| John McCracken, Senior Minister
Favorite Quote: “Whenever I find myself in the cellar of affliction, I always look about for the wine.” Samuel Rutherford, Presbyterian theologian, 1600-1661
Family: When I was in seminary in the 1990’s, I met a young woman at church and quickly fell in love. Mindy has been my incredible wife since 2000. Mindy taught Biology and Latin at The Covenant School in Dallas until we began having kids. God has graced us with four children: Christopher (5), Sarah (4), Hannah (23 mo.) and Mary Grace (5 mo). Christopher is the brains, Sarah is the boss, Hannah is the beauty and Mary Grace is the happy one with the enormous cheeks!
Education: I received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Baylor University in 1992. (Given the fact that I still can’t balance a checkbook, some have called it an honorary degree!) After four years of study, I also received in 1999 a Master of Divinity from Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia.
My Hope and Vision for Trinity: My prayer is that Trinity will grow more in three vital areas: worship, community and mission. Worship is loving God well. Community is loving one another well and growing in our discipleship. And mission is our heart of compassion for Plano, Collin County and the world. “Loving God-Loving others” is what it’s all about. The Gospel of grace is the power that makes these things possible in our lives.
Favorite Things: Forests, hills, lakes, parks and mountains. Cold weather. I also love the institution of the U.S. Presidency and all things associated with it. Eating out with friends, grilling and movies are up there too.
Favorite Reads: Anything by David McCoullough, especially “Mornings on Horseback” and “John Adams”. “Team of Rivals” by Doris Kearns Goodwin and “The Last Lion” by William Manchester. Of course, anything by St. Augustine, John Calvin, John Owen, Jonathan Edwards, and Herman Bavinck. Some favorite modern Christian authors are Sinclair Ferguson, Tim Keller and John Stott.
Little Known Fact About Me: I procrastinate, and one of these days I’m going to do something about it. Also, I think exclamation points are way overused!!!
|
Patrick Poteet, Associate Minister, Youth & Family Pastor
Favorite Quote: "The final aim of life is placed beyond life." Alexis de Tocqueville (In Ages of Faith)
Family: Kristen is my wonderful wife since November 1994. The Lord has blessed us with six awesome children, Olivia, Micaiah, Iain, Mia, Silas and Aliyah. Some say we have a fun home!
Education: I have a bachelor's in Bible, Bible Teaching and Youth Ministry from Columbia International University. I grduated with a Master of Divinity in 2002 from Reformed Theological Seminary (Charlotte).
Favorite Things: Time with family, hiking, camping, and reading. My kids would say I like to watch too much football – I do like the game.
Favorite Reads: The Daily Reading Bibles by Matthias Media; Anything by Os Guinness; The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis (my favorite but anything by him as well), and In the Name of Jesus by Henri Nouwen.
Little known fact about me: I like western, fantasy and science fiction novels. I was a big Star trek Next Generation follower while it was in syndication. No, I have never been to a convention, nor would I dress up like a Klingon!
|
Michael Wichlan, Assistant Pastor, Outreach & Assimilation
Favorite Bible Verse: Philippians 3:8a “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”
Favorite Movies: Gladiator, Princess Bride, Saving Private Ryan, Braveheart, Chronicles of Narnia, Band of Brothers (HBO miniseries), The Court Jester, The Matrix, Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Bourne trilogy, The Dark Knight , and Bedknobs and Broomsticks.
Favorite Music: U2, The Fray, The Eagles, Josh Groban, Celtic Woman, Kenny G, Indelible Grace
Favorite Movie Quote: From the Princess Bride when Vizzini duels Westley to the death in a battle of wits – “You fell victim to one of the classic blunders! The first is never get involved in a land war in Asia. The second, only slightly less well known, is this: never go up against a Sicilian when death is on the line! Ha ha ha ha ha ha –” (Vizzini stops abruptly and falls over dead)
Favorite Theologian Quote: “Our hearts are restless until they find rest in thee.” – St. Augustine
Family: I have been married to my bride Denise for over 17 years and I love her more today than when we were first married. We have known each other for the greater part of 25 years going back to when we were friends in high school. We are blessed to have two beautiful teenage (13 year olds) girls – Maddie and Baylee. They keep me on my toes. This explains why I am cleaning my shotgun so much lately.
