Wildwood is blessed to have great men and women of God leading our church family. Our staff are servant leaders who don't just serve, but also equip us to serve others. Our deacons are the lead servants of the church as they work alongside the staff to minister to our church family.
Leadership
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Rick became the senior pastor of Wildwood in the summer of 2014. He and his wife, Amy, have been married since 2000 and they have two children, Chayton and Ella.
He grew up in Pittsburg, TX, where he gradated from high school. He was saved when He was 18 years old during a revival at Welcome Home Baptist Church in Winnsboro, Tx. He was called to the ministry the following year.
He loves spending time with his family and enjoys woodworking and restoration projects. His favorite sports teams are the Texas Longhorns and Dallas Cowboys. He is a nerd of the highest order and is a fan of Star Wars, Star Trek, and most science fiction movies/TV series. His favorite Bible verse is 1 Tim. 4:12, “Let no one despise your youth; instead, you should be an example to the believers in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.” This verse is a reminder that every believer, regardless of age, can have a positive impact on the world and the Kingdom of God.
His education includes a Bachelor of Science in Religion, Master of Divinity in Christian Leadership, and Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Counseling.
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Mark has been in ministry locally for approximately 20 years, serving as a Senior Pastor, Recovery minister and Chairman of a foreign missions board. He became a member of Wildwood in March of 2016 and has served as a Life Group leader, bass player in the praise band, and currently leads the Refuge Recovery Ministry.
Mark was reborn and came to know Jesus as his Lord and Savior when he was 21 years old while trying to score a date with Lori, his wife of 32 years. Stipulation for the date was that he attend church with her, thus beginning an adventure that continues to the current day and includes four children and seven grandchildren.
Mark has served the country as a United States Marine, has been a Police Officer in Mississippi, and has attended College both in Mississippi and in Texas at Dallas Baptist University.
His favorite Book of the Bible is Philippians because Paul is a prisoner in chains while writing the book, yet it is filled with encouragement, joy, and rejoicing. Philippians also contains his favorite verse which is Philippians 4: 6-7 which is a daily prescription for peace and was instrumental in helping Mark find complete deliverance from addiction by the Grace of God.
Ministry is Mark’s passion and he describes himself as a “light junky”. He loves so see the “light come on in someone’s life” when they truly discover the powerful healing truth and freedom that is found only in a relationship with Christ.
Mark is a voracious reader of all things and is currently studying the Highland Bagpipes as another way to give back by playing funerals and weddings.
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Jared and his wife Charlotte came to Wildwood in January 2018. They have been married since 2011 and are investing their lives in the community. Jared grew up in Mesquite, graduating from North Mesquite High School, before moving to Mississippi to get a Bachelor's Degree in Pastoral Ministry at Wesley College.
Jared views his calling in ministry as “more of a lifestyle than an occupation.” After graduating college, he volunteered in various ministries such as youth pastor, media team member, pastoral support, and children's ministry team member. Since becoming a member of Wildwood, Jared co-founded the Life Group 36:26, and one of his goals is to better understand how the Bible is a unified story that leads to Jesus.
Currently, he teaches Science at Berry Middle School in Mesquite ISD, and has been an educator since 2015. He enjoys spending time with his wife and dogs, going on road-trips, and being creative.
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Jonathan began serving as the Worship Minister at Wildwood in 2011. He and his wife, Laura, were married in September 2013. They have three daughters, Mary Claire, Lillian Grace and Eden Elizabeth
Jonathan's full-time gig is at Dallas Theological Seminary were he has worked as the Associate Director for Media Production since 2007.
Jonathan is a native Texan who grew up in Houston. Before coming to Wildwood he worked with youth and college students as well as having served in different churches and ministries as a worship leader in Texas and in Tennessee.
Jonathan's education includes a Bachelors degree in Audio Production from Middle Tennessee State University and a Masters degree in Media Arts from Dallas Theological Seminary.
Jonathan's main hobby is "tinkering"
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Lisa has been a member of Wildwood since 1990. In February 2003, God opened the awesome opportunity for her to serve Him as Administrative Assistant.
God has blessed her with a wonderful and supportive husband, David, along with two fantastic kids, Lyndsey and Aaron.
"It is a great blessing to be a small part of what God is doing through this ministry." - Lisa
