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Our Staff
Clay Elliott
Founder/Director
When Clay was 12 years old he prayed a God-inspired prayer that went something like, "God, if you'll let me, I'll speak for you." God honored that prayer and carried him all the way to the minor leagues in baseball. Clay was never called up to the big leagues of the MLB, but he used (and continues to use) his platform as a professional baseball player to speak in to the lives of leaders and those in the athletic world. He has served in ministry as a youth pastor and parachurch director for over 40 years. After all this time, God prompted him to found the ministry of Called Up. He has as much passion and excitement as ever for how the LORD is using this ministry to guide people in living out their God-intended design.​ He's married to Kelly, who has served alongside him in ministry for their entire marriage and recently retired. Together they have 4 grown children, 3 kids-in-law, and 11 grandkids.
Darren Johnson
Director of Training
Darren has been involved in vocational ministry in the Bay Area for over 25 years serving as a pastor in several churches and other ministry contexts. He is currently pastoring a church in the Cambrian Park area of San Jose. Darren has been married to Cheryl since August of 1995 and they have four children, Justin (2000), Zachary (2002), Trey (2004), and Kate (2006). Darren has a passion for spiritual formation, discipleship and training. Seeing people grow into their new creation status as followers of Jesus is his life’s work. Darren and his family have been involved in various collegiate and high school athletics including baseball, basketball, volleyball, soccer, tennis, and field hockey.
Alex Miley
The Place Property Manager + SCU Director
Alex "Milo" Miley is the property manager of The Place and the Called Up Santa Clara Director. He and his wife, Brie, both Minnesota natives, went to school on the East Coast, married in July of 2022, and moved to the West Coast the week after. Milo ran at Santa Clara as a graduate student, while Brie taught and continues to teach at a local school. They joined the Called Up team in the Spring of 2023, had their first child in 2024, and today they pour into our athletes at Family Dinners both at The Place and on SCU's campus.
Whitney Fiock
Bay FC Chaplain & Director of Communications/Development
Whitney gave her life to Christ as a little girl and used to share the Gospel with her friends on the playground, in the bathroom, at camp... but it was in her college years that she truly fell in love with Jesus. While attending Biola University and serving at a houseboat camp (Sonshine Ministries) in the summers, she spent significant time in God's Word, connected deeply with His people, and served him regularly. She stepped in to full time ministry right after college as an intern with Sonshine (2009-10), then an FCA area rep (2010-2019), and now with Called Up (2019-). She served as the SCU Director for 4 years before stepping in to the role of Director of Communications & Development. In the Spring of 2024 she became a chaplain for Bay FC.
​In March 2017 Whitney married the love of her life, Rob. Together they have four little rascals that bring so much joy to life - Colt, Wells, Scarlet, and Rhodes!
Debbie McManis
Family Dinner Chef
Debbie is a native Californian transplanted from SoCal to the Bay Area in 2001. She graduated from The Master’s University in 1990 and followed up her degree with a teaching credential. She and her husband have been answering the call to church plant Creekside Bible Church in Cupertino. There Cliff serves as lead pastor and Debbie helps with various ministries throughout the year. They have four grown children and one adorable grandson. Debbie retired from teaching at a local Christian classical school after sixteen years and felt the call of God to free up her calendar. Shortly after her retirement she accepted the position as cook for Called Up family dinners on Monday evenings at The Place.
Kyle Vines
Accountant
Kyle has owned and operated Talents Bookkeeping since Jan 2020 and genuinely thrives when helping her clients find clarity and confidence in their books. She lives in North Idaho with her husband of 19 years and their six children. Kyle loves all things bookkeeping, spending time outdoors, music, and getting lost in a good book. Her faith is the foundation of her family, and watching God move in their lives and in the lives of their children is one of her greatest joys.
Rob Ralph
Director of Inland Empire
Rob and his wife Michelle have been in the Coachella Valley for over 25 years. Hired in the valley as a Paramedic in 1993, Rob and Michelle began to plant themselves in the local community through church, coaching and Michelle as an educator. Rob became an assistant baseball coach for La Quinta HS in 1996 and was a 3 year head coach for Desert Christian Academy until 2013 when he went into full time ministry. Through God’s abundant blessing and favor over 20+ years of coaching, Rob has been able to develop many rich relationships on campuses and in the community. Rob is a character coach for a couple of HS teams and a mentor for young coaches. He is passionate to accomplish the Called Up mission of guiding people into living out their God-intended design with anyone wanting to grow and develop in their relationship with Jesus. Rob and Michelle have three children, Robbie, Raquel and Grace. They reside in the desert city of La Quinta.