Village Parkway Baptist Church

Senior Pastor

Dr. Ryan Carpenter

Pastor Ryan has served churches and ministries for over twenty years in the Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, and Victoria areas. After completing his degree in Mathematics at Texas A&M University, Pastor Ryan enrolled in the Master of Divinity program at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. In 2021, he completed his Doctor of Ministry at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary specializing in church revitalization.

Pastor Ryan’s passion is for the church, and church revitalization is the process of helping churches renew their mission, discover their vision, and strategically focus on implementing their passion. He has learned that this process must be guided by the Holy Spirit and bathed in prayer.

One of the greatest blessings Ryan received during his time at Southwestern was meeting his wife of 19 years, Carrie. Carrie is also a seminary graduate, holding a Master of Communications from Southwestern, and they have served together in ministry their entire married life. They pray daily for God to bless their family and their friends and are thankful for God’s provision in their life.

Pastor Ryan is thankful for your prayers as he prays for you and with you as we seek God’s purposes together.

Ministerial Staff

Associate Pastor of Youth

Nathan D. Thomas - nthomas@vpbc.net

Nate Thomas joined the Village staff in September 2017. He graduated from Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC in 2005. He received his Masters in Christian Apologetics. He has been in ministry for over 13 years as youth pastor, assistant, and senior pastor.

During his time in ministry he has published 5 Christian living books and is currently working on book 3 of a youth biblical fiction series. Nate has been married to Kari for 14 years and they have 6 children that participate in various programs within the church. His hobbies are cheering for OU Sooners football, writing, and reading.

Associate Pastor of Music

Rob Karns - rkarns@vpbc.net

Rob has been the Minister of Music since June 2016. Having received a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Performance from the University of Wyoming in 1984, and a Master of Music degree in Music Theory from the University of Houston in 1986, he entered the Army’s music program as a staff music arranger and instrumentalist. Finishing his military music career in the Air Force, he retired from military service in 2014. Rob has been an adjunct faculty member at two universities, a 4^th – 12^th grade band director, an arts administrator, professional saxophonist, private music teacher, and associate music minister in several churches.

Rob was raised in a strong Christian family where he “accepted Christ” and was baptized at the age of 6. It wasn’t until 15 years later, during a music tour in Hawaii that he became serious about his faith and realized the implications of his decision to follow Christ. Rob’s call to ministry wasn’t very dramatic, he sort of fell into it and realized that that’s where he was meant to be.

Rob’s wife, Ann, a professional musician as well, forever brightened his life by marrying him in 1988. Their son, William, is currently studying at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. Rob enjoys chess, hiking, gardening with his wife, and playing jazz.

Children and Media Ministries

Ed Garza - eddie@vpbc.net

Ed and his wife Ruthie became members of the Village family in early 2013. They began volunteering in Children's Ministry that summer. God called Ed to lead the children's ministry and he joined the Village staff officially in May 2019.

While working as a real estate agent and volunteering at Village, Ed enrolled in Bible College and earned a Bachelor of Ministry degree in 2019. He is currently working to complete a Master of Ministry Studies degree with a concentration in Technology.

Ed's goal as children's director is to help children develop a firm foundation in the Word of God, come to the Lord for salvation, and follow Christ in service and in love.

Mother's Day Out


	Mother's Day Out Director Becky Sparrow - bsparrow@vpbc.net Becky came on staff as MDO Director in August 2013 after teaching in the program. Becky has served in various capacities at Village Parkway and is excited about her new role in the MDO ministry. Becky is married to Todd, who sings in our Praise Band. They have four children: Jake, Addie, Cooper and Corinne.

Office Staff

Pastoral Administrative Assistant

Pennie Buntrock - pbuntrock@vpbc.net

Pennie has been the Pastoral Secretary since February 2013. She is a native of Washington state and the youngest of three girls. Prior to moving to San Antonio in 2011, she worked as the Ministry Assistant of Education/Senior Adults at Hillcrest Baptist Church in Enterprise, Alabama.

Pennie came to faith in Jesus Christ on January 1, 1995. She enjoys working on staff at Village and when not in the office. Pennie regularly serves in ministries and events throughout the year.

Pennie married her husband, Roger, in 1996 and they have two beautiful daughters, Samantha and Allison, and a cute dog named Gypsy. Pennie likes the outdoors, spending time with family and friends, and doing crafts.

Church Administrative Assistant

Melissa DeMouy- melissad@vpbc.net

Melissa joined the Village team in February 2018. She and her husband Rich first attended Village Parkway from 2010-2012 when they were stationed at Lackland AFB. In 2017, after 25 years of service, Rich and Melissa retired home to San Antonio and officially became members of the church and became very active in church ministry. Outside of administrative duties, Melissa sings in the choir and assists with Senior Adults.

Melissa hales from Port Lavaca, TX, “GO SANDCRABS!” She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Communication from Texas State University in 1992 and married Rich in 1993. They have two wonderful children, Abby and Justin.

Financial Administrator

Gina Short - gshort@vpbc.net

Gina has been working here at VPBC since 1997. Although she was originally hired on as a part-time bookkeeper for the school, when she was offered the full-time position as bookkeeper for the church, school, and Mother's Day Out, she accepted. She has been the bookkeeper for these ministries since 2000.

Gina came to the Lord in 1987 and was baptized here at VPBC alongside her husband. She has taught many Bible study classes in the years since then in children’s, youth and adult ministries. In 2007 she began what would become yearly mission trips to Honduras. She has been blessed to administrate these many mission trips and has seen the Lord work in Honduras through this ministry.

Gina married her husband Kyle in 1986 and they have two grown daughters both of whom live in Texas. She enjoys spending time with her husband, hiking, swimming, sewing, making jewelry and reading.

Financial Administrator Assistant

Shannon Fragozo - shannon@vpbc.net

Shannon has been working as the Financial Administrator Assistant since January 2022. Prior to that she worked for the Mother's Day Out program at VPBC as the Director's Assistant for 14 years. Shannon has been a member of Village Parkway Baptist Church since 1994. Growing up in a military family she has lived in several different countries around the world but settled in San Antonio in 1993 when her father retired from the Air Force.

Shannon met her husband Daniel while attending UTSA in 1995 and they were married in 1999 here at Village Parkway Baptist Church. Together they have 5 children; Aidan, Marin, Caileigh, Ainsley and Declan, who keep them busy in activities at church and with their school and sports activities.

Support Staff


	Custodian Eddie Ray Rodriguez Eddie Ray joined the Village Staff in 2021. His work and support make an incalculable contribution to all the ministries and events at Village.