Bulverde  

United Methodist Church

  28300 Highway 281 North, San Antonio, TX  78260     Phone 830-980-7745

 Staff

Mark Deaton (Senior Pastor)

Mark Deaton is our Senior Pastor. He was born in Lubbock, Texas, but moved frequently as a child and calls Edinburg, Texas his home town. He has a BBA from the University of Texas-Pan American and a Masters of Divinity from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. He has been married to Cynthia Deaton, who is also on staff, for 36 years. They met in freshman algebra class in high school and dated all through high school and college. They have two grown children, Taryn and Patrice. They have three pets: a basset hound named Canton Tankerous, because they bought him at “First Monday” in Canton, a sheep named Beauregard and a pot bellied pig named Percy. Mark likes to work with wood in his spare time. The person he most admires is anyone who is trusting enough to be real with him. Food: he likes anything chocolate. He recommends the book “Reaching Out”, by Henri Nouwen because it is the basis of his “Hospitality Evangelism” that he teaches. His favorite vacation spot is anywhere in Colorado.

Steve Coker (Associate Pastor)

Steve Coker is in his third year appointment as an Associate Pastor at BUMC.  He is a Licensed Local Pastor working toward ordination.  Steve, his wife and two sons have lived in the Bulverde area for the past eight years and have worshipped at BUMC since 2000.  As a part-time Associate Pastor, Steve is bi-vocational, spending the other half of his time as the Director of Light Shine Ministries, a newly formed community outreach ministry that works to break cycles of poverty and dependency while preventing homelessness in the community.  Steve serves as the Chaplain of the BUMC chapter of The Order of Saint Luke the Physician and leads the monthly Spiritual Renewal and Healing service at BUMC.  As a trained Stephen Leader, Steve is a co-trainer and the Referral Coordinator for BUMC’s Stephen Ministry program.  Steve also heads up the church’s pastoral care responsibilities. 

Paul Harris (Associate Pastor)

Pastor Paul Harris is a full-time Associate Pastor at Bulverde UMC. After 25 years in engineering/management positions, Paul answered the call to ministry heard as a teenager. He enjoys preaching, teaching and leading small groups in Christian discipleship. He serves BUMC as a Licensed Local Pastor and is in process of becoming an ordained Elder in the United Methodist. His areas of responsibility include staff administration, coordination of adult discipleship and small group development, and assisting in pastoral care

Cynthia Deaton (Children's Pastor)

Animal friends make up her extended family in the backyard:  Percy the pig and Tanker the Bassett Hound.

Steve Angle (Director of Music & Worship Arts)

Born in Georgia, raised in LA (Lower Alabama), Steve has loved music since he was old enough to sit in his Mama's lap and help her play piano.  He received his Bachelors Degree in Music from Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama in 1975, and his Masters Degree in Choral Music (Conducting) from Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University) in San Marcos, Texas.  Steve has served as music and youth minister in United Methodist churches for over 34 years.  He loves to play piano, guitar and sing.  He writes and arranges music and likes a wide variety of styles and types of music.  He has always especially loved choral music, and says he would like to play more racquetball (his favorite pastime).  He loves gizmos, like: Pocket PCs, Computers, Sound Equipment, Television, etc.  More than anything, though, Steve loves serving Christ in whatever capacity possible.  Though he does not do Youth Ministry per se anymore, he still loves kids and just loves being involved with the wonderful people in the community of Christ.

Reese Henry (Youth Pastor)

Reese Henry is our Youth Pastor.  He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in psychology/religion and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Professional Counseling. Reese has worked and volunteered in various organizations encouraging youth to choose a lifestyle focused on knowing Jesus Christ.   He feels his educational background and past experiences allow him to motivate and relate to every individual.  He says, "It's my goal to share with youth the peace and joy that is found in Christ and help them reach their highest potential.” Reese hopes to make a difference in the lives of youth by demonstrating they have the ability to learn, grow, make healthier decisions, and ultimately know what they believe. This is the vision of the BUMC Youth Ministry and Reese is excited to share this vision with youth, parents, and the community.

