Specialists

Jan Floro

Jan is highly sought after by congregations who desire a better understanding of who God is calling them to be and need help with defining and implementing a plan of action to become that congregation.

Jan is the owner of Grow Church Now and consults with churches who have questions to answer to move forward in living out the Vision and Mission that God has given them. She has been consulting with churches since 2007 and has had the privilege of working with United Methodist congregations of all sizes and demographics, located across the Texas Conference.

Virtual Worship…. your new front door!  Two years ago, we seldom thought about having a conversation regarding what hospitality might look like with an online congregation, but now it is crucial to bring a hospitality focus to everything we offer online and onsite. Today, more than ever, the first impression received by our guests determines if they make a second in-person or virtual visit. That first impression includes the initial welcome, the intentional follow-up, and everything that happens in between.

I have led District trainings and workshops on Hospitality/Welcoming Ministry, have personally consulted with over 40 congregations to bring an improved, intentional hospitality focus, and served as a Ministry Subject Matter Specialists for Vibrant Church Initiative from 2015-2020. My extensive training and network allow me to stay current with best practices in the Hospitality arena and to help each congregation determine their strengths and the opportunities for improvement. I look forward to having a conversation with you soon. 

Juanita Jackson   

A native of Houston, Texas, Ms. Juanita Jackson is a life member of Trinity East United Methodist Church.

As a child, she found joy being active in children and youth ministries of the church, such as Sunday School, Children’s Choir, Youth Usher Board, Girl Scouts and MYF. Over time, her infectious love of children and the elderly caused her to continue to serve the church through her passion for lay ministry. She has served as Chairperson of Administrative Council, Member of SPPRC and Finance Team, as a Member and Chair, Board of Trustees. She currently coordinates Congregational Care Ministry and serves as Lay Delegate to the Annual Conference and District Lay Leader for the Central South District.

Ms. Jackson helps extend the witness of the church, by serving on the Trinity East Village Community Development Corporation and on the Emancipation Economic Development Council.

A graduate of the historic Jack Yates High School in Houston, Ms. Jackson earned a BA in Speech Communication from Texas Southern University and continued Post Graduate studies at the University of Houston.

Beyond the local church, Ms. Jackson serves as Lay Leader for the Central South District, as Secretary to the University of Houston Wesley Foundation Board of Directors, Treasurer of the Local Chapter of Black Methodists for Church Renewal (BMCR) as well as coordinates camping logistics for district campers. Additionally, she served as an officer for South Central Jurisdiction of Black Methodists for Church Renewal (SCJ BMCR) and as Youth Coordinator, and member of the board of Directors of National Black Methodists for Church Renewal (NBMCR).

After being diagnosed with cancer in 2009 she retired from 40 years of active employment at the University of Houston. God directed her fight for life, through medical treatment, a stem cell transplant, plus fervent prayers from family, friends, and her church. She returned to lay ministry at Trinity East, with great joy and inspiration.  In 2019 she underwent a second stem cell transplant. Her motto: if I show love and compassion for the young and the elderly, God will bless my later years with a younger person to provide the same needed attention.

Jack Matthews

My name is Jack Matthews. I was born and raised in Houston and currently live in Tyler, TX. I have been working and volunteering in a ministry of some kind for the last 15+ years. Volunteering on a U.M. ARMY workday in 2010 actually led me to meet my wife, Marla, while building a wheelchair access ramp. Marla and I got married in 2011, we have two boys, Jackson, and McClain, who have managed to keep us on our toes, but also show us a deeper level of connection to God and our Church. I currently work for U.M. ARMY as a Regional Director, setting up and facilitating mission trips in the Texas and Louisiana United Methodist Conferences for church groups large and small.

What is the first impression a visitor has about a church or their congregation? Whether they are coming to an event on-site, attending a Bible study with a friend, or coming to worship, every time a visitor steps foot on your property, they are learning something about your church. As a mystery worshiper, I will help your church hold up a mirror to let them see how they looked on a particular day to a visitor from the outside. While I have been invited to all kinds of events and Bible studies, my specialty is analyzing your Sunday morning experience. As a life-long United Methodist worshiper, and someone who has attended services throughout Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Washington D.C., and England, I have seen what a good worship service can do through music, a sermon, a prayer, or even the simplest bulletin. Picking up on these things is difficult for a member, so let me help you find out what your church looks like from the outside.

David Sabom

A native Houstonian, I grew up on the west side, attended Spring Branch ISD schools, and received my BA from the University of St. Thomas with a major in music.  After about 18 years as a small business owner/operator I entered the nonprofit field, first at Goodwill Industries of Houston, then worked for three nonprofits whose focus was providing free home repairs for low-income, elderly, and disabled homeowners, the last one being U.M. ARMY where I served as Executive Director 2005-2017.  I retired in 2017, but quickly went to work for Disaster Ministries of the TAC doing Hurricane Harvey recovery in SETX and retired again in 2018.

I was a member of a Southern Gospel men’s quartet (The Southernaires) for about 20 years, where I sang and played guitar, performing at local Opry’s, revivals, and church services.  Additionally, I started and led 2 praise bands for start-up contemporary worship services.

I am married (34 years) to Rev. Sharon Sabom, an elder in the TAC, have 3 adult children and one grandson.   We live in rural Fort Bend County, hobbies include music, photography, bird watching, and feeding the deer.

Being an itinerant clergy spouse for over 20 years I worshipped in many different churches.  I am accustomed to first-time visits and enjoy meeting new people.  I am intrigued with the idea of doing that with a purpose, to help the church be a comfortable and inviting place for worship, and to make disciples.

Sharon Sabom

A native of Fort Bend County, I’ve serving churches in the Texas Annual Conference in some capacity since 1996.  I have served in the district as the chair of the Finance Committee, chair of the District Committee on Ministry and as a District Trustee.  On the conference level I have chaired the Committee on Spiritual Formation, chaired the Health Benefits committee, and served on the Pensions Committee.  I also currently serve on the board of Texas Methodist Foundation as a trustee. In retirement, I became certified as an Intentional Interim Ministry Specialist.  I have a passion for serving and helping the smaller churches in our Conference.

I would love to a Mystery Worshiper!  When possible – I have quietly visited a new church before my appointment began.  This allows to me observe the congregation while sitting anonymously among them.  I review the bulletin, how media is being used, the flow of the worship service, how folks interact with each other and how visitors/guests are received and more.  Sign me up!