to tear down weak, woke, worldly manhood and rebuild it under the authority of Jesus Christ, the King of Kings.David’s ministry is straight steel—rooted in Scripture, sharpened by suffering, and aimed at awakening men who’ve grown passive, porn-addicted, or spiritually lazy. He’s not playing games. He’s forging faithful warriors—men who carry crosses, kill sin, and live with holy grit.If you’re tired of lukewarm Christianity and ready to become a man who can lift heavy, love hard, and lead well.Cross Strength Ministries is a Christ-centered ministry based in Tennessee but offering biblical manhood discipleship, batterer intervention, domestic and sexual assault support, parenting programs, and leadership training nation-wide. With Pastor David Ashley, MAA, MDiv., The Pastor of Pump and Mrs. Holly T. Ashley, MS. CrossStrengthMinistries.org
Matt Cooper
Matt’s story is a reminder that God often works through the simplest invitations. Though he attended church on and off as a child, his true journey of faith began during his teenage years when friends invited him to youth group for pizza and basketball. What seemed like an ordinary night became the beginning of a lifelong relationship with Jesus Christ. From that point on, Matt committed his life to following Christ and allowing his faith to shape the way he lives, serves, and loves others.
Like many people, Matt faced moments in life where he drifted from the path God had for him. But in his twenties, he made a courageous decision that would become a defining moment in his testimony. In front of his church congregation, Matt publicly apologized for his sins, repented, and turned back to the Lord. It was not an easy thing to do, but his willingness to humble himself before God and others revealed the sincerity of his faith and his desire to live fully for Christ. His story is a powerful example of redemption, grace, and the freedom that comes through repentance.
One of the greatest examples of Matt’s character can be seen through his service as a volunteer firefighter. Known among his fellow firefighters as the “employee of the month,” Matt often responds to more calls than anyone else. His willingness to run toward danger in order to help others reflects both courage and compassion. He serves not for recognition, but because he believes caring for others is part of living out his faith.
That same servant’s heart is evident in everyday life. Matt is the kind of person who stops to help someone with a flat tire, checks on people who may be struggling, and offers support before anyone has to ask. When people ask why he goes out of his way to help strangers, his answer is simple and sincere: he would want someone to do the same for his wife or daughter if they were ever in need. His actions reflect the love of Christ in practical ways that leave a lasting impact on those around him.
Matt is also known as someone who stands up for what is right, regardless of what others may think of him. He is willing to speak up on behalf of people he believes are being treated unfairly or misunderstood, even when doing so may not be popular. His courage to defend others comes from a deep conviction to live with integrity, compassion, and honesty.
He also believes in being present during life’s most difficult moments. Whether visiting someone in the hospital or attending funeral home visitations to comfort grieving families, he makes it a priority to stand beside people when they need encouragement the most. Through quiet acts of kindness and faithfulness, he reminds others that they are never alone.
His perseverance is equally inspiring. At the age of 40, Matt earned his college degree, proving that growth and purpose are not limited by age or circumstance. Determined to keep learning and improving, he built a successful career in public service. After working several years as a grant writer, he now serves as the Director of Policy for the Kentucky School Board Association, where he continues to use his talents to make a positive difference.
Most recently, Matt has discovered a passion for helping create Christian content through Faith-based filmmaking. He cares deeply about being part of something that encourages others and points people toward Christ. For Matt, faith is not simply something he believes; it is something he lives out daily through service, compassion, perseverance, and love for others.
Matt’s life is an encouraging example of how God can use ordinary moments, faithful obedience, humility, and a willing heart to impact countless lives.
Muary Davis
In 1991, when Maury and his wife, Gail, answered the call to pioneer a church in Nashville, Tennessee, they arrived in a new state with little other than a call from God, a set of triplets, and an intense work ethic. Rather than pioneering a new start-up church, an unexpected chain of events led to Maury’s election as Senior Pastor of a small, 200-member congregation in the suburbs of the city.Maury’s unique and personal journey with God has allowed him to experience the full life cycle of a pastor and the deep satisfaction of growing a ministry. His success is a testimony to his belief in and passion for empowering those around him to grow, take ownership, inspire others, and move forward. Whether through intimate conferences, one-on-one coaching, or consulting relationships, Maury is dedicated to teaching and guiding other ministers to grow their churches. His heart understands that to further the Kingdom, we have to reach people. And that’s what he does, each and every day.Today, that little 200-member church has grown to over 16,000 congregants that call Cornerstone Church home.
Dr. Ming Wang M.D.
Dr. Ming Wang, Harvard & MIT (MD, magna cum laude), PhD (laser physics), is a world-class cataract and LASIK eye surgeon, philanthropist, and community activist. He is the founding director of Wang Vision Institute and a Clinical Professor for Meharry Medical College, both in Nashville, TN.
Dr. Wang has performed over 55,000 procedures, including on over 4,000 doctors. He has published over 100 papers, including one in the world-renowned journal Nature, as well as 10 ophthalmic textbooks:
Corneal Topography in the Wavefront Era
Irregular Astigmatism – Diagnosis and Treatment
Corneal Dystrophy and Degeneration – a Molecular Genetic Approach
Keratoconus and Keratoectasia – Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment
LASIK Vision Correction
Corneal Topography in the Wavefront Era – 2nd edition
Atlas and Clinical Guide for Corneal Topography
Refractive Lens Exchange – a Surgical Treatment for Presbyopia
Surgical Treatment for Presbyopia – the 5th Wave
Grow Your Eye Care Practice: High-Yield Pearls from the Marketing Experts
The Wang Foundation for Sight Restoration, a 501c(3) non-profit charity founded by
Dr. Wang, has helped patients from over 40 states in the U.S. and 55 countries worldwide, with all sight restoration surgeries performed free-of-charge.
As a co-founder of another 501c(3) non-profit organization, the Common Ground Network, Dr. Wang is dedicated to helping people find common ground and solutions to problems in order to achieve more success and happiness.
Dr. Wang has received numerous awards including the Honor Award of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Association of Chinese American Physicians, an honorary doctorate degree from Trevecca Nazarene University, NPR’s Philanthropist of the Year Award, and Kiwanis Nashvillian of the Year Award for his lifetime dedication to helping blind orphan children from around the world.
Dr. Wang’s patients include music stars such as Dolly Parton, Charlie Daniels, Kenny Chesney, Naomi Judd, Nicole Kidman, Amy Grant, and a “Dancing with the Stars” winner, Julianne Hough.
Dr. Wang is the founding president of the Tennessee Chinese Chamber of Commerce, co-founder of the Tennessee Immigrant and Minority Business Group, and CEO of Aier-USA, the U.S. extension of Aier Eye Hospitals–the world’s largest eye hospital group with over 500 locations in 3 continents–which provides eye care to 3 billion people worldwide.