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Connie has been a Methodist her entire life. She was baptized in Stillwater, Oklahoma by a young pastor who went on to become a Methodist Bishop; the late Bishop Kenneth Copeland. Connie has been an active lay member of the church, teaching Sunday School and Bible studies as well as chairing Worship, Education and Mission Committees. With a love of all kinds of music and a Music Degree, Connie has enjoyed directing children's choirs and singing in youth and adult choirs both in the church and community. Connie has served as Lay Director for both Chrysalis and Walk to Emmaus weekends and on their Houston boards. In 1996 Connie was certified in Christian Education by the Texas Conference and is a member of the Texas Conference of Christian Educators Fellowship plus the National Christian Educators Fellowship. Greater Houston Leadership Education School leader/teacher and Conference Division of Education membership also occupy her time and energy.

Connie and Steve have been married 37 years and have two children, Kimberly 33, and Andrew 26. They all love Mission Bend United Methodist Church and especially our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 

Kyle Howton, Youth Director

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Kyle was born and raised in Fort Worth, and is new to the Houston area as well as Mission Bend UMC. He previously served as the Youth Minister at Faith UMC in Fort Worth, and before that was the Associate Youth Minister at Meadowbrook UMC, also in Fort Worth. In addition to youth ministry, Kyle has professional experience as a photographer, and a carpenter. He obtained his Associate of Arts Degree from Tarrant County College and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English/Creative Writing through Southern New Hampshire University’s online program. After completion of his Bachelor’s, Kyle plans to go to seminary to pursue a career in ministry.

Kyle also recently became engaged to Jessica Maldonado and the two have plans to wed in May of 2011.  They are proud parents of their puppy, Lily, a one-year-old shih tzu, and enjoy weekends at the dog park or visiting local farmer's markets.

 

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Eston is a graduate of Purdue University with a B.S. in Economics. He has completed postgraduate work at LaTourneau here in Houston. Eston has more than 30 years of business experience in government, corporate and private sectors. He holds the MAI professional real estate designation with the Appraisal Institute, is a member of the Financial Planning Association, member of the Houston chapter of the National Association of Church Business Administrators, an Independent Trustee, and does volunteer work as a Court Visitor for Harris Country Probate Court No. 2. His hobbies include tennis and flying. He and his wife Nancy have lived in the Mission Bend area for the past 20 years. He reports to the Chair of Trustees and co-ordinates their monthly meeting agenda.

 

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Mary was born and raised in Houston. She is a graduate of the University of Houston with a B. A. in Merchandising. Mary and her husband of 32 years, Gary, joined Mission Bend UMC in 1983. They teach High School Sunday school.  They have two grown children, Autumn and Brian.

 

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Dawn was born in Steubenville, Ohio. She is the middle of three children. She has an older brother, Jeff, and a younger brother, Donald. For the first 6 months of her life she lived in Ohio. Then, her family moved to St. Petersburg, Florida. They lived there for about 10 years. Then, they moved to Houston. She graduated from Spring Branch High School in 1984. in 1986 she met her husband, Bill. They have been married for 22 years and have three wonderful children, Williams, 21, Marcus, 19 and Dawna, 16. They are involved with their children’s school activities and also their church activities. As a family, they have been coming to Mission Bend UMC for 6 years.

 

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Daniel Kramlich was born and raised in Hokendauqua, PA. He has three children: Lauren, Brent, Dawn and step-daughter, Christina. Dan's wife, Emmeline, is also an assistant pianist at MBUMC. He received a BA in Piano Performance from Lebanon Valley College, a MM in Music Theory (with minors in piano and composition) with distinction from Indiana University and earned his DMA in composition from the University of Houston.

Dan is currently Professor in Music at Houston Baptist University, where he has been a full-time faculty member since 1981. He served as pianist for MBUMC from Fall, 1983 to Summer, 1996, as interim choir director twice, and has been in his current position as music director since 1996.

 

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Nancy is a native Houstonian. She attended First Baptist Church downtown until she was fifteen years old. Her family then transferred to Crestmont United Methodist Church in their neighborhood. There she met her husband, Delton Gerdes. Delton owns his own advertising agency. Nancy and Delton have two children, Cameron and Cristen.

For the past 16 years, Nancy has participated in numerous Bible studies and is a member of the Revelation Sunday School class. She has also served as chairperson for fund-raiser and education committees. Nancy leads the exercise program at the church.