It started with a blind date.
Brent Amato was trying to move closer to the Lord. He had just started law school in Chicago after being the social chair of his undergraduate “animal house” fraternity at the University of Michigan. After accepting Jesus Christ as his personal Savior, Brent’s next step was to start a CLS student chapter at his law school.
Meanwhile, Sherrie Nelson was in her senior year at Trinity College, moving toward a degree in elementary education and engaged to be married. Invitations were in the mail.
During this time, Brent attended the first CLS law student conference in the early 70s. It changed the trajectory of his professional career, but little did he know that CLS would change his life in other ways.
Del Criley, Sherrie’s Aunt and assistant to CLS’s executive director at the time, knew them both well and thought Sherrie and Brent should meet. Del began praying. Over the next six months, Sherrie broke her engagement, not knowing Brent even existed. Del took the opportunity to set up Brent and Sherrie on blind date.
When Brent set eyes on Sherrie for the first time, he thought, “God, do not let me mess this up!” And so began 48 years of marriage and ministry, with a particular passion for law students.
Together, they relished teaching, mentoring, and praying with students in their home Bible studies, giving students the tools for a firm spiritual foundation.
Sherrie and Brent always approached the ministry to law students as a partnership. Sherrie embraced her gift for hospitality, in active resistance against the culture of isolation and division. Her deep Italian roots supplied their ministry with a welcoming heart and Grandma’s secret homemade lasagna sauce.
Brent leaned on his experience as an attorney and walk with God to embrace his gifts of teaching and compassion to give students guidance and mentorship at a critical time in their careers. Both knew that working together would compound the transformational impact on the Kingdom.
Although there were many professional successes to celebrate over the years, the Amato’s greatest pride was their collaboration in equipping the next generation. Witnessing Christ transforming lives became an enduring reward.
Well Done, Good & Faithful Servant
Unexpectedly, in January 2025, the Lord called Sherrie from Brent’s side to His. She left a witness that—no matter your vocation, location, or calling—Christ honors faithful service in His name.
Serving Students & Honoring an Amazing Legacy
To honor this amazing ministry and legacy, CLS launched the Brent and Sherrie Amato Scholarship for Students in 2025.
The scholarship equips law students to take a deeper step into their calling and connect with the Christian community in the law. We achieve this by funding participation in programs and events like the CLS Law Student Fellows program, CLS Regional Retreats, and CLS National Conferences.
Through these programs students (1) develop a greater understanding of the need for Christ in the law, (2) benefit from seasoned Christian mentors they would not likely find anywhere else, and (3) are equipped to act as the salt and light of Jesus in their legal community.
An Invitation to You
We invite you to join the enduring mission that Brent and Sherrie cultivated. They would be the first to tell you they didn’t serve for recognition or awards. Their greatest desire was to see Christ transform law students and young attorneys to infuse the legal profession with the Lord’s truth and grace.
Thank you for considering a gift that continues their example of selfless service across so many generations.
CLS is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Contributions to CLS are deductible for federal income tax purposes as allowed by law. Christian Legal Society is accredited by ECFA and holds a 4-star rating with Charity Navigator.