Education: I received a Bachelor of Science degree in Transportation and Logistics from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Yes, I do bleed orange and the real UT is in Tennessee! I received a Master of Divinity in 2008 from Covenant Theological Seminary, St. Louis.
My Hope and Vision for Trinity: By God’s grace, my prayer is that we as a body of believers at Trinity would fall deeper in love with Jesus Christ, one another and the community around us. I pray that Trinity would be a church that serves and cares for the surrounding communities as it lives out the Good News of the Gospel in both word and deed. I pray that each member would engage his/her God-given passion in order to further Christ’s Kingdom.
Favorite Things: Spending time with my family, food, movies, music, reading, grilling out, having friends over and meeting new people. I also love March Madness, Dr. Pepper, popcorn, game nights, anything with black beans, the St. Louis Cardinals, Tennessee football, and God’s creation – mountains, rivers, trees, fall colors, snow and the spring.
Favorite Reads: The Heart of a Servant Leader by C. John Miller; Humility: True Greatness by C. J. Mahaney; The Heart of Evangelism by Jerram Barrs and the Sunday morning Comics. I also love anything by Francis Schaeffer, John Stott, Tim Keller and John Piper.
Little Known Fact About Me: I have been known to vanish simultaneously when Elvis appears!!!
|
|
Dave Leeman, Director of Music & Worship
Family: I met a beautiful girl named Barbara in college and we were married a long time ago (December 1970) and she’s even more beautiful today! She is also a musician and teaches music at Providence Christian School of Texas. We have four grown children (three sons and a daughter) and five grandchildren with more on the way! We have the privilege of having Barbara’s mother, Helga Newbould, living with us.
Education and Experience: B.M. in Music Education from Biola University; M.A. in choral conducting from California State University, Fullerton. My greatest education has been from 34 years as full-time worship pastor/music director in churches in Covina, CA, Eugene, OR, Winnetka, IL, and Dallas, TX. I retired from full-time ministry in 2002 to begin a career in insurance and investment sales, accepting a part-time church position at Trinity Presbyterian in 2004.
Favorite Things: Going to concerts with Barbara, being a member of the Dallas Symphony Chorus, reading, growing roses, barbecuing, traveling.
Favorite Reads: “Future Grace,” John Piper; “Engaging with God,” David Peterson; “A Royal Waste of Time,” Marva Dawn; any biography by Irving Stone.
Favorite Foods: Avocados, any BBQ, artichokes, & English toffee
Little Known Fact About Me: I was raised in the Ozark hills of Missouri by a country pastor, and drank goat’s milk until I was 10 years old.
Favorite Quote: “We aim for perfection, knowing we will never achieve it. But in so doing, we will achieve excellence.” Vince Lombardi
|
Bill Cobb, Church Business Administrator
Family: Married to my high school sweetheart, Caye, for 49 years. We have 2 children: our son, Gary, who resides in east Texas, and our daughter Christy, who resides with her Lord in Heaven. We have 2 grandchildren that we don’t see enough.
Favorite things: Making sawdust. With several hundred dollars worth of fine wood, and thousands invested in saws and other tools, I can make you a bookshelf that you’d probably have to pay $29-39 dollars for at Walmart! I also like to read and my best escape author is W.E.B. Griffin. I really enjoy the fellowship of others in golf and other projects and activities.
Experience: My professional background is in training and development, having retired from Ga. Pacific in the role of Manager of Training and Development in 2006. I focused mainly in team and personal development.
My favorite Bible verse: “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…” 1 Peter 3:15
Favorite Foods: Chocolate!
|