Specialists
Rev. Dr. Jim Bankston
I have been a pastor for over 50 years in the TAC. I have served churches in rural, small towns, suburban and urban areas. I have also been a district superintendent. I have been a part of ministry and growth in almost every kind of setting and circumstance.
If I can walk with you in some aspect of your pastoral or prophetic ministry, I am available to listen to you and help you and your congregation find a way forward toward a faithful witness and a hopeful future in these times.
Rev. Alicia Besser
Alicia Besser has served in a variety of appointments from a large church associate to District Superintendent. She loves helping pastors process their experiences in the local church. If any of the wisdom she gained in ministry is helpful to others she happy to it share pastors.
A variety of experiences (associate at a large church, closed a small church, revitalized a soon to be suburban church; Senior pastor with associate in East Texas, District Superintendent and pastored during covid at a new appointment); Supervised Seminary Students doing internships.
Good listener and encourager. I love to brainstorm ideas with others.
Rev. George Brookover
I have fifty-five years of pastoral experience. As an ordained Lutheran (ELCA), I served Holy Comforter Lutheran/Kingwood, Texas for three decades. This encompassed be church planter to leading a staff of nine ordained and lay leaders. From 1996-2014 I served my ELCA jurisdiction as an Intentional Interim Pastor. In 1997 Brookover Leadership was established for training and leading clergy and laity in several denominations.
This realm is designed reinforce the specific gifts and graces that each clergyperson depicts. And, to motivate them in growing forward in their strengths and adding more skills to their resume.
Rev. Marlin Fenn
Marlin has served as pastor in Deport, Baytown, Trinidad/Cedar Creek Lake, Galveston, Hallsville, La Porte, Bryan, and Katy. He served the Northwest District as Superintendent from 2015 until retirement in 2021 and as Interim DS of the South District for three months in 2021. He lives in Katy, TX and has an ugly garden and good-looking grandkids. His interest is in the spiritual health of congregations and pastors. His training and experience include Mediation and Conflict Transformation, Decision Analysis, and Executive Coaching.
Marlin can guide a process for pastors and congregations seeking to move beyond conflicts or crises. He can guide churches that have a real desire to engage the community in ways that can encourage church growth. He can coach pastors needing someone with whom to process difficult events or decisions.
Rev. Stephanie Hughes
Rev. Stephanie Hughes has 21 years of pastoral, preaching, and teaching experience as an ordained elder currently serving at St. John’s UMC in Texas City. In discerning her own call to ministry, she related most to Moses standing before the burning bush ready to reject God’s call with a list of excuses and insecurities. She learned early on that figuring out a call to ministry, next steps in ministry, strategic planning, or even getting unstuck takes discernment and often times, seeking help from a seasoned professional. Just as God sent Aaron to walk alongside Moses, God sends individuals to walk alongside us in ministry to be a coach and mentor. Throughout her ministry career, she has come alongside both lay and clergy to encourage and equip them to discern their next steps in deepening their own journey in personal discipleship and in public ministry. As a Ministry Specialist, Rev. Hughes is coaching and mentoring clergy in preaching, spiritual formation, community engagement, revitalization, and long-range planning.
Rev. Hughes is compassionate, a good listener and asks the right questions to assist in times of discernment or when you feel like you’ve hit a wall, or your work life and personal life are off balance. She is a mom with two teenage kids and a rambunctious husband. She has served in a variety of church ministry settings from serving small rural churches in East Texas to serving large churches in the outskirts of Houston as an associate and currently serving a mid-size congregation with staff. She has experience in conflict management, staff development, and developing vital ministry in challenging times.
Rev. Jay Jackson
I am a second career minister with 25 years of ministry experience who was raised in the United Methodist Church as the child of a UMC pastor. My first career was as a Chemical Engineer with Exxon, but my entire life has been spent as a devoted member/pastor in the United Methodist Church. I have been blessed to serve in a wide variety of ministry settings from small rural churches to large multi-staff churches. I have served in several East Texas settings, as well as in the Houston area and College Station, and was also a part of the Cabinet of the Texas Annual Conference. I have been blessed to leave every church that I served in better condition than I found it, while bringing significant turnarounds to several of them. I currently serve a dynamic congregation at Longview First United Methodist Church that is thriving and extending ministry in new and exciting ways.
