Our Staff
Meet the ministry staff behind Blast & Cast — the men who guide, support, and serve our mission across the country. These are the boots-on-the-ground leaders pointing outdoorsmen to the cross through every event, every chapter, and every prayer.
Executive Director
Brodie Cooper
Brodie Cooper has served as our Executive Director since 2015 and has led our ministry efforts since 2005. He and his wife, Naomi, live in Baytown, TX, and have two adult children, Tim and Emma. They are members of Rollingbrook Fellowship Church in Baytown. Brodie is a redfish tournament angler with multiple professional-level wins on his resume, and he enjoys bowhunting whitetails on public land during his free time. Brodie has been a part of foreign mission efforts in China, Senegal, and Haiti, and his strong background in evangelism and missions help keep us focused on outreach. He is a graduate of the University of Houston, and the leadership experience and training he received from Campus Crusade for Christ exert a major influence on Blast & Cast. Brodie regularly serves as a guest speaker and can be contacted directly by e-mail at blastandcast@live.com.
Operations Director
Joel Acay
Joel Acay formally joined the organization in January of 2026 but has been serving with Blast & Cast for over a decade. As a licensed U.S.C.G. Captain, Joel has experience coast to coast. He grew up in San Diego, working on near and offshore charter boats fishing for pelagics like yellowtail and yellowfin tuna, and guided in the gulf coast for many years targeting redfish, speckled trout and flounder. He and his wife Lori have been happily married for 34 years and raised four young men in Houston, TX. Joel has a heart for ministry and to share the Gospel. He has created and developed children ministry programs at Calvary Chapel, taught Sunday school at Second Baptist, and served as a marriage mentor at the church of Eleven22 and enjoyed sharing God’s Word on many missions’ trips to Africa. His experience in the private equity world as a Vice President and General Manager aligns his experience with what we need to be good stewards of what God has given us and to multiply our gifts and talents to impact His Kingdom through Blast & Cast. Joel’s mission is to align our team, our processes and our focus on Matthew 6:33, which says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Joel can be contacted directly at jacay@blastandcast.org
Regional Director – North Texas, West Texas, 4 Corners (NM/CO)
Chris Barton
Chris Barton has served as our Regional Director for our North Texas, West Texas, and 4 Corners Chapters since 2023. Chris and Cindy, his wife of 32 years, currently live in Georgetown, Texas and attend Celebration Church, although they have remained members of Central Church in Charlotte, North Carolina after moving to Texas in 2018. Chris is a veteran of the US Army and was honorably discharged after 15 years of service and achieving the rank of Sergeant First Class. After his military service he embarked on a career as a Real Estate / Construction entrepreneur. He launched and successfully ran several companies before accepting a position in full-time ministry with Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian, international disaster relief organization. You can contact Chris directly via e-mail at cbarton@blastandcast.org.
Executive Assistant
Cheryl Harrison has served in the Executive Assistant role since 2019. She and her husband of 45 years, John, currently reside in Dickinson, Texas and are long-time members of First Baptist Church of Seabrook. They have three adult children, Melissa, Michael, and Sarah, and two grandchildren, whom she will proudly show you pictures of. Cheryl is a published author with a particular passion for women’s ministry, and we greatly appreciate her attention to detail and dedicated prayer life. She handles all things administrative in nature for Blast & Cast, including tax reporting, bookkeeping, registration, shipping, keeping Brodie sane, and so much more that cannot be listed but is deeply appreciated. She can be reached directly via e-mail at charrison@blastandcast.org.
Want to Get Involved?
Ministry happens one faithful step at a time — and you’re invited to take yours.
