November 2025

November 2025

This past month included our annual trip to Washington DC for the National TFI conference, Friendsgiving, and more! 

National Conference

Every year we travel to Washington, D.C. for the National TFI Conference. This year we gathered with more than 200 Fellows from across the country, heard from incredible speakers who challenged and encouraged us, and spent our free moments exploring the city. Because of the government shutdown, most museums were closed, but we were still able to visit the Museum of the Bible. We also rented an Airbnb with the Greensboro Fellows, which was a fun change of pace from staying in a hotel.

Leader Lunches

Noah Downs is a longtime friend of the Fellow and has served as a mentor for several years. He hosted us for Leader Lunch and challenged us with thoughtful insight on community and living with purpose. We also had an incredible view, although it is hard to see in the photo because it was backlit.

It is not often that we are escorted around on a golf cart, but Steve Gallagher graciously drove us around the UNCSA campus. Steve does a remarkable job connecting with young adults, and this time was no different.

Chase Summers is a new friend of the Fellows and one of the youngest Leader Lunch speakers we've ever had. He shared his unique career path with us and inspired us to think outside the box a bit. 

Friendsgiving

Fellows Friendsgiving is one of our favorite annual traditions. This year, we invited the past two classes to join us, and we are glad we did. It was a night of delicious food, worship and several rounds of four on the couch. We are truly grateful for the growing community of alumni here in Winston-Salem. 

Fellows Class of 2019

As we celebrate our tenth year of WS Fellows, we continue to highlight a class each month and learn a bit about where they are now. Here are a few updates on our third class of WS Fellows: 

Garret Briggs

A lot has happened in the last few years since the fellowship ended for me in 2019. Things continued like normal for a short while well wedding season began strong and I was fortunate enough to celebrate the marriages of many of my fellows classmates and dear friends. Before long, I was introduced to my wife, Caroline Briggs, who was fellows class of 2020-2021. We married in late 2022 and underwent another grand adventure at the same time. I had been fortunate enough to be accepted into Gardner Webb’s accelerated bachelors of science in nursing program, however this meant leaving my then job at WFIRM and most of all leaving Winston. After prayers and discussion Caroline and I said yes to GWU and moved to Shelby so that I could pursue my new career. After many hard days of studying and many new friends, I graduated in May of 2024 and wouldn’t you know it, we ended up back in Winston Salem. I am now privileged to work for Novant Health as an ER nurse and love it! We are so glad to be back in Winston around so many dear friends and look forward to many more life updates to come! 

Bryan Pardue

Since the Fellows, I have moved to Denver, gotten married, and had two kiddos!  In 2022 I started a coaching practice to work with individuals on topics like business development, strategy execution, and accountability practices. In my free time I change diapers and/or go fishing!

Tim Spangler

Since graduating fellows in 2019, I earned my Master’s in Business Management from Wake Forest. Then I moved to Nashville and got married to Kate (WS fellows class of 2018!), and am now back in my home state of North Carolina.   I am currently living in Durham, and work in accounting at The Budd Group. In my spare time I am involved in my church small group, have taken up chess and am involved in the local chess scene, and love to try new restaurants, go see live sports and music, and spend time with family and friends.

Aly Vandermolen (Hall)

After my fellows year, I moved to Louisville, Kentucky for law school. I graduated in 2022 and then moved to Owensboro, Kentucky to serve as a law clerk for a federal judge. After my clerkship, I moved back to Louisville and began working as a prosecutor. I married my husband Evan in December 2024. We recently moved to my hometown of Orlando, Florida and welcomed our precious twin baby boys. 

Recruiting

We are in the midst of recruiting for the WS Fellows Class of 2026–2027. We are excited about the applicants we have received so far and look forward to seeing who else God may bring. If you know any young adults who could benefit from a program like this, please send them to wsfellows.com.

Many Fellows are excited about the community they will have within their own cohort, but they often do not realize they are being welcomed into a much larger alumni community. In the picture above, Sydney and Jacob are enjoying what looks to be a delicious ice cream sundae at their Life Group. Sydney and Jacob are not from the same class, but they now attend the same church and are in the same Life Group. 

End of Year Giving

This year we have been graciously given a $25,000 match for every gift received by December 31. We would be honored if you would consider investing in the Winston-Salem Fellows as we mentor, equip, and train the next generation of leaders. You can give here.

Additionally, if you haven't seen this new video of Caleb and Molly sharing about parts of their Fellows story, please check it out.

Finally, we want to say how grateful we are for the Fellows community of donors, mentors, family friends, and churches that make all of this possible. Thank you!