I have found myself increasingly in the role of mentorship in my ministry. In addition to my time as a District Superintendent, I have mentored associate pastors in my pastorates with church staffs, mentored numerous interns through their seminary internship processes, and have recently led an RCG group of pastors through the ordination process. In these formal relationships, I have been able to draw upon my own experiences to help guide pastors to better understandings of their roles and assist them in thinking strategically in their appointments. I have also been blessed by strong collegial relationships that have assisted me and allowed me to assist others in ministry mentorship.
Rev. Bob Johnson
Bob Johnson is a UM elder who retired in 2019 after 32 years of active service. Being retired gives him more time to partner with other church leaders and pastors to leverage that experience. He and his wife, Susan, now attend the west campus of St. Peter’s UMC in Katy.
After working for a Fortune 500 Company as an engineer for twelve years, Bob served churches in East Texas and Houston as solo/senior pastor, then as executive pastor for 15 years at Chapelwood UMC. At Chapelwood, Bob helped lead the church through two changes in senior pastors, both with 20+ year tenures. His ministry involved visioning and strategic planning, staff supervision and accountability, and he helped implement ministries to deepen discipleship and improve mission alignment, all in addition to normal pastoral functions of teaching, preaching, and pastoral care. Leveraging his longtime experience as executive pastor, Bob has consulted with several other churches both inside and outside the Texas Annual Conference on the executive pastor role.
Bob was a member of two different District Boards of Ordained Ministry and for 12 years he served on the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry, including a term as the Conference Psychological Officer. His BOM service gave him the opportunity to serve as a clergy mentor to several cohorts of elder and deacon residents, two of whom eventually became a District Superintendent. (He thus thinks of himself as a “grand-pastor!”)
Rev. Dr. Todd Jordan
Dr. Todd Jordan has been serving churches in the TAC since 1998, including a small congregation in a transitional neighborhood, a medium-size county seat church, and large multi-staff churches. During his first appointment he led a successful merger between two churches which allowed both congregations to discover new life and ministry. Currently Dr. Jordan serves as Senior Pastor of Strawbridge UMC where they strive not to be the best church in the community, but the best church for the community.
Dr. Todd Jordan has been serving churches in the TAC since 1998, including a small congregation in a transitional neighborhood, a medium-size county seat church, and large multi-staff churches. During his first appointment he led a successful merger between two churches which allowed both congregations to discover new life and ministry. Dr. Jordan relies on over 20 years of pastoral experience to assist clergy in discovering their own gifts and graces to work through transition, conflict, growth.
Rev. Cesar Martinez
Hi, my name is Cesar Martinez, and I am the Pastor of CrossRoads UMC. I grew up here in Houston in the Spring Branch area and graduated from U of H. I got my MDIV from Perkins after answering the call to ministry. My wife’s name is Karina and I have a daughter named Shibelle and son named Elisha.
In my ministry I have had the opportunity to mentor young clergy and people making the transition into Pastoral Ministry. I help them process through both good and difficult situations in ministry. I help equip with leadership and communication skills. I have especially helped Local Pastors in developing a system of exegesis and sermon writing.
Rev. Mark McClanahan
I have a heart for helping pastors. Throughout my ministry when I observe a pastor struggling, I reach out and offer what I can hoping to ease their load. Every pastor, church and situation are unique. Where I can I offer my 20+ years of experience in hopes of helping other clergy maximize their effectiveness. I have served Longview, Greggton UMC, Linden UMC, Van UMC, Normangee, First UMC and Flynn UMC.
Rev. Dr. Carlos Phillips
Elder in full connection, UMC since 2007.
Services to the UMC: Senior Pastor, Conference BOM, District BOM, DIstrict Leadership Team, Conference Task Force, Mentor
Passionate about teaching, coaching, and mentoring, especially Pastors serving Christian churches with discipling ministries as core values.
Rev. Luis Ramirez
Pastor Luis was born in Stillwater, Oklahoma and raised in Maracaibo, Venezuela. He is a graduate of the Moores School of Music and the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Houston where he studied Opera Performance, Italian and Spanish. He received his Master of Divinity from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.
