Ken and Jeanie Woolf
Lead Pastors
Pastor Ken and Jeanie Woolf have been married over 35 years and have been in ministry for over 25 years. They have two children, Staci and Justin, who are both graduates of Christ for the Nations Institute and are involved in the ministry with them. Pastor Ken believes his life purpose is to encourage people all over the world with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Ken has traveled to many countries, speaking and teaching in Bible schools and conducting pastoral and church leadership conferences. Ken is an ordained minister with the Fellowship of Ministers and Churches at Christ for the Nations Institute in Dallas, TX. Ken enjoys fishing and hunting. Jeanie enjoys reading and shopping. They both love the family of God and believe the local church is the hope of the world. Their personal mission is to bring hope, healing and health to a hurting world.
Staci Jester
Worship Pastor
Staci Jester has been leading worship since she was 11 years old and continues to walk faithfully in her calling today. She studied at Christ for the Nations School of Worship and completed a year-long worship internship in New Zealand, along with training under seasoned worship leaders. Staci is passionate about creating an atmosphere where people can encounter God’s presence and experience true freedom in worship.
Ken and Kathy Thomason
Stewardship Pastors
Ken and Kathy Thomason have been married for 39 years and have three sons, Tyler (wife Montana), Travis, and Timothy. They also have five grandchildren.
Ken attended Midwestern State University. He began his employment at Texoma Community Credit Union in 1986. He is a 2004 graduate of Leadership Wichita Falls and a 2009 graduate of Southwest CUNA Management School. Ken is the Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer at Texoma Community Credit Union where he oversees all lending and collections at TCCU.
Kathy worked in banking from 1980-1988. She became a stay-at-home mom and raised their three boys. She loves spending time with family, friends, and in God’s Word. Through implementing the steps taught in FPU’s classes, she has witnessed the benefits of the program in her family’s finances.
Ken has facilitated several Financial Peace University classes for TCCU employees and members. Ken and Kathy have facilitated many FPU classes for church groups. They look forward to helping others succeed in their own financial goals.
Ken attended Midwestern State University. He began his employment at Texoma Community Credit Union in 1986. He is a 2004 graduate of Leadership Wichita Falls and a 2009 graduate of Southwest CUNA Management School. Ken is the Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer at Texoma Community Credit Union where he oversees all lending and collections at TCCU.
Kathy worked in banking from 1980-1988. She became a stay-at-home mom and raised their three boys. She loves spending time with family, friends, and in God’s Word. Through implementing the steps taught in FPU’s classes, she has witnessed the benefits of the program in her family’s finances.
Ken has facilitated several Financial Peace University classes for TCCU employees and members. Ken and Kathy have facilitated many FPU classes for church groups. They look forward to helping others succeed in their own financial goals.
Darren and Melissa Ward
Pastors
Darren and Melissa Ward have been married for twenty-eight years and have served in ministry together for nearly three decades. They are the proud parents of three children—Christopher, Joshua, and Eliana—and share a deep passion for discipleship, serving the Body of Christ, and reaching the lost through both church and prison ministry.
Darren serves as a Chaplain with Hospice of Wichita Falls, a role he’s held for almost a decade. He is a graduate of Christ for the Nations Bible Institute with a focus on Leadership and Pastoral Ministries. Over the years, Darren has served as a Senior Pastor and in various other pastoral roles. He is excited to bring his heart for people to his current role as Serve Team Pastor at Encounter Church.
Melissa holds a Bachelor of Music from Midwestern State University. She currently serves as the Women’s Program Director at Faith Refuge’s New Beginnings Recovery Program, where her passion is to love, serve, and guide women toward freedom in Christ.
Together, Darren and Melissa are dedicated to loving people, making disciples, and leading others to the hope found in Jesus Christ
Darren serves as a Chaplain with Hospice of Wichita Falls, a role he’s held for almost a decade. He is a graduate of Christ for the Nations Bible Institute with a focus on Leadership and Pastoral Ministries. Over the years, Darren has served as a Senior Pastor and in various other pastoral roles. He is excited to bring his heart for people to his current role as Serve Team Pastor at Encounter Church.
