The Church Development Committee oversees and supports new church developments, fellowships, new worshipping communities, and other partnerships created by the Presbytery.

This committee also recommends to the Presbytery Council the establishment of new church developments. All such recommendations must include a plan for financial support and ministry goals.

Committee Members

Rev. Princeton Abaraoha, First Presbyterian Church, Midlothian

Rev. Daniel Anderson-Little, El Divino Salvador Presbyterian Church, Dallas

Rev. Richard Brooks, St. Mark Presbyterian Church, Dallas

Rev. Dr. Paul Burns, First Presbyterian Church, Garland

Rev. Alissa Conner, St. Philip Presbyterian Church, Hurst

Rev. Alexander Lee-Cornell, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Dallas

Rev. Harry Meissner (Moderator), Member-at-Large, Grace Presbytery

Ken Richardson, Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, Bedford

Ruth Roman-Meza, Iglesia Presbiteriana Emmauel, Dallas

Rev. Kelly Staples, NorthPark Presbyterian Church, Dallas

Staff Resources

Mike Thompson, Interim General Presbyter, Grace Presbytery

Joanna Kim, Director of Ministry Services, Grace Presbytery

The Committee on Ministry is responsible for the implementation of Grace Presbytery’s oversight of its congregations and Ministers of Word and Sacrament. Its purpose is to provide encouragement, oversight, support, and guidance to congregations, Ministers of Word and Sacrament, Commissioned Ruling Elders, and Certified Church Educators.

Resources

All forms and documents can be found in the Committee on Ministry section of the documents library.

Committee Members

Rev. Nicole Bates | Westminster Presbyterian Church, Dallas
Rev. Gordon Blackman | Alpine Presbyterian Church, Longview
Rev. Diedre Carson | First Presbyterian Church, Waco
Rev. Richard Culp | St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, Denton
Rev. Matt Curry | Central Presbyterian Church, Waxahachie
Ty Gomez | NorthPark Presbyterian Church, Dallas
Rev. Jesus Gonzalez | Gethsemane Presbyterian Church, Ft. Worth
Rev. Dr. Donald Hogg | Westminster Presbyterian Church, Ft. Worth
Rev. Ronald Holmes | Westminster Presbyterian Church, Corsicana
Amy Hudson | Woodhaven Presbyterian Church, Irving
David Jordan | First Presbyterian Church, Dallas
Cindy Miller | Westminster Presbyterian Church, Corsicana
Mary Jo North | St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, Denton
John Starkel | St. Barnabas Presbyterian Church, Richardson
Helen Stevenson | Northridge Presbyterian Church, Dallas
Rev. Cheryl Taylor | First Presbyterian Church, Rockwall
Brenda Van Amburgh | First Presbyterian Church, Ft. Worth
Robert Warren | Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church, Dallas
Rev. Dr. Michael Waschevski (Moderator) | First Presbyterian Church, Ft. Worth

Commissioned Pastor Task Force Members

Rev. David Batchelder (Moderator) | West Plano Presbyterian Church, Plano
Rev. Nancy Drake | Honorably Retired, Grace Presbytery
Kathy Jones | NorthPark Presbyterian Church, Dallas
Rev. Drew Travis | First Presbyterian Church, Granbury

Staff Resources

Joanna Kim | Director of Ministry Services
Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Callender | Director of Ministry Development
Tammy Stepka | Executive Assistant
Rev. David Batchelder | Coordinator, Commissioned Pastor Task Force
Jimmy Chapman | Commissioned Pastor & Committee on Ministry Consultant

The Committee on Preparation for Ministry is responsible for the enlistment and care of inquirers and candidates for ministry as Ministers of Word and Sacrament. In concert with church sessions and theological institutions, the committee guides inquirers and candidates in seminary selection, ministry discernment, internship, and professional ministry opportunities.

Committee Members

Denise Bennett, Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Dallas

Chip Black, Grace Presbyterian Church, Arlington

Rev. Dr. Clay Brantley, Member-at-Large, Grace Presbytery

Rev. Judith Crilley, Chaplain, Parkland Health & Hospital System, Dallas

Rev. Ellen Dittman, Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church, Richardson

Marisu Fenton, Northridge Presbyterian Church, Dallas

Rev. Craig Hunter, Trinity Presbyterian Church, Denton

Rev. Kendal Land, First Presbyterian Church, Longview

Rev. Angie Mabry, First Presbyterian Church, Plano

Rev. Kate McGee (Moderator), Westminster Presbyterian Church, Arlington

Rev. Lisa Patterson, St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, Denton

David Williams, Trinity Presbyterian Church, Southlake

Betsy Winters, First Presbyterian Church, Dallas

Staff Resources

Rev. Elizabeth Callender, Director of Ministry Development, Grace Presbytery

Tammy Stepka, Executive Assistant, Grace Presbytery

The Committee on Representation is responsible for the implementation of Grace Presbytery’s commitment to inclusiveness, diversity, and representation.

