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| 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.
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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.
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| 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 4th – 12th 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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