God has blessed CEF of TN with a staff that truly believes in the mission and ministry of CEF. Feel free to contact any of them with any questions you may have about the ministry. Click their photo to read more details about them.
Jeff Nichols
Jeff was born and raised in Tupelo, MS, the youngest of five boys. He graduated from Tupelo High School in 1983, Welch College in 1987 (Bachelor’s of Science in Christian Education) and Trevecca Nazarene University in 2006 (Master in Business Science).
Jeff and his wife, Debbie, have two daughters. Brooke is married to Barrett and has three children- Riley, Brayden and Bailey. Leslie is their youngest daughter and she works at Free Will Baptist International Missions office.
Jeff has served on the ministry staff of Free Will Baptist churches in Oklahoma, Missouri and Tennessee. For the last 26 years he has served on staff at The Donelson Fellowship in Nashville, TN. He has served TDF in the roles of Children’s Pastor, Executive Pastor and, most recently, as Outreach / Church Life Pastor.
He is currently the CEF of Metro Nashville Committee Chairman and is actively involved in TDF’s Good News Club at Pennington Elementary School.
Calisse Caudill
Calisse joined CEF Tennessee staff in September 2020. Nashville has been her home for almost 25 years after moving from Michigan for her husband to complete his bachelor’s degree in youth ministry. She is married to her high school sweetheart and has two daughters and son in laws. Her and her husband, Jeff, are blessed with five grandchildren, and will gladly tell you all about them.
She brings over 30 years experience in children’s and youth ministry along with several years in administrative roles. Her giftedness is in the details and being a part of a thriving ministry brings her great enjoyment.
Her husband is on staff at Cofer’s Chapel where she enjoys working alongside him in his ministry. She loves to tell how God has led them each step to where they are today.
Fiona Cherukara
Fiona has been the Bookkeeper for Child Evangelism Fellowship (State office) since December 2012. She has lived in Tennessee for the last 16 years with her husband Pravin and two boys Azariah and Aethan.
Fiona has over 18 years of experience in bookkeeping and financial reporting. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Financial Accounting and Auditing and a Master’s degree in Management. Her organizational skills and knowledge of QuickBooks helps CEF with maintaining various accounts, financial reporting , payroll processing, preparing and filing the federal taxes every year. Fiona and her husband are very involved in their local church (Belmont) where she helps out with the kids ministry. She is thankful to the Lord Jesus Christ for His unending grace and mercies on her life.