After the untimely passing of our beloved staff leader, Chris Toomey, Pathfinder, along with Chris’s family, set out to establish a fund that would honor Chris’s passion for growing students in their faith through life-changing service & mission trips. Over the months, Chris’s family has taken Chris’s legacy a step further by creating a non-profit organization called, The Impact Collective.
From their articles of incorporation, The Impact Collective is a registered 501(c)(3) that is organized to:
Provide funding for life-changing educational, service, and mission experiences for high school and college-age youth. This corporation is inspired by the life and work of Christopher Ryan Toomey, who gave his life to providing transformative spiritual experiences for young people.
In December of 2022, the Pathfinder Board of Directors voted to disburse all funds held in The Chris Toomey Student Mission Fund to The Impact Collective so that Chris’s passion for the spiritual development of high school and college students may live on. We are confident that this new organization, guided by a Board of Directors of faith and business leaders from around the country, who all knew and loved Chris, will do great work in Chris’s memory.
If you want to follow the work of The Impact Collective, go to impactcollective.org.
Your financial support can be mailed to:
The Impact Collective
1050 Union University Drive
Jackson, TN 38305
Chris Toomey Student Mission Fund
Chris truly lived his life “on mission.” He longed to invest in people for the sake of eternity whether at home or abroad. Chris traveled extensively sharing the love and hope of Christ with all those he encountered.
If you would like to participate in extending that legacy, we would like to ask you to consider a contribution to this mission fund in his name in lieu of flowers. The commitment of his church, family, and friends is to utilize these contributions to help fund life-changing service/mission trips for high school and college students.
Thank you for loving Chris, and thank you for your desire to continue his legacy of living on mission.
He cared deeply about people experiencing Jesus. Not just knowing who he is, or even believing in him, but encountering him on a real soul level.
He made every moment I was with him so special, and was such a good role model. I want to follow Chris’s example and be kind and empathetic to everyone.
Coach Chris was such a genuine light in this world. He believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself, whether that was on the volleyball court or just in life. Chris was the absolute best example of loving like Jesus, and although I grieve here on earth, what brings me peace is thinking of Chris’s big ole’ smile when he finally got to meet Jesus face to face.
Chris was so full of life and energy. He had an adventurous spirit and was always exploring God’s creation, and the community around him.
He gave everyone a chance to do their best work. He believed they could do the tasks at hand, and genuinely encouraged them and cared for them. He emulated the love of Jesus, and I firmly believe that everyone he encountered saw HIS face through him.
He was truly one of a kind – with a huge heart, the most infectious positive attitude and a wonderful Christian role model for our kids.
Chris was an amazingly genuine, kind, sincere and loving man who kept Christ at the center of his life. He will be greatly missed. His smile always lit up every room he entered!
He loved unique things and found something unique in every individual.
I’ve never known anyone as gentle and joyful as he was.
Chris was a true friend, who extended warmth and kindness to all.
He made you feel important. He was never too busy to listen and left you with a smile.
Chris always made you feel seen and heard. He never knew a stranger and could relate to anything and found a way to bring joy to every situation.
You could always have fun with him.
Jesus once said: “of all who have ever lived, none have been greater than John the Baptist”. Right now my sad heart wonders if Chris Toomey were alive then, that verse might be a bit different.
Chris was truly a bright light and an encouraging voice for God’s kingdom.
The Impact Collective
Chris Toomey Student Mission Fund