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MISSION STATEMENT
The Craddock Center exists to enrich the lives of the people of Southern Appalachia through programs of education, cultural enhancement, and service, encouraging communities, families, and children to advance educationally, socially, and spiritually.

QUESTIONS WE ARE OFTEN ASKED

Is the Craddock Center in the budget of Cherry Log Christian Church?
No. We are housed in a dwelling on the property the church purchased for its new building and we pay no rent. For this we are most grateful. We share the building with the church’s Clothes Closet and we pay the utilities, etc. However, since the church is entering a major financial campaign, we avoid making any appeals to the church budget.

Does the Craddock Center receive any money from state or federal agencies?
No. We operate entirely on gifts from supporters.

How much is the budget of the Craddock Center?
We are operating this year on an adjusted budget of $220,000 for 2008.

Who does your fundraising?
Our Director Emeritus, Fred Craddock, who has no experience in fundraising and who demonstrates daily that he does not know what he is doing. His one qualification is his commitment to the program and his firm belief that the Center has the blessing of God.  Our Executive Director, Trisha Senterfitt and the Board of Directors join in the fundraising.

The Craddock Center is a non-profit organization serving the needs of people in Southern Appalachia.  To do so, the Center enlists professionals from across the country and mobilizes talented people within the community to offer programs to address basic physical needs, to encourage self improvement and career enhancement, and to nourish cultural enrichment. 

Named for Fred and Nettie Craddock, the Craddock Center was created in 2001 by action of the Board of Cherry Log Christian Church. 

Dr. Fred Craddock is minister emeritus of Cherry Log Christian Church in Cherry Log Georgia. He is Bandy Distinguished Professor of Preaching and New Testament, Emeritus, in the Candler School of Theology, Emory University. Much sought after as a lecturer, he has delivered the Lyman Beecher Lectures at Yale, the Scott Lectures at Clarmeont School of Theology, the Adams Lectures at Southeastern Baptist Seminary, The Schaff Lectures at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, the Cole Lectures at Vanderbilt, the Westervelt Lectures at Austin Presbyterian Seminary, the Mullins Lectures at Southern Seminary and Earl Lectures at Pacific School of Religion. Dr. Craddock has traveled the World giving lectures in many Countries. Dr. Craddock has written a number of books and contributed articles to various journals.

The Center operates with its own Board of Directors, generates its own funds, and determines its own programs.  Gifts to the Craddock Center are tax deductible.

TRISHA SENTERFITT, DIRECTOR

Dr. Trisha Senterfitt is Executive Director of The Craddock Center.  She comes to the Center after serving as Associate Pastor of Care Ministry at First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta for fourteen years.  During this time Trisha created multiple ministries including Senior Adults, Parish Nursing, Labyrinth, and many support groups.  She also started the Samaritan Counseling Center at the church, which, under her leadership, has grown into a program staffed by a director and eleven counselors, including psychiatrists, psychologists, pastoral counselors, social workers and addiction therapists. 

Having grown up in the home of a Presbyterian pastor in which education and social mission were highly valued, she sensed a call to ministry while working with Peachtree Hospice in 1988.  Her education has included studying German at the University of Freiburg, earning a B.A. in German from Eckerd College and earning her Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur.  She enjoys retreat leadership, spiritual direction, and leading labyrinth workshops, and she is a certified Grief Recovery Specialist. 

Trisha and her husband, Jack, have three grown children, Shelley, Todd, and Jeremy, a daughter-in-law, Karen, and a three year old grandson, John.  After living thirty-three years in Atlanta, they will be moving to Cherry Log in September.  Trisha and Jack have owned a cabin in Morganton since 2004, where they have enjoyed Sabbath time most Fridays and Saturdays before returning to Atlanta for church on Sunday.

Trisha grew up in rural East Tennessee.  Since her first career was as a high school teacher, she is excited about the educational components of The Craddock Center.  As a public school advocate all the years she has lived in Atlanta and as a pastor, she has a keen interest in literacy for children and adults as well as English as a second language.  Having grown up valuing stories, bluegrass, folk, gospel and Celtic music, mountain crafts, and Cherokee heritage, she heartily embraces the Center's mission to preserve and share the Southern Appalachian region's rich heritage. 

