The path of a couple who have made Jones County their home started with roots in South Georgia with twists and turns that converged in a local church, but it was their faith that ultimately brought them together.
Wade and Crissy Christian sat down for an interview on the patio of Surcheros of Gray, Oct. 17.
Wade is the general manager of the restaurant that had its grand opening last month.
He is the nephew of the founder of Surcheros, Luke Christian. His wife is the former Crissy Chaney, who graduated from Jones County High School in 2018.
Both Wade and Crissy are originally from Douglas.
Crissy moved to Jones County in 2007 with her parents in connection with Real Life Church. She works from home and is employed by Oakridge Insurance Company in Macon.
Wade attended ABAC in Tifton and earned a BA in Agriculture. He said it was his dad, who is Luke’s brother, that urged him to join the Surcheros family, and he worked there while attending college.
Wade said, after college, he moved to Macon. He was the manager for the Bass Road restaurant and then become the general manager of Surcheros in Dublin.
“I was still living in Macon and was looking for a church home,” he said.
Wade said a friend invited him to Real Life Church. As soon as he visited the church, he knew he had found his church home.
Crissy said she had been a member of Real Life.
She said she was offered a position in California but decided not to leave.
“I agreed to teach a discipleship class in the Young Adult Ministry in August of 2023, and that is where we met,” she said.
The couple started dating in October of 2023, were engaged in January and married in June.
Wade said he had told his uncle about Crissy, and then the opportunity popped up in Gray.
“It all worked out. God has a time for everything,” he said.
The husband said he knew Crissy was the one for him after the first date. He said they were engaged for three months, but he did not want to wait.
Both Crissy and Wade are involved in the church. She teaches 4-5-yearolds on Sunday and Wednesday, and Wade teaches an adult Sunday School class.
“Real Life has been a good experience from the start. I feel like I’ve really been blessed and put the Lord first,” he said.
Crissy said she thinks about everything that came together for her and Wade to meet.
“After so many things, it can’t just be coincidences,” she said.
Wade said he appreciates working for a Christian company. He said the restaurant employs 30 people, and most are from Gray. He is also proud of the menu that is offered at Surcheros.
“It’s a healthy place to eat. We not only have the most toppings, but they are fresh,” he said.
The manager said he also takes pride in the customer service that is a major focus for the restaurant.
Surcheros is located at 615 Landmark Pointe Blvd. and is open Monday through Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
