Mark Montgomery

Mark is an awesome pastor! He is one of the newest ministers to the Southwest Texas Conference and is in just his first year of appointment at Grace United Methodist Church in Corpus Christi. Mark graduted from Duke Divinity School and loves attending the Blue Devils basketball games in Cameron Indoor Stadium!

Mark is from San Antonio, formerly a member of NW Hills UMC and for the past few summers served as a ministry intern at University UMC.

He brings an enthusiam for life, a love for God, and a spirit of 'God Is' to all he does. Mark will be a blessing to those Jr. High students lucky enough to attend his Midwinter.

Speaker at Midwinter 6, Jr. High

Brian McCormack
Website/(blog): Brianmccormack.wordpress.com 

Brian McCormack is an honors graduate of Northwest University, was recently accepted at Fuller Theological Seminary, and is currently completing The Centurions Program, a year-long intensive committed to engaging culture with a biblical worldview.  He was pursuing a professional basketball career when he felt a call to full-time ministry, and now serves as a youth pastor for Rebelbase Ministries in his hometown of The Woodlands, Texas, where he lives with his wife, Emilie. 

Speaker at Midwinter 3, Jr. High

 Ray Altman

Ray is another brand new minister to the Southwest Texas Conference. A recent graduate of Union Theological Seminary in New York City, Ray has returned to his home conference and serves as the Associate Pastor at the First United Methodist Church in Kerrville where he preaches weekly at the contemporary service.

Ray is a highly gifted communicator. After speaking at the SWTC MY Mission during the summer of 08, many were deeply impressed by his spiritual depth and his love and compassion for God's people. Ray has a great sense of humor, a sensitivity to God spirit, and throws a mean frisbee!

He will be a great addition to Midwinters and a blessing for all who attend.

Speaker at Midwinter 4, Sr. High

 Ryan Barnett

www.uchurch.tv

Ryan is the Teaching Pastor for University Praise, the contemporary services at University United Methodist Church in San Antonio. He is in his 4th year of appointment and has seen tremendous growth come as a result of his ministry at UUMC.

Ryan has been an integral part of the Southwest Texas Conference youth camps for the last seven years. He speaks at summer camps, Midwinter Retreats, and Youth Choir Rallies. Ryan is also the chair of the Conference Council on Youth Ministry and has a deep passion for reaching youth for Christ. Ryan is not only a dynamic speaker but also a “prophet who speaks with spiritual authority.” Pastor Ryan is a graduate of The University of Texas and Asbury Theological Seminary.

Speaker at Midwinter 2, Jr. High & at Midwinter 5, Sr. High

Tonya Burton

The Reverend Tonya Y. Burton is the Director of the Perkins Youth School of Theology, a theological program for high school juniors and seniors within the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.  At Perkins, she oversees the administrative operations and strategic planning for this theological program for high school youth.  She is a graduate of Austin Peay State University and Vanderbilt Divinity School, where she earned a Master’s of Divinity degree with an emphasis in Christian Education. 

Tonya believes strongly in giving back to the community and is active with several local and national organizations.  Her memberships include the Urban League of Greater Dallas area Young Professionals, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc and the National Black Women’s Health Project.  She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Faith and Philanthropy Institute, a nonprofit organization committed to equipping leaders, churches and faith-based organizations with the knowledge and practical tools necessary to reach beyond their walls to rebuild community.  In addition, she serves on the Board of Directors for Project Transformation, a nonprofit, Christian organization that provides ministry exploration and leadership development opportunities to college-aged young adults, and community oriented programs for children and youth living in low-income neighborhoods of North Texas.  

Tonya is an ordained minister in the Baptist church, conference speaker, ministry consultant, diversity awareness and conflict resolution trainer, pastoral care specialist, poet, writer and personal organizer.

Speaker at Midwinter 1, Sr. High

  Andrew Threlkeld Band

Andrew Threlkeld is a new and young worship leader who for the past several years have helped lead youth worship at University United Methodist Church in San Antonio. He is currently attending Texas A&M University in College Station. 

This past year, Andrew has led worship for several Southwest Texas Conference youth events as well as a number of assorted youth rallys and retreats.

Andrew has an incredible talent and a heart for worship. He is an up-and-coming worship leaders who loves God deeply and conveys that in every aspect of his life.

Worship Band at Midwinter 1 and 4, both Sr. High

  Progeny

Progeny has become a familiar face at Southwest Texas Conference events. Having played at Youth Choir Rally and then Summer Camp, Progeny is a welcomed addition to the rich worship tradition of conference youth ministry.

Progeny is led by husband and wife team, Rachel and Ben, and accompanied by Barrett on Drums and Sean on electric guitar and bass.

Rachel and Ben live in San Antonio and attend Riverside Community Church. They are blessed with a beautiful baby boy, Jayden, with one more on the way!

Worship Band at Midwinter 6, Jr. High

  Mark Swayze Band

Mark Swayze is the worship leader at University United Methodist Church in San Antonio where he plays each week before 1000 people. Before coming to UUMC, Mark attended Baylor University and led worship for youth and college students at the First United Methodist Church in Waco.

Mark has been a key part of bringing about revival and a deep sense of worship over the past five years to the Southwest Texas Conference youth camps and retreats. God continues to speak to him and give him original songs in which to lead the youth of the SWTC in worship. Mark has the gift to bring those who worship with him, into the “immediate presence of the Holy Spirit." Mark is married to Missie and they have one beautiful daughter named Lauren.

Worship Band at Midwinter 2, Jr. High and Midwinter 5 Sr. High

  Zach Hendricks

Zach is a brand new addition to Midwinters. He is a worship leader at the Woodlands UMC in Houston where he has served for several years. Zach works closely with Brian McCormick, Midwinter speaker and youth director at the Woodlands.

Read more about Zach from his website http://www.zachhendricks.net/ and learn more about his gifts, journey, and even download his latest album from iTunes.

Zach will be a blessing to our team and we look forward to having him join us for Midwinters 09.

Worship Band at Midwinter 3, Jr. High