Ross Strader is the senior pastor of Bethel Bible Church. Before graduating from Dallas Theological Seminary (Th.M., 2003), he was a Marriage and Family Therapist (M.A., 1996) and on staff with Young Life. The Strader family came to Bethel in 2006, after three years pastoring a church in Wichita, Kansas. An occasional golfer and full-time receiver of his son’s footballs and baseballs in the backyard, Ross can often be found behind his beloved Mac. His wife, Leslie, is a mom and freelance writer, and his children are Maggie, 10, Jay, 7 and little Katherine is 2, and never likes to see her daddy without a baseball hat. 

John provides leadership in the areas of Small Groups (Fellowship Groups, Sunday School, Bible Studies) at Bethel Bible Church. John spent 31 years as a pilot for Delta Airlines. His passion is discipleship and mentoring.

Jim has been with Bethel since 1998. His education and experience include Advanced Studies at Moody Bible Institute, a Master of Divinity degree from Grace Theological Seminary, a Masters degree in Biblical Counseling under Dr. Larry Crabb, and nine years as outreach and education pastor in New Orleans. Prior to full-time ministry, Jim earned a Masters in Chemical Engineering from Rice University and served in this capacity for Exxon Chemical Company.

As Pastor of Ministries and Mission, Jim has two primary roles: to lead Bethel into strong, redemptive outreach to both the local and global communities; and, to equip and mobilize believers to use their God-given gifts for ministry inside and outside the church.

Mark serves as the Pastor of Student Ministries at Bethel Bible Church (began August 2007). His desire is to walk alongside students in hopes that they will engage with Jesus as a person by trusting him, and because of relationship with Christ they will live out the virtues He taught. Mark has been serving in Student Ministry for about 10 years. His education includes Kilgore College, University of North Texas, and Dallas Theological Seminary. Mark graduated from DTS in May of 2003 with a Master of Arts in Christian Education focusing on Family and Student ministry. Before entering into full-time ministry, Mark was a public accountant in Henderson, Texas, and a public school teacher, Henderson Middle School. Mark has been married to his high school sweet heart Marla for 13 years and they have one daughter, Kylee.

Cay Bolin is one of the Directors of Children’s Ministry focusing on preschool children. She began working with children as a counselor at Pine Cove and this is her second stint ministering to the children of Bethel. This position brings her full-circle having become a Christian during her childhood in Sunday school at Grace Bible Church in Dallas.

She thrives on finding ways to make the ordinary extraordinary. She has been active in her daughter Haley’s education serving in PTA leadership at Owens, Hubbard and Lee and participating in Mom’s in Touch for almost 20 years. She and her husband, Dan, have been married over 30 years,

She is a graduate of Baylor University and is a registered nurse. She enjoys quilting, entertaining, antiquing, traveling, and a decaf, non-fat, sugar-free, French vanilla (why bother) latte.

Donna Ridenour is one of the three children's directors, with her main responsibility as the director of the children's drama, music and worship team called "reel to real". This weekly 90 minute production is an opportunity for kindergarten thru 5th grade to experience the application of God's word in their lives and to learn the joy of worship. Donna has worked with all ages from preschool to high school and is the mom of four adult children--Jonathan 28, Jeff 26, and Jenny 24- all married; and Jeremy 20 who attends UT Austin. She has three amazing miniature dachshunds, and has been happily married to Lee for 32 years, a practicing physician in Tyler. She graduated from the University of Texas school of nursing in Austin, and has worked in a pediatric practice and as a school nurse in TISD. She loves kids, tries to know every kid in her ministry, and according to her husband, is definitely a drama queen!!

 

Paula Myers is the third member of the Children’s Ministry Team. She and her husband, Matt, have been members of Bethel for 23 years – off and on. This is the third time that the oil business has located their family in Tyler and they certainly hope it is permanent this time. Paula and Matt have been married 25 years and have three children who all consider Bethel their church home. Mitchell is attending the US Military Preparatory School currently and plans to attend West Point in the fall of 2008. Emma is a student at Dallas Baptist University and Peter is a senior at RE Lee and an active member of Bethel’s Student Ministry. Paula has a BS Ed for the University of Texas and loves serving Bethel’s elementary kids and teachers in The Gallery.

I am Carole Hodges. I serve as the Director of Bethel's Ministry to Women. Women's ministry is very dear to me because I accepted Christ as my Savior at a women's event over 16 years ago. Ask me about it sometime.My husband ,son and I live in Bullard. For the last 12 years I have home schooled our son.Before that I was a public school teacher and counselor.I am amazed how God has used my love for Him and the skills he has given me in teaching and counseling. God has delighted me with life adventures that I could not have dreamed up.I look forward to seeing the plan He has for me unfold...