Specialists
Rev. Richard Bauman
Richard is a retired Deacon in the United Methodist Church now living in Sealy, Texas west of Houston and Katy. I served St. Peter’s United Methodist Church in Katy for 22 years in the area of Christian Education. I enjoy model trains (although I have yet to build a layout currently), gardening and lawn care, working with NOMADS to rebuild or repair homes, churches, campgrounds as needed in our RV. Jigsaw puzzles occupy many hours as do the over 300 movies in my collection.
I have three grown children with four grandchildren whom I try to keep in touch with via Zoom or Facetime. Life is good!
Most of my career centered around being a generalist in Christian Education utilizing a Masters of Christian Education degree from Scarritt College for Christian Workers in Nashville. While at Tomball for ten years, my responsibilities entailed working with youth ministries as well as training teachers for children. I helped to organize TEAM (Tomball Emergency Assistance Ministries).
At St. Peter’s I helped the Early Childhood Development Center work toward raising its standards. Initially I worked to train teachers for the children’s Sunday School classes and offered help throughout my tenure there to the adult classes. I led Disciple Bible Studies, taught Divorce Recovery, and organized and led Covenant Club, our nine-month confirmation class for sixth graders.
Lauren Bedevian
I am Lauren Bedevian. I am one of the children’s ministry directors at Memorial Drive UMC in Houston. I have worked in full-time children’s ministries since May of 2010. I graduated from Pfeiffer University with a degree in Christian Education. I am certified in Christian Education through the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. I have consulted and worked with the United Methodist Publishing House (Cokesbury) on a variety of children’s ministry projects. I am a licensed foster parent that fosters newborns and infants. My passions are anything relating to children and families.
My degree and certification are with Christian Education. I am knowledgeable about curriculum- writing and adapting. I can help churches assess the programs they currently have and equip them for growth and success. My knowledge and background in Christian Education will help churches find the resources that are best fit for their congregation.
Rev. Neomi ‘NeNe’ Fletcher
Emory University - Master of Divinity with concentration in Theology and Ethics. Rice University - Bachelor of Art in Religious Studies, Bachelor of Art in Policy Studies - Urban and Social Change Concentration. Community College of Aurora - Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education. Child Care Education Institute Online - Infant and Toddler Safety Certificate
Rev. Neomi Fletcher approaches Christian Education with a desire for all learners to read the Bible with attention to the ongoing themes, the nature of God’s self-revelation and the promises God makes to humanity. Holding the perspective that learning is a lifelong activity, she trains teachers and facilitators on how to take a single concept and present it in a variety of ways. She also advocates for evaluating a church’s Christian Education program every 3-5 years to provide members with opportunities to continue growing in their depth and knowledge of the Bible. As your church’s consultant, Rev. Fletcher can aid you in identifying books and curriculum sets that suit your congregation, writing a church specific curriculum, identifying teachers, building a year-long teaching plan, or hosting training for your Christian Education team.
Connie Fowler
I am Connie Fowler. I am a Life-Long Methodist. My husband, Steve and I have been married for 55yrs. and raised two grown children. I am a Breast Cancer survivor, have a Music background and “will talk to anyone” according to my family & friends!
I was certified in Christian Education at Perkins School of Theology in 1998. I have loved serving as Christian Education Director for all ages, in two (2) local United Methodist Churches here in the Houston area for over 30 years until retirement, December 2020. I am an active member of the Texas Conference Christian Educators Fellowship. I continue to lead Adult Bible Study Classes at Mission Bend UMC, am a Substitute Children’s Sunday School Teacher, work the weekly distribution of food at The Mission Bells Food Pantry, continue support of The West Houston Emmaus Community by “working” walks, and find ways constantly to use the skills and training provided by Stephen Ministry with individuals in the church and community.
Through my experience of leading Christian Education – Sunday School, Nursery, Senior Travel Groups & Small Groups with over 350 participants of All Ages to the decline in church attendance, especially in the Christian Education area (35 loyal participants); I can offer encouragement and hope to churches to “stay the course”. With Prayer and Mentoring of faithful church members, I believe Jesus will revive His church and make it Again a “Beacon of Love” for the community.
Some of the strategies I will use to accomplish this task may include: Discover individual members’ Spiritual Gifts through workshop process. Start Weekly Back to Basics Bible Studies (Disciple, Daily Devotionals, Planned Bible Reading Programs). Challenge the congregation outside of own needs into an attitude of Mission, locally and/or beyond. (UMCOR, UMARMY, Red Cross, Local Food Pantry, etc.)
Don R. House, Sr.
I have benefitted from years of local church involvement as a layman and years of studies of growth and decline of churches through local church year-end reports—from 1974 to 2020. I serve as president of the Institute for Local Church Growth (ILCG), supervised by the West District but serving annual conferences and local churches throughout the U.S.
United Methodist churches form unique environments for open discussion and dialog that can rarely happen effectively in secular settings. Many prospective members yearn for productive discussions around theology, Wesley’s sermons and writings, and societal challenges. Success is evidenced by a common question: “I have been a member of this church for 20 years, and why am I just now learning this material?”
Rev. Adam Muckleroy
I am a Pastor in the Texas Annual Conference, currently appointed to Canton First United Methodist. I have been under appointment as a pastor since 2014, serving in churches in the Southeast and Northwest Districts. My wife Erin is also a pastor, and we have two kids, Hannah, and Jonathan. I love connecting churches to the narrative of Scripture and their history, and then using that connection to empower them to serve God and others.