Pastor Luis has been active in ministry and in the community through Walk to Emmaus, Kairos Prison Ministry International, United Way, Meals on Wheels, Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston, SHSU Charter School, UPWARD™ Soccer, Spring ISD Ministerial Alliance, Northwest Area Assistance Ministries and UM ARMY.
In the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, he has served as the Founding Pastor of Misión Milby UMC in Houston, as the Associate Pastor at Servants of Christ UM Parish, also in Houston, and Cedar Bayou Grace UMC in Baytown, and as the Senior Pastor of Cypress Trails UMC in Spring.
While at Cypress Trails UMC, Pastor Luis led a Change Management process that emphasized Community Engagement and Outreach. Over a period of six years, the Church’s congregation accurately mirrored its multiethnic community Demographics. This process included the transformation of the Music Ministries in style and multigenerational engagement, charismatic Preaching, and an emphasis on fruitful Stewardship.
Pastor Luis spurred Cypress Trails UMC’s Revitalization through Fundraising. In six years, he helped raise over $500,000 inclusive of grants, individual gifts, bequests, corporate support and building rental revenue. This caused the Church to re-engage its Vision and develop Mission Strategies for reaching the neighborhood.
Pastor Luis has been involved in Clergy Mentorship as a mentor to the Conference’s Exploring Candidates for ordained ministry. He has also mentored the Associate Pastors, Lay Ministers and Staff members under his leadership throughout his ministerial career.
Currently, Pastor Luis lives in Baytown with his wife, Heather, their daughter, Isabella, and their dog, Luna, where he serves as the Senior Pastor of Cedar Bayou Grace UMC.
Rev. Dr. Jim Reiter
After 35 years of full-time service in the East Texas area (serving in a wide variety of rural and urban settings and church sizes), I took early retirement from UM parish ministry (in May 2018) so that my wife, Kathy, and I could pursue our interest and passions in spiritual formation on a full-time basis.
My formal training includes: studies at Perkins School of Theology (M.Div., 1987 and D. Min 1992), a Professional Certification in Spiritual Formation (through the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church and studies at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary in 2019), Certification and commissioning as a Spiritual Director (via the Episcopal Diocese of Texas’ “FIND School for Spiritual Direction and Formation”)
Since retirement (and the founding of Zoe-Life Explorations [www.zoe-life.net]), I have conducted a variety of explorations/workshops for individuals, congregations, and districts, and Conference entities across the United States and Canada—especially focused in and through my work as Director of the Richard and Julia Wilke Institute of Discipleship’s online Certification in Spiritual Formation Program (via its online presence at www.BeADisciple.com).
I welcome the opportunity to serve individuals and faith communities as they reframe and reclaim the depth and breadth of Christian discipleship—journeying with the Spirit into greater and fuller maturity in Christ.
Mentors play an essential role in the discovery, affirmation, and nurturance of gifts and skills for ministry—promoting greater effectiveness in personal formation and corporate leadership. Crucial to this companioning relationship are trust, a mutual respect for boundaries, a sense of “journey shared,” listening, “speaking the truth in love,” confidentiality, a sense of accountability—all defined, along with a sense of goals and process, in a foundational covenant.
Drawing upon 35+ years of experience in pastoral ministry (in a variety of settings and roles), gleanings from a wide variety of clergy conferences and retreats, and credentialing in spiritual formation and spiritual direction, I’d be honored and excited to companion with ministers (both clergy and laity) in their journeys to greater faithfulness and fuller effectiveness in life and ministry.
Rev. Dr. Steve Stutz
The Rev. Dr. Steve Stutz is an ordained Lutheran minister who has served rural/small town congregations in west Texas, as well suburban/inner city congregations in the metro Houston area. He has worked extensively with clergy and congregations of the Texas Annual Conference in a wide variety of consulting roles since 2014. He is a certified church consultant through the Society for Church Consulting and teaches at the Houston Graduate School of Theology.
