Pastor James and Shari Nickell

Bro. James Nickell came to us in 2015.  He and his beautiful wife, Shari, have been in ministry for over 30 years.  During that time, Bro. James has served as pastor of three churches in Texas (his home state) and as a church-planter and pastor in Canada (8 1/2 years) and New Mexico (6 1/2 years).  He is an AVID outdoor sportsman who loves hunting and fishing.  He and Shari have been married since 1985.  They have two children and two grandchildren.  His life verse is Matthew 6:33 "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you."  Bro. James holds degrees from Houston Baptist University and Southwestern Theological Seminary.  He has published his first book, "Soul-Food" (scriptural meditations for spiritual growth).

Duane and Shelly Davis, Worship Leaders

Duane grew up in a musical family, learning to read shape‑notes and teaching himself piano as a boy. His mother played piano for church, and his father and grandfather each led music in different Baptist churches, giving him a rich heritage of congregational worship. In high school he played trumpet and flugabone, and during his college years at Texas A&M he played keyboard in a country‑rock band and taught himself guitar. Over time he added banjo, ukulele, and bass to his skill set, and enjoys building instruments himself. Duane and Shelly performed for about a decade at the Gladewater Opry, and since coming to Christ in 1984 he has faithfully led and played music in several churches. Away from church, Duane has worked in IT since 1988 and currently serves as an Advanced IT Specialist with the City of Tyler, Texas.

Shelly, a longtime music educator, also grew up in a Baptist church and came to know Christ early in life. Her father served as a Baptist pastor, and she learned piano as a child, and started playing for church while still in elementary school. She played trumpet in high school and has operated her own piano studio since 1990, teaching hundreds of students of all ages. In addition to her studio, she has taught music for many years at Founders Classical Academy, Tyler, and Stepping Stone Schools. Shelly has played piano and led music in several churches, and has organized and directed many children’s choirs. She hosts the Piano Parent Podcast, a learning resource for piano students and their parents. Shelly is a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music through the Music Teachers National Association, a past president of the East Texas Music Teachers Association, and currently serves as President‑Elect of the Texas Music Teachers Association.

Duane and Shelly have been married since 1988, have four grown and musically accomplished children, and enjoy traveling and attending gospel, country, and bluegrass concerts together.