FRED CRADDOCK,  DIRECTOR EMERITUS

TAMMY BLAIR, OFFICE MANAGER

STAFF of Children’s Enrichment Program:

Amanda Galloway has loved music, instruments, and stories since childhood. She shares her enthusiasm with the Pre-K & HS children through songs, movement, and stories weekly in Pickens, Gilmer, & Union Counties. Her passion does not stop there, she’s also a church pianist and children’s/youth choir director as well as piano teacher. She uses her talents in schools, churches, and her community. The Sunny D Community Theater featured her in Godspell. Amanda is native to Fannin County, is a wife of 5 years, and a new mommy to Adia Lauren born in August 2007.

Kim Cheves has a passion to help kids get up and move. Whether it be songs, stories or dance she shares the importance of a healthy lifestyle and creates a positive experience that enables children to stay active while having fun. She serves Appalachian children in Fannin, Gilmer, & Towns Counties. Kim is the Preschool Coordinator/Director at her church and leads Kiddie Camps during the summer. Kim provides storytelling to libraries, elementary schools, and community events. She choreographs routines for the CEP program, for recreational cheerleading halftime shows, and for fit kid and adult programs. She’s a member of the Blue Ridge Mountain Storytellers. Kim is a wife of 10 years and has 2 children.

Connie Chancey loves working with kids. She shares stories and music with children in her church, other churches, and her community. She brings such joy and encouragement to the Appalachian children in Polk Co., TN and Cherokee Co, NC weekly through the Craddock Center. Connie is also a professional photographer and has a studio in her home. Family pictures, school pictures, weddings, sports events, special events, community events are among her portfolio. Connie is native to Cherokee Co, NC, married to Shawn, mother of four, and grandmother of three.

Tracy Walker is the children's librarian for the Dawson County Public Library. She began storytelling through the Craddock Center under the guidance of storyteller Betsy Doty. Tracy is a member of the Blue Ridge Mountains Storytellers and the Southern Order of Storytellers. Her favorite stories are those that reflect the Southern Appalachian region in which she works. Tracy also shares stories through the library, special events, community events, and national storytelling events. Tracy’s unique style is loved by all. The Dawson County kids look so forward to seeing Tracy each week.

John Beavin is a native Georgian, who was born in Macon and grew up in Atlanta. He has BBA and MBA from Georgia State University.  John is married to Dyanne Thornton Beavin. They have been married for 42 years and have two daughters and three grandchildren.  John became a member of the Southern Order of Storytellers in 1989 and began telling stories to audiences ranging from pre-school to senior citizens. He has performed at storytelling festivals in the southeast. John has been a storyteller in residence for a year at Berry College Elementary School teaching students to be storytellers. He does workshops on story development and presentation skills for storytellers.  John tell stories of all kinds, including folktales, personal stories, how and why stories, scary stories and noodle head stories. John will join the CEP staff in the 2008-09 school year and will be telling stories at Lumpkin County.

JOSE ILLINGWORTH is our newest Arts Specialist on the Children’s Enrichment Program staff. Jose was born and educated in Mexico, receiving his B.S. in Music Education from the University of Montemorelos. Jose and his wife have a four-year-old son and a four-month-old daughter and live in Cumming.

The Head Start/Pre-K students are going to love being introduced to many instruments they have never seen or heard. Jose plays and teaches cello, violin, guitar, clarinet, recorder, piano and harmonica. In addition to teaching music, Jose will be able to translate parent handouts into Spanish, which will be a great help for communicating with the Hispanic parents. Jose will be bringing music to the Head Start/Pre-K classes in Dahlonega and Dawsonville. Welcome, “Mr. Jose”!!!!!—TLS

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Board Members

Paige Peugh - President
Brenda Crawford - Vice President
Walter Boleman, Treasurer
Bobbie Cherry, Secretary
Diane Bales
Fred Craddock
Dick Hammill
Vicki Hitt
Doug Leman
Don Mahaffey
James McCormick
Wilds Pierce
Peggy Cleveland

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This page was last updated 02/10/2010