Leadership Team
Our leadership team meets weekly to pray and re-think a better way the church can be more relevant. People are tired of an irrelevant church and we are striving to find the solution. Meet our team.
John Van Pay - Lead Pastor
John grew up in the San Antonio area and graduated from Clemens High School. He lived a few years in New England where he became part of the Red Sox nation, but is also a huge Longhorns fan. He met his wife at Southwestern University and went to graduate school in Houston. They have three children, Hannah Grace, Emma, and Bryce.
After fourteen years in student ministry, John had a God moment during spring break in Galveston and the desire to plant a healthy church in Helotes was born.
John enjoys riding with local tri athletes, but the recent finish of Ironman Lake Placid and a steady diet of Red Bull isn't enough to hang on most of their wheels. His favorite hobby is playing kickball with his kids.
Contact John | John's Blog | Follow on Twitter
Stephanie Van Pay - Wee Kidz & Kidz Corner Director
Steph is a wonderful mom and her passion is kids. One of her greatest moments in life was serving as the kids pastor of Evangel Temple in Wichita Falls, Texas. She loves running and hanging out with other moms. Steph loves watching chick flick movies while eating Sour Patch kids.
Angela Blonsky - Director of Volunteers & Assimilation
Growing up as a PK coupled with a degree in Management Information Systems has given this busy mom the passion and preparation for the helps ministry in the church. She has a heart for getting people connected and believes every person matters to God.
Angela has lived in the Helotes area for the past 7 years with her husband Jeff who serves as a physician in the Air Force. They were married in 1999 and have 3 beautiful children. She loves date nights with her husband, playing with her kids and deep tissue massages.
Chris Campbell - Worship Leader
Chris and Mandy have been leading worship together since 1998 when they met in a church band in Kerrville, TX. Chris teaches math at Warren High School and Mandy teaches music at St. Mary's Hall. They have two children, Ruth and Ian. In their spare time, Chris and Mandy, as well as Mandy's twin, Maggie and her husband, Jon play in the band December's End which Mandy and Maggie founded while still in college. Chris and Mandy also lead a Fellowship Team at their house on Thursday nights.
Trish Hansen - Financial Assistant
Growing up, Trish always excelled in math and science. Following after her father, this natural talent merged with business and computers. After graduating HS, she used those skills in the USAF as a Civil Engineer. Now, Trish has earned her Baccalaureate degree in HR Management and owns her own small business. Her unique and diverse background has given her the mental preparation for this position while her faith and love for others leads the way.
While in the AF, Trish met and married her husband James. They have been married 13 years and are expecting their first child in February 2011. Her hobbies include bargain shopping, swimming, bbq's with friends, rock climbing, television sitcoms, and OU football.
Seth & Lacey Henderson - Student Pastors
While calling a small town in Arkansas home, Seth decided to pack his bags and move to Texas to attend Southwestern University. In 2005 Seth married his high school sweetheart Lacey and a year later graduated from school.
After living in Dallas the past 6 years, Seth and Lacey moved to Helotes to join the Gateway family. As Student Pastor, Seth's passion is helping students develop an interactive relationship with God, find real connections with others, and engage their school through serving and involvement.
When you can't find Seth wearing himself out with his OCD side, you may find him catching a Razorback game or scores on ESPN, working his geek side troubleshooting some computer, or reading a good book at Starbucks with his favorite drink in hand... a mocha frapucinno, no whip.
Contact Seth & Lacey | Seth's Blog | Follow on Twitter
Johnny & Amy Hauck - Chi Alpha College Pastors & Worship Leader
Johnny and Amy met in their college days at Sam Houston State University back in 2001. Both gave their hearts to Jesus as a part of a campus ministry there and experienced discipleship for the first time. After watching this transform their own lives and those around them, they became convinced that discipleship was Jesus' method to reach mankind! After serving on staff with Chi Alpha in Huntsville for 6 years, they decided to give their lives to reach college students in San Antonio as full time missionaries.They pioneered the UTSA chapter of Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship in 2008--a national organization that takes its name from II Corinthians 5:20 which says we are Christ's Ambassadors. They are passionate about discipleship and their home is a revolving door of college students.
In 2009 they welcomed their daughter Haven into the world and are having the time of their lives being parents! Johnny can also be found reading a good book, riding bmx, camping with college students, or basically anything outdoors with adventure involved--often with his trusty sidekick, Dr. Pepper, in hand. Amy loves the outdoors as well, enjoys a good cup of coffee, playing her guitar, and is pursuing a Masters Degree in English at UTSA.
Contact Johnny & Amy | XA Website | Follow on Twitter
James & Beverly Rios - Kids Pastor
James has worked for the San Antonio Fire Department for 11 years, but his greatest passion is instilling a deep love for Jesus in the lives of children. With God providing the opportunities and his Children’s pastor placing a deep and burning passion to reach children, he has been involved in some area of Children’s ministry for the past 20 years. James has grown up in San Antonio and now he enjoys life with his beautiful bride Beverly and his 5 awesome children (Brielle, Bayley, Bethani, Brooklyn, and finally Andrew). With Beverly partnering with James in this ministry they have devoted their lives to making a child’s time with God the most impacting time of their week.
James enjoys life by spending it with family and friends, sharing time with his new son Andrew, all sports (Texas teams), the outdoors, jumping on bouncers, cartoons and a great comedy. Beverly enjoys going on dates with James, hanging out with friends, meeting new people, and having “girls’ night” with her daughters.
Contact James & Beverly | James' Blog
Mike & Stacy Van Cleve - Fellowship Teams Pastors
Mike, Stacy, and their son Joshua moved from Arkansas because they felt God was calling them to the ministry. They also welcomed a new baby, Katelyn, into the family in September 2008. They have a true love for the King and are passionate about seeing families grow closer in Christ and in relationship with one another. They are huge Arkansas Razorback fans and believe that Christ followers can have fun while serving Him. Mike and Stacy have led several different ministries over the last few years including Financial freedom seminars and small groups.
Mikel is currently attending Liberty University and Stacy is a graduate of Liberty. Mike currently works at USAA in Finance while Stacy is a stay at home mom. Mike is definitely the nerd of the family with everything having its place and Stacy is much more laid back and free spirited. Together they make quite a pair and really just enjoy hanging out together as much as possible.
Randy & Kathryn Van Pay - Care Pastors
After several years in pastoral ministry, Randy’s focus is on making a difference by meeting the needs of the Helotes community. He graduated with his masters from Southwestern where he met his wife. He loves surprising her by going on creative dates every Friday night. Randy enjoys grilling, golf, and watching the Green Bay Packers.
After several years in ministry, Kathryn graduated Southwestern University with a Masters in Counseling and recently became board certified. She serves as a chaplain at United Methodist Hospital. She loves shopping at the La Cantara shops and spending time with her grand kids. She is an excellent listener and has the right thing to say when people are in crisis.
Drew Witt - Creative Arts/Worship Pastor
Art and innovation have been Drew's passion from an early age. Fused with his father’s love of technology: still and motion graphics, internet, and music eventually became a natural fit. Growing up in Wichita Falls, TX, Drew met his wife Shari in the church they both attended. He graduated from Master’s Commission after three years where he studied and became a Reverend. He doesn't like "typical" anything and is always (trying) to think from a different angle. He is responsible for the Sunday Morning Experience, worship, media, and most church wide communication.
He enjoys Dr. Pepper, Apple products, and really good musicians such as John Mayer, Mute Math, U2, and Coldplay.