The committee advises the Presbytery Council concerning employment of personnel and the Nominating Committee concerning diversity in leadership.

Committee Members

Crysta Brantley, First Presbyterian Church, McKinney

Rev. Seong Soo Lee, Holy Seed New Church Development, Frisco

Karenna Malavanti, First Presbyterian Church, Waco

Bernabe Martinez, Gethsemane Presbyterian Church, Ft. Worth

Rev. Richard McDermott, (Moderator) First Presbyterian Church, Arlington

Martin Osae, Ghanaian Fellowship at Woodhaven Presbyterian Church, Irving

Sean Price, NorthPark Presbyterian Church, Dallas

Staff Resource

Joanna Kim, Director of Ministry Services, Grace Presbytery

The Congregational Support Committee connects, encourages and equips churches within Grace Presbytery in an effort to strengthen and grow their congregations.

Committee Members

Rev. Lander Bethel, Grand Avenue Presbyterian Church, Sherman

Beth Fultz, St. Stephen Presbyterian Church, Ft. Worth

Jodi Haun, First Presbyterian Church, Grapevine

Rev. Kathy Lee-Cornell, Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church, Dallas

Rev. Judith March Hardie, Central Presbyterian Church, Waco

Randall McGee, St. Mark Presbyterian Church, Dallas

Brian Parker (Moderator), Woodhaven Presbyterian Church, Irving

Douglas Williamson, Gethsemane Presbyterian Church, Ft. Worth

Rev. Candice Richey Womack, United Presbyterian Church, Greenville

Staff Resources

Joanna Kim, Director of Ministry Services, Grace Presbytery

Leah Wyckoff, Resource Center Director, Grace Presbytery

Tammy Stepka, Executive Assistant, Grace Presbytery

The General Presbyter Search Committee was elected at the stated meeting on December 7, 2019, for the purpose of discerning, seeking, and identifying candidates for the position of General Presbyter for Grace Presbytery.

Following the committee’s search, and related interviews, it is the goal of the committee to bring a qualified candidate to the presbytery for vote.

Updates will be shared periodically via the committee’s moderator, Rev. Kate McGee.

Committee Members

Jerry Camp | First Presbyterian Church, Kilgore
Rev. Amos Disasa | First Presbyterian Church, Dallas
Rev. Judith Hardie | Central Presbyterian Church, Waco
Phyllis Kidwell | First Presbyterian Church, Athens
Rev. Kate McGee (Moderator) | Westminster Presbyterian Church, Arlington
Zem Neil | First Presbyterian Church, Fort Worth
Rev. Matthew Ruffner | Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church, Dallas
Rev. Kelly Staples | Trinity Presbyterian Church, Flower Mound
Curtis Wells | St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, Denton

Staff Resource

Gerry Tyer | Stated Clerk, Grace Presbytery

The Nominating Committee will nominate for election by Grace Presbytery:

1. Presbytery Moderator, Vice Moderator, Stated Clerk, and Treasurer for one-year terms
2. Members to fill new classes on presbytery committees, commissions, and the Presbytery Council giving consideration to the particular skills, abilities, interests, and experiences needed.

When making nominations, the committee will insure the following principles are followed:

1. representation of the broad theological, cultural, racial, geographical, and generational diversity of the presbytery
2. competence of nominees in their area of service
3. willingness of nominees to work in a collaborative and collegial manner
4. commitment of nominees to the inclusiveness and diversity of the presbytery, and
5. commitment of nominees to the mission of Grace Presbytery and the Presbyterian Church(USA)

Committee Members

Fred Baur, Bentwood Trail Presbyterian Church, Dallas

Anne McCully, Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church, Richardson

Rev. Matt Curry, Central Presbyterian Church, Waxahachie

Beth Fultz, St. Stephen Presbyterian Church, Ft. Worth

Rev. Lisa Juica-Perkins (Moderator), Covenant Presbyterian Church, Sherman

Rev. Lynette Solomon, Kerens Presbyterian Church, Kerens

Dr. Charles Weaver, First Presbyterian Church, Waco

Miatta Wilson, First Presbyterian Church, Dallas

Staff Resources

Rev. Michael Thompson | Interim General Presbyter, Grace Presbytery
Gloria Beard | Executive Assistant, Grace Presbytery
Joanna Kim | Director of Ministry Services, Grace Presbytery

Nominations Process

As Presbyterians, we believe that the church of Jesus Christ is larger than any one congregation. One of the ways we embody this conviction is through the life of the larger Presbyterian family: the presbytery, the synod, and the General Assembly.

Every year, Grace Presbytery involves people in ministry through committee work at the presbytery level. Grace Presbytery has many committees on which to serve as you hear a call from God to do so.