Ron Thompson (Praise Band Director)

Ron Thompson is BUMC’s Praise Band Director. He is originally from Perry, Georgia, and has lived in Atlanta, Lafayette, and San Bernardino. A graduate of Georgia Southwestern, he has no time for leisure activities but in lieu of this dreams of playing golf.  Ron loves to read, write and compose original music given to him by the Lord. He has an 18 year old daughter named Savannah whom he has lovingly nicknamed ‘Munchkin’. He has no pets (that he is aware of!) The person Ron most admires is either Phil Keaggy or Steve Coker. He is not sure of his favorite food, but it is either shrimp or salmon with angel hair pasta, and his to-die-for snack is Oreos and cashews together. Outside of the Bible, his favorite book would be “The Rest of the Gospel” by Dan Stone. He doesn’t have time for vacations, but if God blesses him with a wife, wherever they would go would be his favorite place. Ron can always be heard saying “Be blessed”.

Lisa Nelson (Church Administrator)

Lisa Nelson is the smile on the other side of our phone.  She is known around the church for her bright and cheerful personality and her great competence.  Lisa has one son, Matthew, who is her pride and joy.  Lisa is involved in our church as its Treasurer. She co-leads a small group and is very involved in Emmaus.  Lisa just can't wait until her house is built and will finally be able to rest her head on her own pillow!

Karen Hughes (Office Administrator)

Karen has been with BUMC for 7 years now and enjoys her job as much now as she did when she first started.  The people contact is her favorite part of working in the office.  Loves a good laugh!  She also has been involved with the youth group for 9 years, though her main focus now for the group is coordinating special events like mission trips, ski trips, or any other outing.

   If you need a prayer request sent out or a Pastor to make a hospital visit, Karen will make sure that is done for you.  She handles the church calendar and schedules rooms for classes, meetings, etc., and produces the bulletins for Sunday service.

   Camping (anywhere there are mountains around), Disney World and San Diego are Karen's favorite vacation spots.  Favorite books and movies?  Anything, especially funny ones, but no scary ones!  Favorite food?  Pistachios and cashews!

   Karen and her husband Chuck have 2 children; Dawn who lives in San Antonio and Charlie who is currently in Illinois at Willow Creek Church doing a year internship in High School Ministry. They also have a 25 pound "Tiger Cat" named Bailey and a Chihuahua named Chuy.

Susan Moore (Director of Child's Morning Out)

Susan Moore is the director of our Child’s Morning Out program. She has been working at the church for 15 years. She graduated from John Marshall High School in San Antonio. She also has an Associate in Applied Science in Child Development, Professional Administration National Credential, and Management CEU from UTSA. She has been married to Randy Moore for 27 years. They have 3 children: Michael, who will graduate from Texas A&M Corpus Christi on May 15^th, 2005, Robert, who is working at HEB, and Kristin, who will be going to Smithson Valley High School in the Fall. Pets: they have 2 dogs, Tuffy and Angel, and a whole lot of out side cats. Susan’s hobbies are doing crafts, playing games, reading and camping in their RV. She likes to go to New Mexico, Colorado and the beach for vacations. She likes to read all kind of books but not horror books.

Linda K. Reynolds (Administrative Assistant)

Linda is our Administrative Assistant and helps with general contributions, attendance and membership records.  Her husband of 32 years is in the band instrument business and they have 2 grown children, Clint & Emily.

Their dream of moving back to the hill country was fulfilled when they moved to Canyon Lake in 2004.  They had originally left the Austin area in 1974 to live in Houston and then Fort Smith, Arkansas.

In her spare time, she enjoys working crossword puzzles, cooking, entertaining, and playing with her grandson.

Guy Davis (Custodian)

Guy Davis came to us in 2003, first as the drummer for our SonRise Celebration Praise Band, of which he is still a member.  Not long after that Guy became our weekday custodian and handyman.  But those who know him know he is really The Minister of Space.  When you meet Guy in the hall he always has time for a prayer, a story or a testimony.  He is married to Carolyn and they are both very involved in the whole life of our church.