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Meet The Team

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Office: 512-282-7274 ext. 329
E-Mail: pastorpaul@manchacaumc.org

REV. PAUL HARRIS

Senior Pastor

Paul serves as our Lead Pastor. As an itinerant minister and Elder in the Rio Texas Annual Conference, Paul is appointed to serve on an annual basis by the resident bishop, Robert Schnase. Paul enjoys encouraging new disciples, providing resources for spiritual formation, and bridge-building with relationships in seasons of transition. And Paul enjoys camping. Wilderness backpacking has yielded to his current form - RV traveler. Paul loves to preach and is currently blessed to share the regular preaching responsibilities with staff, retired ministers, and some guest speakers. As expressed along the border where Paul grew up, three priorities guide Paul's rule of life: faith, family, and fiesta... sometimes in different orders depending upon the season. Along the Way with Pastor Paul is a featured weekly journal note found here on this website.

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Cell: 817-559-4040
E-Mail: chansin@manchacaumc.org

CHANSIN ESPARZA

Associate Pastor

Chansin serves as our Associate Pastor. She has a background in pastoral leadership, connection ministry, youth ministry, journalism, and managing a nonprofit office. She completed a Bachelors in Biblical Studies at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn. in 2008 and a Master of Divinity degree from Truett Seminary at Baylor in 2013. Some of her favorite things about church are small group discussions, celebrating holidays and milestones together, digging deep into Scripture, and having a family with whom to journey the ups and downs of life. She juggles the demands of full-time ministry, marriage, and parenting three small children. As full as life can be, Chansin always loves making new friends.

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Office: 512-282-7274 ext. 325
E-Mail: mark@manchacaumc.org

MARK HIXON

Director of Music & Fine Arts

Mark is an avid supporter of the arts. As the Director of Music and Fine Arts at MUMC he oversees all music, theater and art activities. Mark co-directs the Children's Choir and directs the Sanctuary Choir.  Mark also manages the church calendar and scheduling of the building and facilities. In addition, Mark is one of the staff representatives for the Worship and Fine Arts Team. Mark has two grown children, Seth and Leah. Mark currently serves as an officer for the Rio Texas Conference Chapter of the Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts.

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Office: 512-282-7274 ext.324
E-Mail: kim@manchacaumc.org

KIM CARROLL

Director of Christian Education

Kim has been a member of Manchaca UMC since 2001, joined the church staff as Director of Children's Ministries in 2009, and transitioned into the role of Director of Christian Education in 2013.  She is passionate about Bible study and enjoys teaching people of all ages about the love of God through Jesus Christ. She is an avid reader, loves to laugh, and enjoys spending time with her family: her husband Bruce, daughter Kendall, and sweet puppy Gracie.

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Office: 512-280-2552
E-Mail: leighanne@manchacaumc.org

LEIGH ANNE MOORE

Child Development Center Director

Leigh Anne has been with the CDC since 2001. She received her degree in Applied Learning and Development from the University of Texas at Austin. She is also certified in Early Childhood Education and English as a Second Language. She taught for ten years in public school before beginning at the CDC.

Leigh Anne believes that children need a loving and nurturing environment in which they are able to explore learning through a hands on approach.  She has two sons who both started in the nursery at the CDC and graduated from the program.

Leigh Anne is active in her church, Manchaca UMC, where she serves as part of the Hays Praise Emmaus community. She enjoys sports such as running, basketball and football. Her greatest joy is spending time with her parents and her fur babies, Kiya and Max. 

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Office: 512-282-7274 ext. 328
E-Mail: busadmin@manchacaumc.org

DAVE BOURELL

Treasurer

Dave Bourell is a professor emeritus of engineering at The University of Texas.  He’s thrilled to use his love of numbers to serve the church as Treasurer.  He loves Tex Mex, BBQ, traveling, and playing electric bass in the contemporary service band. He’s also a pioneer of 3D printing.  Check out https://www.me.utexas.edu/people/faculty-directory/bourell.

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KENDALL CARROLL

Communications Specialist

Kendall has been a life-long member of MUMC since her parents first joined right around when she was born. Throughout the years she's been volunteering and participating in a variety of ways. After graduating from the University of North Texas in December 2022, she has returned to do the newsletter, website, and other communication needs. Otherwise, she loves to read, play video games, and spend time with her family. In fact, if you don't see her in the nursery on Sunday mornings, you'll likely find her following and helping her mom, Kim.

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THAD NOLAND

Pianist/Organist

Thad plays the piano and organ at our traditional worship services. He is actually a professional keyboardist and saxophonist and teaches piano lessons. He has sent shivers down many spines when playing in church. The applause is well deserved!

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JEN ROMERO

Worship Leader for Contemporary Worship

Jen has been a member of MUMC for almost 20 years, and has been singing in the Such As These praise band for almost as long. What started as “singing with the band” evolved over the years into planning songs, leading worship and even writing worship songs with her sons. The majority of the Such As These band have been singing and playing together for at least 18 of those years. It has been an amazing journey and she has loved every minute of it! Wednesday night rehearsals are “music therapy” and Sunday worship a balm to her soul. 

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DANNY GUARDIOLA

Head Custodian

Danny is our go-to guy for just about any issue we come across. He keeps the building clean and will volunteer to help with almost everything, except electrical issues...he leaves that to the experts. Friendly and likeable, he can do a mean air guitar and an Elvis impression, if you ask him to.

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