Our Staff

Meet our Leadership Team

jim 2012

Jim Gerlach, Pastor

Contact Jim:


What is your favorite scripture? 

Phillipians 1:6

Where and how did you accept Christ?

I came to Christ during a revival at Woodridge Baptist Church.  

What do you want to communicate to the folks who are visiting the web site?

I hope that anyone who comes to the web site would sense that Oak View exists to connect people to Christ and His life-changing love. I’d like the web site to be a tool for helping everyone take their next step in their relationship with Christ and with other Christ followers. 

What is your dream for your ministry?

I dream that our church will become an unstoppable force for the cause of Christ in our community and around the world. I dream of a church of influence, one that impacts each generation to live a life radically committed to Christ and to reaching those without Him.         

What is your educational background (School & Degree)?

B.S (Chemistry) Midwestern State University; M. Div. and D. Min. Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary 

What is your wife's name?

Tashia (I married above myself.)

Do you have children or grandchildren?

Matthew and Annalise 

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Irving. My family moved here from Cincinnati, Ohio, when I was seven (but I consider myself a naturalized Texan). I graduated from MacArthur High School, but don’t hold that against me.

What are your hobbies?

I enjoy travel, book collecting, tennis, and whatever new things my kids are doing (RC cars, cup stacking, baseball, golf, guinea pigs, hamsters).

 

 

ron 2012Ron Kurtz, Associate Pastor

Contact Ron:


What is your favorite scripture?

1 Corinthians 15:57

Where and how did you accept Christ?

I accepted Christ at the age of 9 when our church was meeting in Fairview Elementary School in Dayton, Ohio

What do you want to communicate to the folks who are visiting the web site?

If you are looking for a place to grow in your personal relationship with Christ and build strong Christian friendships, Oak View is the place for you. 

What is your dream for your ministry?

To see 60% plus of our members actively serving through the ministries of Oak View and reaching out into our community. 

What is your educational background (School & Degree)?

Received my Bachelor of Science degree from Oklahoma Baptist University and my Masters of Religious Education degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. 

What is your wife's name?

Pam 

Do you have children or grandchildren?

Three children, two sons-in-law and three grandchildren. 

Where did you grow up?

Dayton, Ohio, and Lexington, Kentucky 

What are your hobbies?

Gardening and washing Pastor Jim’s car

 

 

 

alex 2012Alex Dennis, Minister to Students

Contact Alex:


What is your favorite scripture?

Acts 20:24

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.

Where and how did you accept Christ?

I accepted Christ at a youth summer camp going into my sixth grade year of school. 

What do you want to communicate to the folks who are visiting the web site?

Our Team of Leaders and I look forward to getting students and their families plugged into ministry and growing together to build the Kingdom.

What is your dream for your ministry?

My dream for this ministry is to build Godly students that grow in Christ and make an impact on theirs schools for Him. 

What is your educational background (School & Degree)?

I currently have an Associate of the Arts degree from East Field Community College and I am transferring  to a Bible College to continue my education in ministry. 

What is your wife's name?

Rachel Dennis 

Do you have children or grandchildren?

We do not have children (yet). 

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Forney, TX  

What are your hobbies?

My hobbies are working out and creating abstract artwork. 

 

 

  

roy 2012Roy Soto, Minister of Missions

Contact:


What is your favorite scripture? 

Galatians 2:20-21

Where and how did you accept Christ?

In Henry, Tenessee, during a "Seeker Service" event led by New Life Baptist Church that was held at the local Civic Center. That was 14 years ago.   

What is your dream for your ministry?

I would like to make a difference and impact the world by reaching more pople for Christ.  Reaching them through love, care and training them for God's Glory. This begins in our Jerusalem, through our Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth.         

What is your educational background (School & Degree)?

First semester of High School in Mexico. 

What is your wife's name?

Ana Maria Soto

Do you have children or grandchildren?

Children: Ana Christmas, Roy and Ashley.  Grandchildren: Simon (1 year) and Eden (4 weeks)

Where did you grow up?

Mexico and the USA

What are your hobbies?

Playing sports, reading and watching movies.

 

 

susan 2012Susan Svoboda, Preschool Minister

Contact Susan:


What is your favorite scripture?

