The work of presbytery committees includes strategic efforts to connect and equip our churches, our pastors, and congregational leaders while also supporting church development wherever possible.
Budget & Finance Committee
The Budget & Finance Committee provides financial and budgetary oversight, guidance, and support to the Grace Presbytery, the presbytery treasurer, and the financial operations staff.
Resources
All forms and documents can be found in the Budget & Finance Committee section of the document library.
Committee Members
Homer Brown | Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church, Richardson
Rev. David Ivie | First Presbyterian Church, Forney
Ken Johnson (Ex-officio member) | Grace Presbyterian Church, Temple
Suzie McCoy | First Presbyterian Church, Arlington
Rev. Marwood “Woody” Meredith | First Presbyterian Church, Athens
Brent Rutan | Central Presbyterian Church, Waxahachie
Rev. Karl Schwartz | First Presbyterian Church, Dallas
John Walters | St. Stephen Presbyterian Church, Ft. Worth
Staff Resources
Rev. Mike Thompson | Interim General Presbyter
Vicki Roberts | Finance Director
Church Development Committee
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
Committee On Ministry
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 related to the Committee on Ministry can be found in our document 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
Social Justice Task Force Members
Rev. David Batchelder (Co-Moderator) | West Plano Presbyterian Church, Plano
Rev. Thomas Gibbons (Co-Moderator) | Honorably Retired, Grace Presbytery
Rev. Clay Allard | Oak Cliff Presbyterian Church, Dallas
Kymberlaine Banks | Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church, Richardson
Armel Crocker | First Presbyterian Church, Winnsboro
Rev. Amy Moore | Member-at-Large, Grace Presbytery
Rev. Perryn Rice | Lake Highlands Presbyterian Church, Dallas
Rev. Katy Rigler | St. Barnabas Presbyterian Church, Richardson
Rev. Kyle Walker | Member-at-Large, Grace Presbytery
Laura Westerlage | Trinity Presbyterian Church, Mansfield
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
Committee on Preparation for Ministry
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
Rev. Mally Baum, Trinity Presbyterian Church, McKinney
Denise Bennett, Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Dallas
Rev. Dr. Clay Brantley, Member-at-Large, Grace Presbytery
Rev. Judith Crilley, Chaplain, Parkland Health & Hospital System, Dallas
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
Sheryl Taylor, Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, Bedford
Janet Walters, Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church, Richardson
David Williams, Trinity Presbyterian Church, Southlake
Betsy Winters (Moderator) First Presbyterian Church, Dallas
Staff Resources
Rev. Elizabeth Callender, Director of Ministry Development, Grace Presbytery
Tammy Stepka, Executive Assistant, Grace Presbytery
Committee on Representation
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
Congregational Support Committee
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
General Presbyter Search Committee
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
Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee will nominate for election by Grace Presbytery:
- Presbytery Moderator, Vice Moderator, Stated Clerk, and Treasurer for one-year terms
- 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:
- representation of the broad theological, cultural, racial, geographical, and generational diversity of the presbytery
- competence of nominees in their area of service
- willingness of nominees to work in a collaborative and collegial manner
- commitment of nominees to the inclusiveness and diversity of the presbytery, and
- commitment of nominees to the mission of Grace Presbytery and the Presbyterian Church(USA)
Committee Members
Rev. Ron Holloman, Honorably Retired, Grace Presbytery
Phyllis Kidwell, First Presbyterian Church, Athens
Leo Perez, Commissioned Pastor, Iglesia Emmanuel, Farmers Branch
Rev. Lisa Juica-Perkins (Moderator), Covenant Presbyterian Church, Sherman
Rev. Clint Schofield, First Presbyterian Church, Clifton
Rev. Lynette Solomon, Member-at-Large, Grace Presbytery
Sheryl Taylor, Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, Bedford
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.
Permanent Judicial Commission
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
Personnel Committee
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
Young Adult Ministry Committee
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.
Youth Ministry Committee
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.