Ralph Mann Senior Pastor

Born and raised in Texas, Ralph has over 25 years of pastoral ministry experience.  He is married to Verna, and they have five children, but only two now living at home - Rebekah and Bethany.  They are also blessed with three grandchildren.  Verna is currently a stay at home mom, but professionally she is an English teacher with a Master's degree in literature.  She has taught both High School and Junior College.  Ralph's passion in ministry is Evangelism and Preaching.  He holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Southern Methodist University.  His primary duties are preaching and directing the vision and focus of BUMC.  He has a passion for people to serve the Lord in wherever God is calling them.  Prior to entering ministry, Ralph spent 8 1/2 years in the Air Force as a Korean Linguist. Ralph is proud to be an Eagle Scout, and was a chaplain at the 2010 Boy Scout National Jamboree.  He enjoys camping, riding motorcycles, and flying airplanes  (He is a certified flight instructor).  Even though he has an adventuresome spirit, he still enjoys a quiet day of soaking in God's creation with a book under a tree, or a casual conversation with a friend.

Diana Phillips Associate Pastor

Diana is excited to begin her ministry at BUMC and to become better acquainted with the Bulverde area!  She began her appointment in June of 2011.  Prior to coming on board, Diana served Gruene UMC in New Braunfels, First United Methodist Church Seguin and Colonial Hills UMC in San Antonio.  Diana was awarded her Master’s of Divinity Degree from Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University in 2010. In addition, she also holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling. Her undergraduate education includes a Bachelor of Science Degree in Rehabilitation Education and an Associate’s of Applied Science in Human Services.  Prior to her call to ministry, Diana worked as a professional counselor in a variety of settings such as foster and adoption, family services, domestic violence as well as working extensively with the disabled population.  Diana is married to Mark who is retired from the Air Force, works at USAA as a Lead Process Engineer and is also a Graduate Instructor in the College of Business at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA).  Mark and Diana are the proud parents of five awesome daughters (Nicole, Courtney, Erica, McKenna and Melissa)!  For renewal and relaxation, Diana enjoys hiking, walking, baking, reading, going to the movies, shopping, and spending time with her husband, daughters and two shelties. She also enjoys nature and traveling with her family, especially to the mountains and ocean.

Steve Angle Director of Music & Worship Arts

Hannah Hedgpeth Director of Children's Ministries

I am excited to be the Children's Director at BUMC.  Since becoming a member here in 2001 I have seen an amazing children's ministry grow and am blessed to be a part of that.  I have a wonderful husband, Darrell, and three beautiful girls; Shelby, Emma and Avery.  Like many families we are busy with school and activities but we keep God as our main focus for our family.  In our children's program our children are fully immersed in Bible stories and how to apply the Bible and God's grace to their daily lives.  Children will experience a loving atmosphere and fellowship with other Jesus followers in our Sunday school program.  BUMC is a great place for children and families!

Reese Henry Lead Pastor Hope Arise

Reese Henry is a product of the Texas hill country.  He grew up in the rural town of Blanco, Texas where he learned to hunt and fish and to love both. Shortly before his freshman year of high school his family moved to Pflugerville, Texas.  Reese graduated from Mary-Hardin Baylor University with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and Biblical Studies. He completed a Masters in Community Counseling from UTSA in 2008 and is currently attending Austin Presbyterian Seminary.  Reese has been working in youth ministry for the last fifteen years with stops at churches like Community Bible Church, and most recently Bulverde United Methodist Church. After obtaining his local pastor’s license in the United Methodist Church, he began serving BUMC as an associate pastor.  Reese is currently pastor of Hope Arise UMC, a daughter congregation of Bulverde UMC which launched in September 2010. Reese is blessed to be married to Natalie Henry and have two sons, two year old Reese Henry IV and new born Rowan Henry. Reese is extremely excited to see God at work in this new faith community.

Ron Thompson Praise Band Director

Born and raised in Georgia, Ron became interested in music at a young age.  He began teaching himself guitar when he was just 12 years old.  He began playing golf as a teenager as well.  Faced with the choice of a career in golf or music, Ron chose the guitar. He has pursued excellence in his craft ever since.  Ron has the gift of encouragement.  His drive for excellence is contagious.  He challenges his students, band members, and vocalists to go to the next level and improve on the gifts God gave them.  Whether he is recording in the studio, teaching young people, leading the praise band, or gigging professionally, it’s always about the Lord.  Ron doesn’t like to draw attention to himself.  He would rather make others look and sound great.  He would much rather draw people into the presence of God. Ron is currently employed full time with law office of Prichard, Hawkins, McFarland & Young as Office Services Coordinator and has been working with this core group of attorneys for 20 years.  He joined the staff at Bulverde United Methodist Church in 2003 as Praise Band Director.  He has played and recorded with many diverse groups and venues.  From country to jazz-fusion to blues, he does it all.  He is currently starting on his first solo recording project.  Ron is the proud father to his 22-year-old daughter, Savannah.  He married Heather in March 2007.  They live in Boerne, Texas.

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 11 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!  Karen and her husband Chuck have 2 children; Dawn who lives in San Antonio and Charlie who is currently in Chicago, Illinois at Northpark University in the seminary program They also have a 20 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.