David began his pastorate at The Avenue Church in May of 1990. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from East Texas Baptist University in 1985, and Master of Divinity (Biblical Languages) from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1989. David has also served as the Associate Pastor of Youth at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Ennis, TX, and the Youth Minister at Emmanuel Baptist Church in White Oak, TX (where he was ordained to the ministry in 1987) and Friendship Baptist Church in Palestine, TX. He married Dawn in 1982, and they have five children: Mandie, Misty, Chase, Cole, and Malachi; and three grandchildren, Chance, Brooks and Macon Harper. He also has a daughter in-law, Ellen Brown as well as two sons in-law Kody Harper and Bonham Hough.
Jason joined the staff at The Avenue in September 2009. Jason graduated from Howard Payne University (1997) with a BA with an emphasis in Student Ministry and received his Master of Arts from Southwestern Seminary in 2000. Prior to joining The Avenue, Jason served as the Youth Pastor at FBC Prosper for 5 years before helping start a student missions organization called NEXT Worldwide in 2005 along with his wife Jennifer and 2 friends. Jason and Jennifer were married in May of 2003 and are the proud parents of Julia (born 01/04/06) and Johnathan (born 02/04/08).
Joel began his worship ministry in 1996 after graduating from Southern Methodist University in Dallas. He and his twin brother, Mark, founded the Christian band Forty Days. The band was signed to Provident Music Group in 2000 and toured America with Third Day, Mercy Me, Audio Adrenaline, Michael W. Smith and others. In 2004 Joel was called to the local church and became a worship leader at Lakepointe Church in Rockwall, TX. There he was ordained and called by God to begin a worship/local missions ministry called AWAKEN. Through AWAKEN, 20 churches (including AWAKEN Church London) are modeling what it means to worship God by serving the community. Joel married Courtney in 2000, and they have a son, Judah.
Alan has been in ministry for over 33 years. He has served in various positions in churches in Texas and Arkansas. He also served as President of the Texas Baptist Home from 2000 to 2004. He has a BA degree in Biblical studies and business. He and his wife Suzie have been married for 33 years. They have three wonderful children - April, Chad (wife-Julie), and Brandon. They are also blessed with two grandchildren, Laiken, and Ava (AJ). Alan is extremely proud to be a part of The Avenue family and is excited about what God is doing.
Melissa has been on staff for over 20 years! She will always be right in the middle of the lives of children. She has served with many child care facilities in Tennessee and served with First Baptist Church Jackson, Tennessee directing their afterschool program before joining The Avenue in 1991. Since that time, she has had the privilege to work with families and watch the children of The Avenue accept Christ as their Savior. Under her ministry, the number of children in our present ministry is more than 4 times what the total church attendance was in 1990! Melissa married Brian Lance in 1998 and together they have four adult sons, Jeff, Micah, Eric, and Jared.
Traci joined the staff at The Avenue in January 2012. She graduated with a Bachelor of General Studies in Human Development and Family Life from The University of Kansas in May 2003. Traci has been a member at The Avenue Church since December 2005 and has been involved in multiple ministries over the years. She loves children and has a passionate vision to give preschoolers infinite opportunites to learn about who God is and how much He loves us. Traci met her husband and best friend, Patrick, in 2003 and they married in May 2005. Traci and Patrick have been blessed with two fun and silly kiddos, Aiden (born March 2006) and Gracyn (born February 2009).
Zach joined the staff at The Avenue in May 2011. He graduated from Ouchita Baptist University with a BA in Business Administration in 2009. After graduation, Zach and his wife, Ashley, spent five months in Santiago, Chile serving with the International Mission Board. It was during this time that Zach began to feel God's call into ministry on his life. Upon returning from Chile, he spent a year and a half working in the restaurant industry. During this time, Zach began working towards a Master of Divinity at B. H. Carroll Theological Institute which he will finish in 2013. It was also during this time that Zach and Ashley moved to Waxahachie and became a part of The Avenue. Through God's perfect plan, Zach had the opportunity to become a part of the staff at The Avenue in May 2011. He sees God's hand moving in this church and cannot wait to see what the future holds.
Angie joined the Avenue staff in May of 2011. She began her worship ministry while studying at East Texas Baptist University, leading at a weekly student gathering called "Timeout", as well as traveling to camps and retreats throughout her college career. After graduating from college in 2007, she began working for Women of Faith, traveling across the country to promote events. Although she enjoyed her time at Women of Faith, Angie knew she had been called to full time music ministry. In 2009, she began leading worship at Lake Pointe Church where she met Joel Warren (Worship Pastor at the Avenue) and became a part of AWAKEN. Angie married her high school sweetheart, Dustin, in 2010 and they are so excited to be involved in what God is doing at the Avenue.
Chase joined our staff in August 2011. He has attended The Avenue since he was 18 months old, when his dad became Pastor. Chase accepted his call to ministry while on a mission trip to Africa. He has earned a Bachelor of Arts from University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in 2011. He is currently studying at Truett Seminary at Baylor University for a Master of Divinity. Chase has been active in Missions throughout his time in college serving as a Summer Missionary. He married Ellen in August of 2011. Both Ellen and Chase are excited about the future and what God is doing at The Avenue.
Mark joined the staff at The Avenue in January 2012. He graduated from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in 2011 with a BA in Christian Studies. While at UMHB he was involved with the Baptist Student Ministry and other local ministries. Throughout the past few years he has made mission trips to South America, Haiti, and Hawaii. He went with a group from The Avenue to Honduras in March 2010. Mark is currently seeking a Masters of Divinity with a focus on Missions and World Christianity from Truett Seminary. He is excited about being at The Avenue Church and working with the students here. He looks forward to what God has planned for the people this church reaches.
