Leadership

Scott Chapman, President

Scott Chapman believes that when God looks down from Heaven, he doesn’t see many churches, but one Church gathering in many locations. He longs to see the Church pursue a sustained Christ awakening that transforms individuals, churches, and communities across the country. To that end, Scott founded Christ Together alongside a small group of pastors in Lake County, Ill., in 2000.

Christ Together exists to help the whole Church bring the whole Gospel to the whole city. The founding Christ Together region now consists of more than 100 northern Chicagoland churches working together to restore the reputation of Jesus Christ in their culture.

Scott is also senior pastor of The Chapel. When Scott and his best friend, Jeff Griffin, launched the church in 1994, it consisted of little more than a few friends and an empty warehouse unit. Now more than 5,500 people attend The Chapel each weekend on five different campuses.

Born and raised in Alliance, Ohio, Scott earned a Bachelor of Science degree from The Ohio State University and a master’s degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Scott and his wife, Tammy, live in Illinois with their three children, who all cheer for the Buckeyes.

Jamie Wamsley, Executive Director

Jamie serves as both the Senior Associate Pastor of The Chapel and Executive Director of Christ Together. Both roles enable him to pursue his passion, the desire to see thousands of people enter into a life-transforming relationship with Jesus Christ.

Jamie’s first step into full-time ministry was in 1996, when he spent a year in a Mexican orphanage, attempting to care for “the least of these”. The brokenness he experienced in that environment has since spurred his passion for spiritual transformation and societal change.

Jamie and his wife, Tracey, are currently raising four young Chicago Bear fans.

Scott Gifford, National Director

Scott Gifford recently took a leap of faith into ministry. He left a corporate leadership role to lead the effort of national expansion for Christ Together.

Most of Scott’s career prior to joining Christ Together was spent in human resources and with the global consulting firms Deloitte & Touche and Hewitt Associates. In addition to attending and serving at The Chapel in Libertyville, Ill., Scott also gives his time to the board of directors for One Heartbeat Ministries.

Raised in the northern suburbs of Chicago, Scott earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Illinois and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

In addition to spending quality time with his family, Scott loves running (he has completed 10 marathons), golf, and traveling. He resides in Libertyville with his wife, Jen, and four children, Mitchell, Allyson, Jacob, and Nathan.

Nate Wagner, Youth Director

After graduating from the University of Minnesota in 2003 with a degree in Biomedical Engineering, Nathan began sensing the call from God to full-time ministry. He began working with youth initially as a volunteer leader and then as an intern overseeing the junior high ministry at a church in Minnesota. He has traveled to Nepal and served as a translator and team leader for missions work in Guatemala. Nathan has led worship in various ministries but his heart passion is sharing his faith in Christ and discipling people into a “dangerous passion” for Jesus Christ.

In 2002, Nathan married his high school sweetheart, Anna, who graduated from Northwestern Bible College (St. Paul, MN) with a dual degree in Marriage & Family Counseling and Bible. They have three children, Kate, Matthew and Lia. Nathan has completed his M.Div. from Trinity International University in 2008, oversees the student ministries at Trinity Community Church in Libertyville, IL and champions Christ Together’s student movement.

Bill Yaccino, Executive Director, Chicago area

Bill Yaccino is a seasoned pastor and brings a wealth of experience to Christ Together. His relational and networking skills have grown the original region to where it is now.

Bill has served in various pastoral roles from California to Illinois, including Christ Community Church in St. Charles, Ill., and Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Ill.

Originally from the Chicago area, Bill is a graduate of Purdue University and has master’s degrees from Creighton University and Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary. He was a pastor in the “One by One” city-reaching movement, one of the early pioneer movements in church-based community transformation. In 2005 Bill launched WeddingPastorsUSA.org to network pastors willing to bring Christ-like love to couples far from the Church on their wedding day.

Prior to entering pastoral ministry, Bill served as an officer in the Air Force and was a software engineer for First Data Resources. His first Chicago Cubs game was in 1969 - can you say “Ernie Banks” and “Billy Williams”? Bill and his wife, Treva, have two sons.

Ike Newingham, Regional Director, Hampton Roads - Peninsula

Ike served as Executive Director of Youth for Christ on the Peninsula for 25 years, and also worked as their National Training Director. In 1983 he graduated from Hampton University, summa cum laude, with an MA in Counseling. He was also a Training Director with Promise Keepers from 1995 – 2000. For the past 20 years Ike has served as the Executive Director of the Gathering of Men, having trained over 1,200 small group leaders.

Originally from Pittsburgh, Ike’s hobbies have included flying, racquetball, whitewater rafting and reading. He and his wife Deanna have been married for 42 years.

Todd Woolston, Regional Director, Hampton Roads - Southside

Todd is the Senior Pastor of Real Life Church in Virginia Beach. Prior to assuming his current role in June 2009, Todd was on staff at All Nations Church in Newport News. Todd is also the Founder and Chairman of Savior Protection Ministries, a security-oriented service to the faith-based community. This ministry was born out of Todd's previous career in law enforcement, where he retired as a Lieutenant of a local police force.

Todd has been a lifelong resident of Southeast Virginia and currently resides in Virginia Beach with his wife, Lisa, and their four daughters, Danielle, Asja, Kayla and Taylor. Todd enjoys spending time with his family and loves to escape to the beach.

CHRIST TOGETHER. The whole Church bringing the whole gospel to the whole city.

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