.jpg)
I was born on July 8, 1957 in Denver, Colorado. I graduated from Northglenn High School in 1975, and the United States Air Force Academy in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. Three days later, I married my childhood sweetheart, Jackie. We spent the next eight years in the Air Force where I was a T-38 Instructor Pilot, and an F-4 Fighter Pilot. We lived in Arizona, New Mexico, Florida, Iceland, California, and Alabama. Our son, Keith was born in 1981, and our daughter, Katie, came along in 1983.
In 1987 I left the Air Force, joined American Airlines, and moved to Texas. My free time was spent with my wife and children, and serving the United Methodist Church. In June 1993, I accepted an appointment to serve as Pastor of the Ponder UMC. I was honored to serve a loving and affectionate congregation who accepted a novice Pastor with many, many flaws. I remained at Ponder until June 2000 when the Lord led me to the Denton Country Prison. I spent the next seven years leading a weekly worship service for the inmates of pods 1 and 5. I took this time to complete a Masters in Biblical Studies.
In 2008 I left American Airlines and returned to Ponder UMC as the Senior Pastor. I am excited to be back, and look forward to all the Father has planned.
Evan Burke - Youth
I was born December 10, 1982 in Lake Charles, LA but got to Texas as fast as I could.. I grew up in Denton and lived there until going off to college. During my middle school years, I attended Ponder UMC and caused about about as much trouble there as possible. Eventually I finished high school, graduating from Liberty Christian School in 2001. I spent my first year thereafter in Cleburne, TX where I was a youth intern for Cleburne Bible Church. It was there that I began to realize God's calling on my life to serve youth in the church. I then went out West to Lubbock to pursue an English Literature degree, with a minor in Greek at Texas Tech University; I finished my bachelor's degree in 2006. Actively involved in my church in Lubbock, God continued to press my heart to seek working in ministry and serving in the church. After college, I moved to Louisville, KY to attend The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where I acquired a Master of Arts in Theological Studies, in 2008. After finishing school at Southern I finally moved back to Denton, having been away for about seven years.
In January of 2009, I began working with the Ponder Youth Ministry and have loved being a part of this wonderful church again.. The Lord has been doing a lot of great things in Ponder and this church community is focused on serving him and being led by his guidance. My hope for the youth of Ponder Methodist is that they hear and know the Gospel, and have their hearts and lives changed for the glory of God. I believe that God has big plans for these students and I hope that our time together can be a part of bringing them closer to what God has planned for them.
Some of my hobbies include: reading (a little nerdy I know), riding my motorcycle, and just about anything outdoors.
Tori Dickens - Y.O.T. (Youth Of Tomorrow)
I was born in January 14, 1970 in Rogers City, Michigan. I grew up in Bellevue, Michigan, which is not much bigger than Ponder. I left to attend Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. I liked it so much that I stayed until I met a Texan, Jeff Dickens. After marrying him, I moved to Texas in 1998. We bounced around a bit, living in Richardson, Burleson, and Glen Rose before finding Ponder in 2006. I am mother to three, Nicholas (1996), Katie (1998) and Jacob (2007) as well as step mom to teen aged Trevor.
After college I worked in retail management. In 2002, I found my true joy, working with children. I have been a Music and Movement teacher at a Early Education Christian School and a teacher at a Christian day care. I have also been a nursery worker, Sunday School teacher, Kids Bible Study Teacher and VBS volunteer at various churches through the years.
I grew up as a Methodist, until my dad, a high school principal and part time pastor, became a full time pastor for the United Church of Christ. After moving to Ponder, it was time to come home to my beginnings as a Methodist. When I received the call to become Ponder UMC Children's Minister, it was the answer to a prayer that I had not realized I was praying. I love working with children, enjoying their enthusiasm and finding things for them to enjoy. I pray that while I do this, I do it living as an example of His love.
Coming Soon Picture and Bio for Tiffany
Katie Bristow
Youth Sunday School
I was born on May 20th, 1983 at William’s Air Force Base near Phoenix, AZ. My dad was in the Air Force so we moved around a lot when I was little. We moved to Krum when I was five and I enjoyed growing up there. Upon graduating from Krum High School I began my undergraduate work at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. I graduated in May of 2005 with a BBA in Accounting. That summer I moved back home and worked as the Youth Pastor for this church with the goal of beginning a program that would reach the hearts of the youth in the community. In the fall I moved to Austin and attended the University of Texas to receive my Masters in Tax Accounting. I finished the program in August of 2006. Afterwards I moved back to Dallas, began working at Ernst & Young, and married my husband, Brett.
Ponder UMC has been my church home since I was ten, no matter where I was living. I have grown up with the love and support of this wonderful congregation and I hope to pass that legacy on.
Dr.Nancy DiMarco - Pianist and Adult Sunday School
I grew up in Boulder, CO and attended the University of Colorado (Go BUFFS!), and then Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa (Go Cyclones!) where I met my husband, Dennis. After completing my doctorate in nutritional physiology, I was a post-doctoral fellow at Ohio State University (Go Buckeyes!) in biochemistry in the medical school. My first job offer landed us in Denton at Texas Woman's University in the Nutrition and Food Sciences Department as a professor where I've been since 1982. In 2006, I also became the Director of the Institute for Women's Health.
I've played piano since I was 6 years old and continue to study piano with Anna Farish. I play on a 10 piano ensemble team and we annually play at Texas Music Teachers Association meetings held around the state. I have recently gotten my 11 year medal and I think I am the second oldest ensemble player in the state!
I've also served the Ponder United Methodist Church as lay speaker, adult Sunday school teacher, VBS director and teacher, choir director, and now pianist. PUMC is the most real church I've ever attended.
Hi Everyone! My name is Lee Works. My titles include, "Mom", "Mimi", and ( my favorite) "Jesus Freak" - Our generations terminolgy.
Although orininally from Virginia, I graduated from U.T. at Dallas, worked for the State of Texas in Psychiatric services. and after that worked part time for Denton Co. MHMR as a residential therapist.
"Retired" now, I'm busier than I have ever been in my life - working on a book on geriatrics and helping my daughter and son in law care for my munchkin granddaughters Alex and Jordan. It's with great anticipation I look forward to getting to know you and your families.
I was born in Austin, but spent much of my childhood in the Philippines and Japan. (My dad was a Navy JAG.) I went to Billy Ryan High in Denton, and graduated from Texas Woman’s University with a degree in history and politics. Since graduation, I’ve worked and volunteered at Ruth’s Room, the Habitat thrift store in Denton. I also volunteer for special projects at Evers Elementary School.
Since the winter of 2000, my parents and I have attended Ponder UMC. I love the people here and I appreciate the opportunity I’ve been given to work with their young children. It’s wonderful to see the kids’ enthusiasm for the stories of our faith and to watch as they grow. They are just such fun!