Staff Gift Program | The Woodlands Methodist Church

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We are thankful for our amazing staff at The Woodlands Methodist Church. Get to know some of them a little better below, and check out their favorite recipes. Maybe some of these recipes will show up on your Thanksgiving table this year!

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JUST SOME OF OUR AMAZING STAFF

If you would like to show our staff a “dash of gratitude” for all their hard work, please consider giving to our Staff Gift Program.

Aaron Laird

Pastor, The Church at Montgomery

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Aaron Laird

What are you most thankful for this year?

The people of The Church at Montgomery

What is your favorite thing about working at The Woodlands Methodist Church?

It is evident that the spirit of God is actively working both within the staff and people of TWMC.

What is your favorite Thanksgiving food/recipe?

Deviled eggs

What do you like to do in your free time?

Go fishing!

Ailyn Guerra

Creative Services Administrative Assistant

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Ailyn Guerra

What are you most thankful for this year?

I’m most thankful for seeing the Lord’s hand in every area of my life, my family and my job.

What is your favorite thing about working at The Woodlands Methodist Church?

It’s a dream come true to love your job and glorify God at the same time. I love my team; they are my second family.

What is your favorite Thanksgiving food/recipe?

As a Cuban, roasted pork is a MUST! But green bean casserole is my ultimate favorite.

What do you like to do in your free time?

Relax, enjoy moments with family and friends, listen to music, go on prayer walks and read

Ashley Goad

Pastor of Missions

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Ashley Goad

What are you most thankful for this year?

I’m so thankful for my family. They’re the best!

What is your favorite thing about working at The Woodlands Methodist Church?

The people! And every day I learn something new.

What is your favorite Thanksgiving food/recipe?

Sweet potato casserole with a pecan streusel on top

What do you like to do in your free time?

Play with my pup, Molly; watch North Carolina basketball; read, read, read

Bethany Johnson

Discipleship Administrative Assistant

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Bethany Johnson

What are you most thankful for this year?

I’m most thankful for God’s continuous blessings in my life.

What is your favorite thing about working at The Woodlands Methodist Church?

My amazing colleagues are my favorite thing about working here.

What is your favorite Thanksgiving food/recipe?

My Aunt Laura’s mashed potatoes

What do you like to do in your free time?

Hiking and catching up on reading

Coleen Pierce

Weekend Worship Manager

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Coleen Pierce

What are you most thankful for this year?

I’m thankful for being married for 28 years to my best friend and for adult children who choose to hang around with us.

What is your favorite thing about working at The Woodlands Methodist Church?

The best things are knowing that we are all working together to grow the kingdom of God and having coworkers who genuinely care about all aspects of my life (my family, my mental health and my spiritual health).

What is your favorite Thanksgiving food/recipe?

Apple crumble — it’s good stuff.

What do you like to do in your free time?

Everything! I love staying busy crafting, reading, going out to dinner and to the movies, and doing home projects.

Daniel Lumpee

Loft Lead Pastor

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Daniel Lumpee

What are you most thankful for this year?

I have a practice of “naming” each year — finding a certain verse, phrase or word that I will focus on. 2024 is my year of gratitude. I begin each morning with Scripture reading and then five minutes of gratitude journaling, focusing on what I am thankful for. As I think about all that I have thanked God for this year, I am most thankful this year for my amazing family. It’s been a joy to watch my daughters grow up and develop into disciples of Jesus, and to see my wife find her calling and grow her business.

What is your favorite thing about working at The Woodlands Methodist Church?

My favorite thing about working at TWMC is that my fellow clergy and staff people don’t feel like coworkers; they are friends and family. I am genuinely excited each morning to go to the office. We laugh together, we worship together, and we grow together.

What is your favorite Thanksgiving food/recipe?

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because it centers around three things I love: gratitude, food and football. There are very few Thanksgiving foods I do not like, but one of my favorite things is mixing everything together into one giant blob of Thanksgiving goodness — mashed potatoes, gravy, turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, some kind of obligatory vegetable, sopped up with a dinner roll.

What do you like to do in your free time?

With three young daughters and a very active wife, I don’t have a ton of free time. But I love going to the gym, playing golf, hunting and reading.

Dora Marquez

Caring Ministry Assistant

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Dora Marquez

What are you most thankful for this year?

I am thankful for my family.

What is your favorite thing about working at The Woodlands Methodist Church?

Midweek Prayer

What is your favorite Thanksgiving food/recipe?

Pecan pie

What do you like to do in your free time?

Read, watercolor and take nature walks

Guillermo Rivera

Technical Director

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Guillermo Rivera

What are you most thankful for this year?

I am thankful for my health and having a great team to work with every day.

What is your favorite thing about working at The Woodlands Methodist Church?

My favorite thing is being able to create an atmosphere of worship every week.

What is your favorite Thanksgiving food/recipe?

Homemade mashed potatoes

What do you like to do in your free time?

I love to travel and try new food places.

Julia Jordan

Project Manager

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Julia Jordan

What are you most thankful for this year?

I am most thankful for close relationships with family, friendships and a year of growth.

What is your favorite thing about working at The Woodlands Methodist Church?

I love the community that exists at TWMC! It is truly a blessing to work alongside, worship and serve God with such a faithful group of people.

What is your favorite Thanksgiving food/recipe?

All Thanksgiving food is so good, but my favorites are my grandma’s dressing and corn casserole.

What do you like to do in your free time?

Spending time with family and friends, gardening, cooking/baking new recipes and spending time outdoors

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Marc-Antony Guillory

Videographer

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Marc-Antony Guillory

What are you most thankful for this year?