Coaches help clergy clients trust their deep inner wisdom and knowledge of the context in which they are serving and set clear and accountable outcomes, while encouraging them along the way. Essentially, coaches help clergy stay focused on God-sized goals and lead with courage and resilience. Dr. Stutz is a certified coach through the Coach Training Alliance and is member of Houston Coaches (an ICF charter chapter). He has worked with UMC clergy in the Texas Annual Conference (individually and in cohort groups) since 2017. Providing individual coaching for clergy or a comprehensive church consultation process for congregations.
Rev. Bill Taylor
Reverend Bill Taylor served five churches of multiple sizes, and two districts in the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church before retiring in July 2016 after a 45-year career. In retirement Bill works as a clergy coach, intentional interim pastor, a CASA volunteer, and in his spare time, he pursues his hobbies reading, fly fishing, photography, gardening, hiking, running, and travel.
Reverend Taylor enjoys working with churches of all sizes, as well as clergy at different stages of their careers. Having served as a district superintendent in two districts, Bill understands the complexity of ministry in today’s world. He is passionate about helping pastors become more effective and churches more relevant and is willing to reach out where needed to help both clergy and congregations.
Rev. Tom Teekell
Originally from Bossier City, LA, Tom Teekell received his BBA in Business Analysis from Texas A&M University and his MDiv from Brite Divinity School. Tom served a two-point charge in seminary (1992-1996), served Kilgore College Wesley Foundation as its first full-time campus minister (1996-1998), served as the campus minister at SFA in Nacogdoches for 21 years (1998-2019), and now continues to serve SFA Wesley as the Executive Director (2019-present). He received the Texas Conference Eric Anderson Evangelism Award in 2006 for his work in campus ministry. Tom has served on multiple boards and task forces as a clergy including CF&A, the Conference Board of Trustees, and The Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry.
As a Ministry Specialist for Clergy Mentoring, Tom has mentored over 50 college students into ordained ministry and still mentors many of them after their ordination. Most of Tom’s mentoring comes from mentoring young pastors to help them navigate the personal and professional challenges of being a pastor. In addition, as a certified personal financial coach through Dave Ramsey Ministries and one who has hundreds of CEUs in church and clergy taxes, Tom can help clergy tackle personal financial planning.
Rev. Harry Vein
I have served in the Texas Annual Conference for the past 40 years, beginning ministry at my home church, Chapelwood UMC in Houston, I have also served FUMC Cleveland, FUMC Brenham, Cypress UMC and Faith UMC in Spring. Through my years of ministry, I have served on the Conference and District Boards of Ordained Ministry and was the Dean of Local Pastors School for the Annual Conference for 4 years. My greatest joys surround my family and people that I have connected with over the years.
In serving as a mentor to clergy, I desire to help clergypersons strengthen their leadership skills and to strengthen them in their self-care, so that they can increase their effectiveness as pastors and leaders. Besides serving in ministry for close to 40 years, I have worked with Perkins School of Theology as a mentor to interns for almost the past 10 years. I look forward to developing mentoring relationships with clergy as we transform the world around us.
Rev. Dr. Steve Wende
Dr. Steve Wende is a native Texan, with degrees from the University of Texas, Yale Divinity School, and Princeton Theological Seminary. Of special relevance to the Ministry Specialist project is that his work at Princeton focused especially in the areas of leadership development, organizational growth, and role effectiveness. After serving smaller churches in south Texas, Steve went on to serve as pastor of University UMC of San Antonio for 21 years and First UMC of Houston for 15. He is married to Dr. Karin Wende, a church historian and Biblical scholar. They are the parents of Michelle Gebhart, who lives with her family in Virginia, and Rev. Meredith Mills, who lives and ministers with her family in Houston. Steve is now retired and enjoys traveling with Karin, spoiling the grandkids, and coaching pastors and leaders seeking to grow their ministries for the Kingdom.
Steve’s special concern is for those working through transitions in ministry, such as those experiencing a church expansion, a pastoral change, a financial crisis or a new congregational vision. Often, this means coaching the pastor or other leaders. It can also mean giving basic information on leadership development, role differentiation, team building and healthy change procedures not only to clergy, but also to staff and laity. Steve’s training and experience includes everything from leadership workshops to personal coaching to guiding lay leaders through change and systemic restructuring. Over the years, however, he has learned that along with any information given, his best approach as a coach is through supportive listening, learning, and encouragement. His goal is to walk with pastors and churches in a way which applies ministry best practices to the real-world dynamics, personalities and challenges involved in their setting, and to do so in a positive, effective, and uplifting way.
