Mark Stephens

Executive Director, Leadership Coaching

Mark is a Leadership coach, Trainer, Speaker and Author. His passion is using his God-given talents and gifts to build sports leaders around the world so the Gospel can reach every coach and every competitor. After twenty years of volunteer work with FCA and nearly twenty years of working on staff with Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Mark is excited to join SportsLife Leadership marrying his passions with the SportsLife mission.

Mark’s grandpa name is Coach. He has a passion to help his family and global sports leaders by taking the coach approach in life. He holds certification of Leadership Coaching from the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and is a certified trainer for Jon Gordon Company. He coached high school wrestling for twenty years, and in the following fifteen years, he coached his four daughters in lacrosse, soccer, golf and volleyball. In 2019, he was inducted into the Bowie High School Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Mark loves to compete in Pickleball, workout in the gym, and is the author of the Amazon bestseller The Coach Approach: A better way to lead in business and beyond.

Mark and his wife, Rhonda, reside in Panama City Beach, Florida. They have four daughters, two sons-in law, two grandsons and a dog named Pepper.

Jennifer Schrock

Executive Assistant, Pickleball

Jennifer Schrock had been administrative assistant to Mark Stephens for 12 years. She started at Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Mid-Atlantic Region with Mark during his role as Maryland State Director and then International Director.

She serves as a small group leader in her church’s high school youth group (11 years) and has traveled 10 times to Peru as a leader with the H.S. mission teams.

Jennifer and her husband Rick live in Germantown, Maryland and have 3 daughters, 1 son, 2 sons-in-law, and a Golden-doodle. She enjoys photography and sewing.

Carl Perry

Chief Sports Officer

Wrestling transformed Carl Perry’s life on and off the mat. For the past 13 years, he has served the wrestling community, helping individuals grow in their relationship with Jesus. Through SportsLife, he coaches influential leaders, aiming to infuse life into sport, one leader at a time.

Carl was the FCA Wrestling Director from 2011 to 2024. His coaching experience includes roles at the University of Illinois as Associate Head Coach (2009-2011) and Assistant Coach (2002-2008), along with a season at Yorkville High School (2001-2002).

A 2001 graduate of the University of Illinois with a degree in Sports Management, he earned a master’s in Organizational Leadership from Lincoln Christian University in 2008. His wrestling credentials include being a 2000 NCAA Division 1 Champion and a two-time All-American, finishing his high school career as Virginia’s all-time winningest wrestler.

Carl married his wife Jamie in 2001, and they have two children: Breanna and Bryce.

Mark Ellis

Field Director, Sports Operations

Mark has served the sports and wrestling community since 2017. Prior to SportsLife Leadership, Mark helped reach the wrestling community through programs, online resources and teachings. Mark is always eager to find ways to serve and encourage individuals and couples in their daily lives.

Mark graduated from the University of Missouri where he was a 2X All- American and National Champion wrestler. Mark was also a college coach for 5 years.

Mark enjoys early mornings and slow evenings on the farm with Nicole and his 4 daughters.

Steven Jude

Field Director, Sports Operations

Steven is a former KY wrestler, who finished his career as a two-time finalist and a three-time placer. He played college football at Campbellsville University, where he graduated in 1994. After volunteering and being full-time staff with FCA and FCA Wrestling since 2007, Steve is now the Director of Field Operations for SportsLife Wrestling. God has given him a passion and desire to see leaders in the wrestling community world-wide transformed by the good news of Jesus and continue to grow in their walk with Him. Steve and his wife Michelle live in Winchester, KY and have four children.

Nicole Ellis

Executive Assistant, Wrestling Operations

Nicole has been serving with her husband, Mark, in a role with online resources since 2017. Prior to sports ministry, she was a college cheerleader at the University of Kansas and Emporia State University. She coached college and high school cheerleading & gymnastics. She has been a member of Bible Study Fellowship for the past 8 years with her daughters. Nicole and Mark have 4 beautiful daughters. They live on acreage and enjoy farm life & gardening.