"I can do all things though christ who strngthens me." Philippians 4:13

Where and how did you accept Christ?

I accepted Christ at age six at Second Baptist Chruch in Montgomery, AL. My Sunday School teacher, Mrs. Hickman, led me to Christ. 

What do you want to communicate to the folks who are visiting the web site?

Our preschool has some of the most wonderful, caring teachers who will provide the best care and a safe, loving environment for your child. We strive to provide a rich foundation for your child's early faith in Jesus. We use unique and fun teaching styles to present the gospel and the love of Jesus to your child. 

What is your dream for your ministry?

My dream is to reach out to our preschoolers and their families as well as families in our community and meet their needs, connecting them with the life-changing love of Christ. 

What is your educational background (School & Degree)?

My educational background is Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery, AL. I have attended numerous preschool and family seminars, workshops and training through the Baptist Association. 

Do you have children or grandchildren?

I have two children, Daniel who is 24. He is married and attended Texas State and Northlake College and is assistant manager at Starbucks. Julie is 21 and is attending UNT, majoring in Psychology an teaches in our preschool. 

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Montgomery, AL and moved to Texas in 1986. 

What are your hobbies?

Reading, singing and spending time with friends and family.

 

 

deborah 2012Deborah Thomas, Children's Minister

Contact Deborah:


What is your favorite scripture? 

My favorite passage is Psalm 23, verses Philippians 4:13, Proverbs 22:6 

Where and how did you accept Christ? 

Meadowbrook Baptist Church in Waco, Texas. I made my profession of faith on Mother's Day when I was 10 and was baptized by my father on Father's Day the same year. My brother and I made our decisions at the the same time. My Father was also my pastor. Being raised in a pastor's home we always had family bible study and so we often talked about inviting Jesus to be part of our life and our Savior, so my brother who is younger decided it was time to make his decision and I followed him that very same day. 

What do you want to communicate to the folks who are visiting the web site?

I am eager to meet each of the children and their families. I want us to work together to help their child grow in God's word and how to be the best Christian they can be. I will be available to help visit with children and families about becoming a Christian or help in other ways as needed.  

What is your dream for your ministry? 

My dream for my ministry is to reach as many of the children within the mile radius of Oak View as we can to get them actively involved in a church. I want our church to teach them how to be saved and what they need to know to share God's love with others. 

What is your educational background (School & Degree)?  

Masters Degree in Education and Leadership, Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, Arizona. B.S. in Elementary Education with a certification in Kindergarten, Dallas Baptist University, Dallas, Texas. MacArthur High School here in Irving. 

What is your spouse's name?

Michael 

Do you have children or grandchildren?

No, we have 2 nieces and 4 nephews 

Where did you grow up?

Waco, Texas until 1972 and then in Irving until now. 

What are your hobbies? 

I enjoy visiting with family and friends, collecting Precious Moments figurines, and scrapbooking

 

 

micheal 2012Micheal Fay, Campus Pastor, Briery Campus

 


What is your favorite scripture? 

My favorite Scripture is Romans 12:1-2.

Where and how did you accept Christ?

I accepted Christ at a Wednesday night youth Bible study at Oak View. The youth minister, Mark McBride led me to Christ.   

What is your dream for your ministry?

My dream for ministry is to pastor a church which consistently fulfills the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.         

What is your educational background (School & Degree)?

I have a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies from Texas A&M-Commerce.  Currently I am pursuing a Master of Divinity at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

What is your wife's name?

My wife's name is Sara Fay.

Do you have children or grandchildren?

I have three children: Elijah, Caleb, and Abigail.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in south Irving. I graduated from Nimitz High School.

What are your hobbies?

Reading good books, camping with my family, and playing with my kids.


 

Currently accepting applications for worship minister. Please e-mail resumes to .

 

 

Support Staff

 

linda 2012 

adelle 2012      lisa 2012       
Linda Jones

Financial/Pastoral Ministry Assistant

contact Linda:

Adelle Trogdon

Worship/Communications Ministry Assistant

contact Adelle:

Lisa Bishop

Education/Missions Ministry Assistant

contact Lisa:

 
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