Melissa holds a Bachelor of Music from Midwestern State University. She currently serves as the Women’s Program Director at Faith Refuge’s New Beginnings Recovery Program, where her passion is to love, serve, and guide women toward freedom in Christ.
Together, Darren and Melissa are dedicated to loving people, making disciples, and leading others to the hope found in Jesus Christ
Justin and Kayla Woolf
Encounter KIDS Pastors
Pastors Justin and Kayla Woolf serve as the Encounter KIDS pastors. Married since April 2019, they are proud parents to two energetic boys, Linkyn and Jacksyn.
Justin is a graduate of Christ for the Nations Institute and has served in ministry alongside his parents, Pastors Ken and Jeanie Woolf. He is an ordained minister with the Fellowship of Ministers and Churches through Christ for the Nations in Dallas, TX.
Kayla holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design and spent over 16 years in news media before joining the team at Encounter Church. She has been active in children’s ministry since 2000 and brings both creativity and experience to the role.
In addition to leading Encounter KIDS, Justin and Kayla also help lead The Adult Table, a ministry for adults ages 25–45+ that focuses on connection, community, and real-life faith.
Together, they have completed ChurchEd’s Kids Ministry Certification, and Kayla has also completed specialized training through the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment. Their passion is to help kids—and their families—encounter Jesus in real and lasting ways.
Justin is a graduate of Christ for the Nations Institute and has served in ministry alongside his parents, Pastors Ken and Jeanie Woolf. He is an ordained minister with the Fellowship of Ministers and Churches through Christ for the Nations in Dallas, TX.
Kayla holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design and spent over 16 years in news media before joining the team at Encounter Church. She has been active in children’s ministry since 2000 and brings both creativity and experience to the role.
In addition to leading Encounter KIDS, Justin and Kayla also help lead The Adult Table, a ministry for adults ages 25–45+ that focuses on connection, community, and real-life faith.
Together, they have completed ChurchEd’s Kids Ministry Certification, and Kayla has also completed specialized training through the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment. Their passion is to help kids—and their families—encounter Jesus in real and lasting ways.
Leaders
Anthony & Kristalina Schlumpf
Outreach Coordinators
Anthony and Kristalina Schlumpf are passionate leaders dedicated to serving the lost and forgotten in the Texoma region. As the pastors of Reach Texoma, they bring a heart for outreach and a commitment to making a tangible difference in their community.
Outside of ministry, they cherish quality time with family and friends, often gathering around the table to share a meal or enjoying a friendly game night. Their love for cooking shines through when they prepare Tex-Mex feasts, creating an atmosphere of warmth and hospitality.
Together, Anthony and Kristalina embody the spirit of service, compassion, and community, striving to make a lasting impact both in their church and in the lives of those they reach.
Outside of ministry, they cherish quality time with family and friends, often gathering around the table to share a meal or enjoying a friendly game night. Their love for cooking shines through when they prepare Tex-Mex feasts, creating an atmosphere of warmth and hospitality.
Together, Anthony and Kristalina embody the spirit of service, compassion, and community, striving to make a lasting impact both in their church and in the lives of those they reach.
Elder team
Encounter Church’s Elders are Jim Bober, JoAnn Grey, Stephen Bachman and Tony Woods.
Jim and Lynda Bober
Jim and Lynda have been apart of Encounter Church through various name changes since about 2001.
Jim has been a part of the elder leadership, prayer team and music ministry fore more than 20 years. Jim has worked in the construction business for 40 years in various capacities. Jim’s vision is to see our city more Kingdom minded and spread through our states and world.
Lynda has served in the children’s department, nursery and family meals over the years. She currently serves on the prayer team. They have been married since 1979 have 3 children and 11 grandchildren. They enjoy gardening, traveling and music! Lynda would like to see the Body of Christ walking in unity in Wichita Falls.
Jim has been a part of the elder leadership, prayer team and music ministry fore more than 20 years. Jim has worked in the construction business for 40 years in various capacities. Jim’s vision is to see our city more Kingdom minded and spread through our states and world.
Lynda has served in the children’s department, nursery and family meals over the years. She currently serves on the prayer team. They have been married since 1979 have 3 children and 11 grandchildren. They enjoy gardening, traveling and music! Lynda would like to see the Body of Christ walking in unity in Wichita Falls.
