At the Center, we orient our lives around these three values. We believe that if we are deeply loving God & others, our lives will begin to change, along with the world around us.
UP
Orienting your heart, mind, & soul to God’s presence & operating out of that posture.
This can look like reading scripture, giving thanks, or enjoying the world & people around you.
IN
Investing time with close friends that desire a deep relationship with each other & God.
Any time spent with loved ones that feels life giving is considered an “IN.”
OUT
Opening your life to receive others with God’s heart, whether they know Him or not.
There are an endless amount of possibilities for how you can love those around you. Start by thinking, “How can I help?”
Our People
Emma was born and raised in Fredericksburg and has a heart for the town and campus. As a student at UMW, her life was transformed by the impact the Lord had on her through this community & ministry. She is passionate about facilitating space for others to hear God’s voice and shepherding students as they grow in their identity and maturity. While she has the honor of being employed at The Center, this is truly an invitation and mission for the whole family. Emma's husband, Michael, and daughters Wynsor and Olive, bring unmatched wisdom, joy & devotion. The Center is not just a ministry, but a family that extends beyond the walls of the ministry building and into our homes in Fredericksburg. Emma enjoys creating, being outside and having a home filled with friends & family.
Emma Hammond | Executive Director
Empathy | Developer | Positivity | Input | Adaptability
Sarah was raised in the passionate bicultural home of a southern father and a Cuban mother who both loved Jesus more than anything and instilled that love in her from a young age. Sarah’s family moved to Fredericksburg, VA when she was nine years old, and this place holds the fondness of “home” in her heart forever. She graduated from UMW in 2017 with a BA in English Literature. Afterward, she spent seven years in the realm of education with the privilege of teaching and empowering all age levels from children to adults with various learning challenges. She enjoys creating space for worship, for storytelling, and for people to feel safe, seen, and loved in their journey toward healing and wholeness. It is the joy and privilege of Sarah’s life to do ministry beside her husband, Gordon. When not at the Center, you will probably find her spending time with her family, reading, playing piano, journaling, or taking a nice long walk in the sunshine.
Empathy | Developer | Includer | Input | Individualization
Sarah Wiss | Associate Director
Brandon Bennick | Associate Director
Brandon grew up in Northern Virginia, where he played baseball, rode his bike, and often forgot to wear sunscreen. In 2018, he completed a BS in Graphic Design and is pursuing a Master of Arts in Christian Spiritual Formation and Leadership. Brandon moved to Fredericksburg in October 2023 when he married Becca. Together, they love visiting new countries and watching NCIS. He is passionate about discipleship and helping young people experience Jesus in refreshing ways. It brings him great joy to witness the resurrection power of Jesus shape the lives of those around him just as it has in his life. Brandon enjoys teaching but would rather do it in a circle than from a stage. He prefers light roast coffee, has driven across the US three times, and has been inconsistently learning Spanish since 8th grade.
Woo | Positivity | Developer | Activator | Belief
The Center is a living room for Fredericksburg and the Mary Washington campus. It’s filled with memories of mission projects, study sessions, and home-cooked meals. We got our start in 1948 when Mr. and Mrs. William Chesley gave their home to the Fredericksburg Baptist Church for use as a center for students at Mary Washington College. Over the years, the ministry known as the Baptist Student Union grew and the house was expanded. In December 1981, the doors of a new student center opened creating more space for events and interaction. In September 2012, we began experimenting with ways to help young adults intentionally connect in a new era of mission as The Center for Faith and Leadership. This new focus led to projects and collaborative partnerships with The Washington Arts Group, Fredericksburg City Schools, The Fredericksburg Start-Up Community and a local English Language School for international students. Today, we’re seeking the transformation of the city and the university through deep relationships in collaboration with churches, campus ministry groups and community organizations. The world is changing. The future is uncertain. But we’re creating the future as we believe it will be by following Jesus, who is at the Center of it all.