Working with other pastors on the Northwest District Leadership Team, we created the Discover Bible study method designed specifically for people with little or no experience with the Bible begin to read Scripture and discover its teachings. The Discover method is designed so that people can gather in small groups and approach the Bible without feeling as if they need any prerequisite knowledge about the Bible and what it contains. More and more churches in the Northwest district and beyond are beginning to utilize this method to strengthen biblical literacy for newcomers in the faith or people who struggle to read it.
Priscilla Novak
Priscilla is a native Texan! She was born in Carrollton, TX but moved to Houston when she was 3 years old. Priscilla attended Elementary, Junior High and High School in Cy-Fair ISD and graduated from Stephen F. Austin University in 2010 with a Bachelors of Arts in Social Studies and a minor in Secondary Education. Summer jobs in between college years were spent interning in Children’s Ministry at John Wesley, where her love for God and children grew into a passion and calling from God. She completed her Christian Education Certification in Children’s Ministry and Christian Education at Perkins School of Theology in 2016. Priscilla is excited to partner with other churches in our conference to better connect people to Christ. Priscilla enjoys spending time with her family. She is often found at the movies, reading, baking/crafting, or listening to Taylor Swift on REPEAT!!
Christian Ed – I can serve you church to help you create your own discipleship studies and membership classes. Studies that are developed with your churches language and culture in mind only help to enrich the congregants experience and growth. We created and developed 4 Discipleship Pathways that consists of 3, 4-week courses (12 weeks for each pathway). Our membership classes are 4 consecutive weeks where guest learn about the churches mission and vision, get to know the pastors and how they can connect to the body of Christ.
Rev. Whitney Peper
Rev. Whitney Peper is an ordained Deacon in Full Connection within the UMC. She currently serves at St. Peter’s UMC in Katy, TX as the Pastor over Care Ministry, Special Needs and leads the Courage Worship Service on Sunday evenings. Whitney is married to Tim, and they have one son Jase.
Christian Education is one of the most vital tools we have our disposal as churches to help raise up children, teens, and adults to be effective disciples for Jesus Christ. It is not just about teaching the Bible stories we all know but understanding deeply God’s heart and purpose within scripture and then applying it to every part of what we do as a church. It is about understanding our education as Christians involves our events, our worship planning, our sermons, and how we function as a church. It is how our experiences with God and for God, shape us into who we are as people and as a church. I would love to work with your church to develop curriculum readiness strategies, whole church Christian education system or whatever you need.
Rev. Kristin Rockwell
Reverend Kristin Rockwell started her career in ministry in 1993 as a professional Christian Educator. In 2002, she continued her service to the church moving to pastoral ministry. In 2019, she added a certification in Spiritual Direction and serves as a spiritual director while continuing her pastoral ministry. She has served large and small churches on the northside of Houston and in Northeast Texas.
Kristin loves helping people grow in their understanding of God and how God is active in the world and in their lives. She is especially drawn to contemplative and Celtic spirituality, Enneagram as a way to know oneself better, and prayer of all kinds. Outside of work, Kristin enjoys reading, spending time with family and friends, experimenting with new recipes, and listening to music.
I started my career on staff at a small church where I became certified in Christian Education. I have continued to make Christian Education a part of my ministry for almost 30 years. I am passionate about helping people explore scripture to gain understanding and maturing us as disciples. I am skilled in imagining ways to incorporate CE into a variety of ministry activities--both traditional activities such Sunday school as well as non-traditional places such a community dinner.
Teresa Rossy
Teresa serves as Director of Adult Discipleship Ministries at Chapelwood United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas. Her passion is seeing persons grow more in love with Jesus Christ in a way that makes a difference in their relationships with God, self, others, and the created world. Her role in that work is teaching Scriptural principles, modeling spiritual disciplines, and equipping leaders to do the same.
Teresa earned a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin and a professional certification in Christian Education through Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. She currently serves as an instructor in the certification program at Perkins and as chair of professional certification on the Texas Conference’s Board of Ordained Ministry. She also serves on the Board of Directors of Ascending Leaders.
Married since 1982 to Ken Rossy, Teresa and Ken have a son and a daughter, both married, and two grandchildren with one more on the way. They enjoy traveling, gathering with friends, babysitting their grandchildren as often as possible, book clubs, and walking together. They are both active in Chapelwood UMC as members and leaders. I am an experienced Christian educator who has a passion for developing leaders who will disciple others.
I can assist and train staff and lay leaders in the following areas: Leadership development – setting goals, creating mission and vision statements, character development, integrity, reliance on Scripture for Christian leaders. Bible study methods – hands on practice and training to enhance Bible study for adults. Team building – best practices for managing a team of staff or lay leaders.
Mindy Standlee
Mindy has a background in psychology and has worked in ministry for over 15 years. She is passionate about helping people feel connected in the church. She loves helping people find an area to serve and plug into. She feels strongly about partnering the local church and families together to grow a child’s spirituality. She loves to help children understand and relate to scripture at their level.
Her experience includes leading and growing a mid-week program for the church and community for 80+ elementary aged children and a weekly worship service for children aged Kinder-5th grade. She has developed and trained multiple strong volunteer bases for Sunday morning, Mid-Week, VBS, special events and Confirmation at multiple churches. She has experience in nursery protocols and best practices along with developing and leading Confirmation classes and preteen groups.
She has experience leading and equipping both employees and volunteers. Mindy has acted as an enneagram coach with individuals and groups. She has experience helping people relate to one another using that methodology.