JoAnn Grey
JoAnn Grey has a heart for discipleship and a wealth of experience, both in leadership and in serving others.
Her work on the Elder leadership team, Women's Ministry team, and the Be One Make One Discipleship training program clearly reflects her passion for helping people grow in their faith and find their purpose in following Jesus Christ.
After serving the state of Texas for many years in employment and training, JoAnn finds it rewarding to now focus on guiding others in their spiritual journeys as they Encounter God, Experience Family and Expand the Kingdom.
JoAnn is Mom to three children: Matthew, Stephanie, and Whitney and 'Nini" to four grandchildren.
Her work on the Elder leadership team, Women's Ministry team, and the Be One Make One Discipleship training program clearly reflects her passion for helping people grow in their faith and find their purpose in following Jesus Christ.
After serving the state of Texas for many years in employment and training, JoAnn finds it rewarding to now focus on guiding others in their spiritual journeys as they Encounter God, Experience Family and Expand the Kingdom.
JoAnn is Mom to three children: Matthew, Stephanie, and Whitney and 'Nini" to four grandchildren.
Stephen and Deborah Bachman
Stephen and Deborah Bachman have been married since November 2020, and have served in Encounter church since 2017. They both serve on the Encounter prayer team together where they met.
Stephen has been an Equip group leader and facilitated Healing University. He attended Charis Bible College in Woodland Park, Colorado; 2009 – 2013, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies. He continued in 2014 pursuing a leadership program, finishing in 2017 at the Charis Bible College extension facility in Dallas, Texas.
Stephen has been self-employed as a general contractor/builder for 45 years. He also operated his own masonry business for 30 years. Stephen enjoys hiking and being outdoors.
Deborah is Community Editor and writes for the Clay County Leader newspaper in Henrietta. She has 15 years experience as an educator in public schools. They live in Henrietta and enjoy traveling together.
Stephen has a passion for healing and desires God’s people to know the power of healing through His word. Together Stephen and Deborah desire to see lost people saved through the power of God’s word, and hope restored to a hurting world through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Stephen has been an Equip group leader and facilitated Healing University. He attended Charis Bible College in Woodland Park, Colorado; 2009 – 2013, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies. He continued in 2014 pursuing a leadership program, finishing in 2017 at the Charis Bible College extension facility in Dallas, Texas.
Stephen has been self-employed as a general contractor/builder for 45 years. He also operated his own masonry business for 30 years. Stephen enjoys hiking and being outdoors.
Deborah is Community Editor and writes for the Clay County Leader newspaper in Henrietta. She has 15 years experience as an educator in public schools. They live in Henrietta and enjoy traveling together.
Stephen has a passion for healing and desires God’s people to know the power of healing through His word. Together Stephen and Deborah desire to see lost people saved through the power of God’s word, and hope restored to a hurting world through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Tony and Sandra Woods
Tony and Sandra Woods have been members of Encounter Church since it started in 1995 through various name changes.
Tony has worked with the audio team since 1995 and has been an elder for more than 20 years. Sandra is the nursery director and has been working in children’s ministry for more than 20 years. They have been married more more than 36 years and have four daughters who all serve at Encounter in various capacities.
Tony is retired from the State of Texas and now works as a plumber in Montague County. He enjoys hunting. His vision is to for people to experience a personal relationship with God that changes their lives forever.
Sandra works at Nocona General Hospital as the Health Information Manager. She enjoys family time and playing with their four grandchildren and shopping. Her vision is to see every child know Jesus at a young age.
Tony has worked with the audio team since 1995 and has been an elder for more than 20 years. Sandra is the nursery director and has been working in children’s ministry for more than 20 years. They have been married more more than 36 years and have four daughters who all serve at Encounter in various capacities.
Tony is retired from the State of Texas and now works as a plumber in Montague County. He enjoys hunting. His vision is to for people to experience a personal relationship with God that changes their lives forever.
Sandra works at Nocona General Hospital as the Health Information Manager. She enjoys family time and playing with their four grandchildren and shopping. Her vision is to see every child know Jesus at a young age.