About
Focus Church
Our Passion: Life Change Through Christ
We are a diverse community that began with a small gathering in a living room which has grown into multiple campuses across North Carolina, where hundreds of people experience the life-changing love of Jesus every week. We are committed to creating a place where everyone can encounter God’s presence, develop deep relationships with others, and discover their purpose through serving.
Our Leadership — Our Leadership — Our Leadership — Our Leadership — Our Leadership — Our Leadership — Our Leadership — Our Leadership —
Our Leadership
Pastors Mike and Ashton Santiago
Lead Pastors of Focus Church
Mike and Ashton Santiago are passionate about the local church, catalayzing transformation, and seeing people marked by the presence and power of God. After serving together as youth & worship pastors, they felt God calling then to start a church focused on seeing people experience the life-changing love of Jesus. They stepped out in faith, moved their family from Florida to North Carolina, and Focus Church was born. Pastor Mike & Ashton are high school sweethearts, and have three children, Ariana, Joel, and Harmony.
Kris and
Cheryl Weiss
Executive Pastors of Finance
Kris and Cheryl Weiss have dedicated their lives to family, faith, and service and have been married for 36 years. They have four grown children and four grandchildren, with whom they love to spend time playing games and making memories. Kris and Cheryl enjoy traveling in their RV, riding motorcycles, and engaging in outdoor activities like pickleball and hiking. When they’re not on the move, they love relaxing at the beach or watching movies with family. Their passion for God and people is evident in their commitment to serving at Focus Church.
Michael and Micaela Whitlock
North Campus Pastors
Michael and Micaela Whitlock have a heart for building community and mentoring believers in their journey with Jesus. Both raised as pastors' kids, they carry a deep love for ministry and have committed their lives to serving the church. After nearly ten years of marriage and experience as youth pastors in South Florida, they felt called to join Focus Church. Now, as North Campus Pastors, they continue to pour their hearts into their congregation, sharing their love for coffee, music, and, most importantly, Jesus. Michael hails from the Midwest, while Micaela was born and raised in Miami, and together they are raising their three children in the faith.
Lee and
Ashlee Kasten
West Campus Pastors
Lee and Ashlee Kasten are passionate about building strong families and nurturing a vibrant church community. Married for almost 15 years and originally from Tallahassee, Florida, they have been on a journey together as pastors, raising their five daughters and exploring North Carolina through family adventures. Ashlee is a full-time homeschooling mom and has written two books, while Lee, with a background in construction, loves spending time outdoors with his girls.
Ed and Evette Clemons
South Campus Pastors
Ed and Evette Clemons have dedicated their lives to building faithful followers of Jesus and growing a vibrant church family. Married for almost 18 years, they began their pastoral journey as young adult pastors in Tallahassee, FL, before moving to Raleigh in 2018 to join Focus Church. Ed, a pharmacist, and Evette, a hair salon owner, share a passion for ministry and entrepreneurship, including their clothing brand, Chozn Supply. They became South Campus Pastors in 2021 and are devoted to their amazing son, whom they adopted at birth—he is the love of their lives!
Carlos and Angela ROdriguez
Focus Español Pastors
Carlos y su esposa han dedicado sus vidas a servir a los demás y a compartir el amor de Cristo. Con casi 32 años de matrimonio y un profundo llamado que comenzó en Puerto Rico, han servido como líderes de jóvenes y pastores asociados antes de convertirse en Pastores del Campus Español en Focus Church. Tienen tres hijos y tres nietos, y disfrutan pasar tiempo en la playa y hacer cruceros. Carlos es químico, y su esposa tiene una pasión por la decoración del hogar y la planificación de eventos.
Chris And Crystal Smith
Executive Pastor of Operations
Chris & Crystal Smith are passionate about Jesus, godly marriage, and healthy families. They have two incredible young adult daughters, Emmalynn and Ella, and an energetic doodle named Reuben. The Smiths love the beach, as Chris hails from a small beach town off the coast of North Carolina. Crystal thrives as a preschool teacher, while Chris loves project planning, systems, and organization. They started attending Focus in 2020, and he left IBM to join the full-time team in 2023.
