MEET THE STAFF
CLAY & KELLY ELLIOTT
Clay and Kelly both committed their lives to Christ in childhood. 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" and Clay has as much passion and excitement as ever for how the LORD is using this new ministry to guide people in living out their God-intended design.
Kelly's childhood dream was to be a wife and a mom. She has lived out that dream as wife to Clay and mom to their four kids - Megan, Brooks, Whitney, and Zac, three kids-in-law, and ten grandbabies. In many ways, Kelly continues to fulfill the role of "mom" to college athletes, young coaches, and leaders of all sorts as God uses her warm demeanor and heart for Jesus to make people feel loved and heard. She has partnered with Clay in ministry for the entirety of their marriage and is thrilled to be sharing the Truth of the Gospel on San Jose State's campus through Called Up.
WHITNEY FIOCK
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 houseboating camp (Sonshine Ministries) in the summers, she spent significant time in God's Word, connected deeply with His people, and served him regularly. It was in these years that she truly learned what it meant to die to herself so that Christ could live (Galatians 2:20) and the joy that came with that. Whitney's heart is for those that are far from Jesus and she stepped in to full time ministry right after college as an intern with Sonshine, then an FCA area rep, and now with Called Up. She is grateful to share the love of Christ through Called Up as the Office Manager and with the athletic department at Santa Clara University.
In March 2017 Whitney married the love of her life, Rob. Together they have four kids- Colt, Wells, Scarlet, and Rhodes.
Rob Ralph
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.
Bob Douglas
Bob grew up in a Christian home and gave his life to Christ at seven years old. After college and through his young adult years Bob served in a number of church ministries including working in the Junior High ministry that was headed by Clay Elliott. After 25 years in the business world God moved Bob into full-time ministry where he serves as an Executive Pastor in a local church and board member of several Christian ministries (Zechariah 4:6). Bob was the defense captain of Baylor University’s lacrosse team and is excited to be working with college student athletes (and again with Clay) through Called Up.
Bob and his wife Robin have three children, Grant, Paige and Mitchell.