Staff

MICHAEL CLARY
LEAD PASTOR

Michael grew up dreaming of one day being a professional recording artist and songwriter. But God had other plans. He and his wife, Laura, worked as missionaries to college students before Michael sensed a call to urban church planting. This sense of calling grew while Michael was attending the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. The Clary’s made it official by moving to Cincinnati in 2008 to plant Christ the King Church. They live in Uptown with their four kids and dog.

If you are interested in being trained in pastoral ministry or church planting, send Michael an email for more info.

ERIC TUFFENDSAM
RULING ELDER

Eric became a lay elder in 2018 after graduating from CTK’s Pastor School and residency. Eric loves to share the gospel with people through his music production and house flipping businesses. He has been married to Suzanne since 2003 and they have four school-aged children. Besides spending time with family and friends, he enjoys playing golf, frisbee golf and basketball as well as watching NFL football. 

WADE THOMAS
ASSOCIATE PASTOR OF DISCIPLESHIP AND WORSHIP

Wade has served in Christian ministry as a church planter, associate pastor, and in teaching and discipleship roles since 2012, shortly after graduating from Temple Baptist College with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. Professionally, he has worked as a middle school teacher and in business management, and is also a published novelist. In 2022, Wade joined the Christ the King staff full-time, where he supports the small groups and discipleship ministries of the church and leads worship. Wade and his wife Sarah were married in 2009, and God has blessed them with six children that they home educate.

ALEX COSTA

RULING ELDER AND OUTREACH COORDINATOR

Alex is a graduate of the Clearnote Pastors College in Bloomington, Indiana and he moved to Cincinnati in July of 2020 to serve at Christ the King Church. He has been married to his wife Sarah for 16 years and together they have six children. Alex has prior work in campus ministry and a wide variety of self-employment pursuits that afford him the flexibility to focus on ministry. Along with his position as an elder at CTK, Alex serves as the outreach coordinator.

ZACH FRICK
OPERATIONS MANAGER

Zach is from Maryland, but he grew to love Cincinnati as he attended Southern Seminary. After he graduated in 2023, his family decided to set roots in Northern Kentucky. Zach and his wife Danielle live in Covington with their daughter Abigail. They spend their time hiking, foraging mushrooms, and eating what they grow. He works full-time at CTK managing the facilities, finance, and communications.

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LILY TAW
CHILDREN's ADMINISTRATOR

Lily is a fiery woman with a passion for children and organization. She grew up in Springfield, Ohio. She and her husband, Zac, were married in January of 2023!  She loves anything food related, playing card games/board games, and making deep connections with people. Lily attended Cedarville University where she obtained a bachelor's degree in social work. She used her degree for several years serving as an adoption social worker. Now, after also gaining more eclectic experience, Lily has come to work at CTK as the Children's Administrator.