I am most thankful for my family, my health and TWMC’s creative team.

What is your favorite thing about working at The Woodlands Methodist Church?

My favorite thing about working here is being able to wake up every day and utilize the gifts that God has given me.

What is your favorite Thanksgiving food/recipe?

If I had to pick, deep-fried turkey! But thank God I never do, so just put it ALL on my plate(s).

What do you like to do in your free time?

I love to workout, cook, laugh with family, watch movies/shows and, most importantly, take naps.

Nicole Caldwell

Publication Specialist

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Nicole Caldwell

What are you most thankful for this year?

Many things! But if I had to pick one, I would say family.

What is your favorite thing about working at The Woodlands Methodist Church?

The people! A special shout out to Bishop Bob Hayes — he can brighten anyone’s day.

What is your favorite Thanksgiving food/recipe?

Baked artichokes with bacon

What do you like to do in your free time?

Travel

Pam Broussard

Campus Coordinator, The Church at Woodforest

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Pam Broussard

What are you most thankful for this year?

Family — my natural family and church family

What is your favorite thing about working at The Woodlands Methodist Church?

My favorite thing about working here is being part of a body devoted to living like Christ, loving on those in our midst, and doing so in connection with an array of amazing people.

What is your favorite Thanksgiving food/recipe?

Paula Deen’s corn casserole with lots of butter and cheese

What do you like to do in your free time?

Snuggle grandbabies, read, cook, travel

Pierce Drake

Pastor of Formation

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Pierce Drake

What are you most thankful for this year?

For my family. We have gone from one kid to two kids which has been incredible! We also are so thankful for the community that surrounds us and makes this place home.

What is your favorite thing about working at The Woodlands Methodist Church?

My favorite thing about working here is that we all are headed in the same direction. We all are going after Jesus together, and being on a team that does this together brings us so much joy!

What is your favorite Thanksgiving food/recipe?

Hands down, not even a question, it is my grandmother’s mac and cheese.

What do you like to do in your free time?

Time with my family, playing golf and having great dinners with friends

Ruth Witchett

Receptionist

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Ruth Witchett

What are you most thankful for this year?

I am most thankful for my family and all those who are a part of what I like to call “my village.”

What is your favorite thing about working at The Woodlands Methodist Church?

The heart of the people who make up The Woodlands Methodist Church

What is your favorite Thanksgiving food/recipe?

Cornbread dressing (preferably if my husband makes it)

What do you like to do in your free time?

I like to spend time with my family.

Sonya Hall

Administrative Assistant to Mark Sorensen

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Sonya Hall

What are you most thankful for this year?

So many things! Of course, I’m thankful for my family and this amazing church, but also the community we live in and opportunities and diversity found here.

What is your favorite thing about working at The Woodlands Methodist Church?

The people! Our staff is made up of amazing people with a heart for Christ.

What is your favorite Thanksgiving food/recipe?

Cranberry sauce, homemade with orange and cinnamon

What do you like to do in your free time?

Work out, read, do puzzles

Tori Cherry

NextGen Kids Lead Shepherd

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Tori Cherry

What are you most thankful for this year?

My husband and I becoming parents to our first child

What is your favorite thing about working at The Woodlands Methodist Church?

The community between departments — it really is a family environment where I know each staff member would show up if I ever needed help. I also love the students and kids I get to mentor and teach; they show me the light of Jesus every day!

What is your favorite Thanksgiving food/recipe?

Pea salad and buttered rolls

What do you like to do in your free time?

I love hanging with my family! We go on a lot of walks/play outside, travel to Austin for UT games, and have lots of pool days which are my favorite.

Wanda Horton

Special Needs Youth/Adults Ministry Assistant

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Wanda Horton

What are you most thankful for this year?

I am most thankful for several things. One, that Jesus saved me back in 2019 during a medical malpractice surgery. The devil tried to snatch me from the arms of Jesus, but Jesus was not finished with me yet. There are things that Jesus wants me to finish in His ministry. I feel so blessed to have a relationship with Him.

What is your favorite thing about working at The Woodlands Methodist Church?

Working here at TWMC is a blessing. My daughter, Delta, first joined the Resound Choir after we relocated back to Conroe. Since then, I volunteered with the Special Need’s Ministry in various roles. Then, I was chosen to direct the Resound Choir. The staff, parents and students have been a joy to work with and the love of God flows from person to person. This church has created a place for those with special needs and their families to grow in Christ.

What is your favorite Thanksgiving food/recipe?

I never learned to cook as a parent and wife, but my family always enjoyed me making Italian cream cake. I since have shared this recipe with my daughter who is now a wife and parent.

What do you like to do in your free time?

My free time is spent volunteering in the community in any capacity.

Whitney Mertz

Women’s Ministry Coordinator

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Whitney Mertz

What are you most thankful for this year?

I’m thankful for the health and happiness of my family.

What is your favorite thing about working at The Woodlands Methodist Church?

Seeing how much everyone loves and cares about each other

What is your favorite Thanksgiving food/recipe?

My grandmother’s stuffing recipe

What do you like to do in your free time?

I like to read, garden and play with our three bulldogs.

Zach Anderson

Pastor, Covenant Church at Creekside

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Zach Anderson

What are you most thankful for this year?

I’m thankful for God’s gift of my wife and our growing family — Ellis (3 years old) and Theo (born this April).

What is your favorite thing about working at The Woodlands Methodist Church?

The culture! As one of the newest members of the TWMC family, it has been my great joy to be welcomed into such a friendly and faithful staff.

What is your favorite Thanksgiving food/recipe?

Warm rolls

What do you like to do in your free time?

I enjoy family time, exercise and reading.