Our Goal: To help exchange ideas, explore programming, consult God through prayer, and RE|CONNECT with the purposes of Christ to reach youth in the United Methodist Church for the glory of God.

Exchange. Explore online resources Exchange e-mail conversations. Its important to begin with an email and then phone conversation with a Southwest Texas Conference (SWTC) Youth Ministry Mentor: Select a mentor who is in your area or one you know who might be able to assist you with your question, problem, or issue. All these mentors bring their own unique gifts of skills and years of working with youth in the local church. Read the bio on which mentor might be the best suited for you.

To contact a SWTC Youth Minitry Mentor near you, please email one of the following:

Rusty lives in Marble Falls, and is married with two kids. He commutes to SWTC office in San Antonio, is an Ordained Elder and is serving in his 11th year in current his current position. Rusty has 17 years of youth ministry experience as well as an MDIV and DMIN from Asbury Seminary. His top 5 specialties include: Resourcing, connecting, visioning, planning and programming events/retreats. He also loves hanging out with his family, serving Christ and camp worship.

I have been serving as Director of Youth Ministry at Covenant UMC in Austin, TX since April 2007. I received my undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama (Roll Tide) in 1995 and my Masters in Christian Education from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, KY in 2002. I've been working in youth ministry since 1995. My areas of particular interest are in curriculum development, learning styles and spiritual formations. I love creating prayer stations and teaching. This January I will be going to Jamaica to teach a course in Christian Education at CaribbeanWesleyan College. My family lives along the Gulf Coast in Alabama and Florida. If you meet me, my accent will instantly let you know I was raised in Alabama.

Kathy Rios is a "cradle" Methodist and has been on Staff at Grace UMC in Corpus Christi since 1990. She has her Basic and Advanced certificates from Perkins School of Youth Ministry and has attended that training in Dallas ten times. She is in charge of 6th - 12th grade ministries for the church including, mission trips, Sunday School, Wed. night bible studies, Confirmation, the Pumpkin Patch and Youth Group on Sunday afternoons. She has served on the Board of Directors of Sea City Work Camp since 1993.

Serving others is a priority in the "Amazing Grace Youth Group" and Kathy and her Leadership Team go on two retreats a year to plan the week to week activities; as well as planning the next missiion trip or service project. Kathy has been a Lay Director for both the Walk to Emmaus and Girl's Chrysalis and loves serving in that arena. God continues to call this long time veteran of youth ministry into God's service and she accepts willingly with an open mind and heart; so that all she does be to the glory of our great God. Her Top 5 specialties include: Experience, love for youth and children, organization, teaching and reaching families.

Tim lives in Boerne and was just married last December (2009) to his wife Amanda. He is an ordained elder from the Southern Baptist working incognito as a youth pastor and is in his 6th year at his current position. Tim has 11 years of youth ministry experience as well as an MDIV from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. His top 5 specialties include: Leadership, Building Relationships with students and adults, Networking, Leading Teams and Music. He also loves good Star Wars references, corny jokes, Mohawk wagers, and a good steak………(grunt grunt grunt).

San Angelo District

Rev. Matt Pennington, Pastor, Bronte UMC, mattjpennington@gmail.com

Rev. Matt Pennington is currently serving as pastor of Bronte, United Methodist Church where he lives with his wife, Brooke and their two boys. Matt brings 10 years of youth ministry and camp ministry experience, and has a passion for training and developing leadership in the Church. Matt has served in leadership in the Texas Conference and the Southwest Texas Conferences, and with U.M. ARMY for 10 years. Matt will graduate in December 2010 with an MDiv from Asbury Theological Seminary. His top 5 specialties include: Leadership, Teaching/Coaching Leadership, Visioning, Resourcing, and Networking.

San Antonio District

Mary Anne Waldrip, Director of Student Ministries, Coker UMC, maryanne.waldrip@coker.org

Mary Anne lives in San Antonio with her husband Bill. She has three wonderful children that have all been married in a 18 month span. She has been on staff at Coker UMC since 1992. Her passion is serving youth and their families. She has led several Midwinters and taught classes at Perkins School of Youth Ministry and other conference leadership events. Under God's guidance she is in charge of 6th- college age ministries for the church. Along with an amazing staff and countless volunteers she organizes and helps lead small group Bible studies, Sunday School, weekly UMYF, Confirmation, mission trips, service projects and other youth events.

Mary Anne "Does what she loves and loves what she does." She has an open mind and heart and is always looking for ways to reach youth from all walks of life. Her Top 5 specialties include: Visioning, Planning and organizing mission trips and service projects, Confirmation, Small group ministry and listening to others.

Victoria District

Brandon Shook, Youth Director, FUMC Seguin, bshook@fumcseguin.com

Brandon Shook or just "Shook" has have been in Youth and College ministry for over 8yrs. He has been a part of the United Methodist Church his entire life, married to wife Krista for 3 years and has a beautiful little girl named Karsyn. Shook is currently the Youth Director for FUMC Seguin. His top 5 specialties include: Connecting, Visioning, Planning, Encouraging, Empathizing.He loves hunting, fishing, baseball, and hugging on his new baby girl.

*Suggested reimbursement for a Youth Ministry Mentor for a face to face meeting involves covering their mileage at the IRS volunteer rate of $.20 and offer to pay for lunch, dinner or coffee if meeting occurs during a meal time or at a coffee shop (i.e. Starbucks!)

Reachingyouth.org / Council on Youth Ministry - The Southwest Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church - Council on Youth Ministry, 16400 Huebner Road, San Antonio TX 78248 - 888.349.4191, 210.408.4538 (wk), 210.408.4553 (fax) / rhf143@gmail.com. For general information on the Southwest Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church, a list of our programs and ministries, please visit our annual conference site at www.umcswtx.org.