To suggest your name or someone else for service in Grace Presbytery, please use the form linked below.

The nomination form has three sections: Nominee’s information, Committee Choices, and Nominated by. Click on the gray box to reveal each section of the 3-part form.

Self-nominations are encouraged.

Begin the process online.

The Permanent Judicial Commission consists of nine members elected in odd numbered years for six-year terms. The Stated Clerk is an ex-officio member with voice, but no vote.

This Commission fulfills the responsibilities as specified by the Presbyterian Church (USA) Book of Order, Rules of Discipline.

Committee Members

Rev. Gordon Blackman, Alpine Presbyterian Church, Longview

Rev. Darla Blatnik, Member-at-Large, Grace Presbytery

Donna Bowling, Grace Presbyterian Church, Temple

Susan Cuellar, Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church, Richardson

Rev. Mary Stewart Hall, First Presbyterian Church, Gainesville, Grace Presbytery

Melinda Hunt, Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church, Richardson

Mark Snyder, Bentwood Trail Presbyterian Church, Dallas

Staff Resource

Rev. Dr. Gerry Tyer | Stated Clerk, Grace Presbytery

The Personnel Committee recommends to Presbytery Council personnel policies, job descriptions, and a method of annual performance review of all staff. When necessary the Personnel Committee also recommends nominees to the Council to fill the presbytery positions of Stated Clerk, Treasurer, and Director(s).

This committee conducts annual reviews of the General Presbyter and Stated Clerk, as well as insuring that all open positions are advertised throughout Grace Presbytery and an open search is conducted prior to filling any position in order to implement the presbytery’s commitment to inclusiveness.

Committee Members

Phyllis Kidwell, First Presbyterian Church, Tyler

Zem Neill, First Presbyterian Church, Ft. Worth

Rev. Andrew Odom (Moderator), Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church, Richardson

Rev. Katy Rigler, St. Barnabas Presbyterian Church, Richardson

Rev. David Schaefers, First Presbyterian Church, Richardson

Staff Resource

Rev. Mike Thompson | Interim General Presbyter, Grace Presbytery

The Young Adult Ministry Committee explores and initiates ministries and events with young adults to deepen their faith, explore mission interests and opportunities, and engage in shared learning about faith and service.

Committee Members

Morgan Gafford, First Presbyterian Church, Ft. Worth

Hannah Hegewald, Grace First Presbyterian Church, Weatherford

Mary Henderson, First Presbyterian Church, Rockdale

Katie Holloman, Grace First Presbyterian Church, Weatherford

Daniel Pappas, Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Dallas

Eric Varnon (Moderator), First Presbyterian Church, Ft. Worth

Staff Resource

Gary Holloman, Director of Youth and Young Adults Programs, Grace Presbytery

For more information visit our Young Adults Ministry page.

Grace Presbytery holds a vision of the Youth Ministry Committee’s (YMC) role as advocating for youth in the life and ministry of the church.

The YMC is responsible for addressing youth ministry needs and concerns of the presbytery and its congregations. This committee works with individuals and church congregations to enable ministry that is multi-directional.

The YMC has three ministry teams: Leadership, Outreach, and Worship

These teams:

• Plan and organize events and ministries for junior high and middle school youth, such as Youthquake
• Plan and organize events and ministries for senior high youth, such as the Senior High Youth Connection (SHYC)
• Provide leadership training opportunities for youth and adult leaders of youth
• Encourage participation in General Assembly Presbyterian Youth Connection and Synod-sponsored youth events
• Communicate Youth Ministry information and resources
• Connect youth and youth ministries across the presbytery
• Help establish relationships among youth and youth ministry leaders

Committee Members

Sarah Bailey, First Presbyterian Church, Garland

Matthew Bierwirth, Central Presbyterian Church, Waco

Jack Leischner, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Dallas

Tori Manning, Covenant Presbyterian Church, Sherman

Melissa Moffett (Co-Moderator, youth) St. Philip Presbyterian Church, Hurst

Jonathan Rice (Co-Moderator, youth) Lake Highlands Presbyterian Church, Dallas

Miriam Ross (Co-Moderator, adult) Trinity Presbyterian Church, McKinney

Jena Shankle (Co-Moderator, adult) Trinity Presbyterian Church, Southlake

Karen Smith, Woodhaven Presbyterian Church, Irving

Luke Smith, First Presbyterian Church, Grapevine

Cheryl Stovall, Faithbridge Presbyterian Church, Frisco

Rev. Robbie Trussell, Member-at-Large, Grace Presbytery

Tami Voyles, Trinity Presbyterian Church, McKinney

Ethan Williams, First Presbyterian Church, Mesquite

Staff Resource

Gary Holloman, Director of Youth & Young Adult Programs, Grace Presbytery

For information visit the Youth Ministry page.