Rev. Irv White
Prior to answering the call to pastoral leadership in 2005, I spent twenty years as an Emmy Award winning television news and sports reporter and anchor in Kentucky, Florida, Alabama, Texas, and Tennessee.
For nineteen years I served as Director of Marketing for Windsor Village UMC, ten of those years as an associate pastor.
I consider myself to be a pretty good storyteller with lots of DIY knowledge in graphic design, video production, and launching a virtual worship service. If you are looking for creative ways to elevate the look and feel of your church among your members and the community I can probably help.
I believe that iron sharpens iron and that my experiences as a husband, father, associate pastor, and lead pastor can help you navigate whatever challenges you may be facing.
Rev. Marilyn White
Rev. White is an Elder in Full Connection as a member of the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. Rev. White entered ministry in the United Methodist Church in 1989, and served as associate pastor at her home church, Covenant Glenn UMC, Missouri City, Texas. She was appointed to her first church as senior pastor in 2005, and currently serves as senior pastor at Trinity East UMC, Houston, Texas.
Rev. White is committed to serving God and dedicated to following God’s lead. She has always cared deeply about the spiritual needs and growth of other. Through her ministry, people are empowered and liberated to fulfill their God-given destiny. She has a heart for being a change agent in whatever community God has placed her. She strongly believes "we are our brothers and sisters’ keeper.”
Rev. White currently serves as President for the Third Ward Community Cloth Fund Organization. She is a board member of the Emancipation Economic Development Council and participates with the Community Land Trust and Housing Development committee for this organization. She is a member of the Third Ward Assistance Ministries Task Force, the Trinity East Village CDC, and the Community Research Advisory Board for the Health Research Institute at the University of Houston.
Rev. White has served on many Conference and District boards and committees such as the Central South District Leadership Team, District Board of Ordained Ministry, and Conference Board of Ordained Ministry. She was the Chairperson for Certified Mentors, Conference Relations Chairperson and currently serves as a member of the Clergy Leadership Team.
Rev. White earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from LeTourneau University and a master’s degree in Divinity from the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University.
Rev. White is married to Leroy White and has two children and four grandchildren who are the joy of her life.
Rev. Dr. Richard ‘Dick’ L. White
Richard White served 44 years as an elder under appointment in the Texas Annual Conference before retiring July 1, 2021. During his career, he served primarily in the Houston area as the senior pastor of several mid to large size congregations. Prior to his final appointment as the lead pastor of Katy First UMC, he served six years as the District Superintendent of the Southeast District of the Texas Annual Conference. Richard earned his Master of Theology and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University. He is married to Letica who is a psychotherapist in the Katy area. They have three daughters and three grandchildren.
Pastors are lifelong learners. Some things can be learned by reading a book or attending a seminar but integrating what is learned into the practice of ministry is best done with a clergy mentor or coach. As a clergy mentor, I have 44 years of pastoral experience leading churches. I served eight years as a member of the conference board of ministry and mentored many candidates as they discerned their call and readiness for ordained or local pastor ministry. During my time as a District Superintendent, I supervised 50 pastors in the Southeast District, some of whom had tricky ministry challenges. I am familiar with Family Systems Theory and have taught seminars on the Enneagram, which is a helpful tool for personal and professional growth. I have a collaborative leadership style, and I am energized by working with pastors in ways that encourage, guide, and support them in their work of ministry.
Rev. Lawrence Young
Currently serving as Sr. Pastor of Klein UMC – Texas Conf. Additional Senior Pastor appointments include Warren Memorial UMC; Cascade UMC; Jones Memorial UMC; Abundant Life UMC – (new church start), District Superintendent of the Central South District. He received his Master of Divinity of Gammon Seminary @ ITC.
Rev. Young has 34 years of Pastoral Ministry, 6 years as District Superintendent, 20 plus years of “informal mentoring” of several successful Pastors currently serving the church, and years of serving in a multi-staff context with Associates looking to him for supervision.