{"id":25273,"date":"2018-12-18T05:53:46","date_gmt":"2018-12-18T11:53:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/staging.nwhillsumc.org\/contact-me\/"},"modified":"2026-02-04T10:46:43","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T16:46:43","slug":"meet-the-staff","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/nw.vidconf.net\/?page_id=25273","title":{"rendered":"Staff"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Meet Our Staff<\/h1>
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Senior Pastor<\/span>

Reverend J.J. Wicke<\/h3><\/div>

J.J. grew up in Beeville, Texas and graduated from A.C. Jones High School in 2000. He then attended the University of Texas- Pan American and earned a degree in Biology. While at college he felt God\u2019s call to be in full-time ordained ministry. After graduating from UTPA, he began working as a youth minister at First United Methodist Church in Elgin, Texas. While working, he attended school at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary where he graduated in 2009 with a Masters of Divinity degree.  He was ordained an Elder in 2013.   J.J. has served in churches in Elgin, Falfurrias, Weslaco, and Harlingen.  

J.J. loves serving God, the church, and mission field. He looks for creative ways to be the church in the community while partnering with local non-profit organizations.  

J.J. married Amy on June 30, 2012, in Austin.  J.J. and Amy have two sons, Benjamin and Levi.  

J.J. looks forward to serving Northwest Hills UMC.  We know that God has been present for many years in the work that has been accomplished and can\u2019t wait to see what the future holds as we pray and seek God\u2019s will for this church and mission field. We look forward to growing with you on our journey of faith. <\/p>

<\/path><\/svg>Email Pastor J.J.<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Reverend Dr. Ray Kiser<\/h3><\/div>

Ray is a retired elder in the Rio Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church, serving part-time with Northwest Hills UMC, where he formerly served as Senior Pastor from 1988 to 1997.  He studied for Christian ministry at Duke University and Yale Divinity School and earned a Ph.D. in Theology and Personality at the Claremont School of Theology.  He and his wife Stacy live in Lakeway, and they have three young adult children: Christopher, Sarah, and Grace.<\/p>

<\/path><\/svg>Email Pastor Ray<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Office Manager<\/span>

Sharon Clark<\/h3><\/div>

Originally from Corpus Christi, Sharon has lived in Austin for 11 years and absolutely loves it — especially the array of concerts and events, fun swimming holes, amazing food, and yes, even the summers! She has two amazing daughters, ages 14 and 11, who keep her on he toes and will be heading to McCallum High School and Lamar Middle School in the Fall of 2025.

Before joining Northwest Hills UMC, Sharon worked in a mix of areas, including events, social media, marketing, and sales. She has a bit of an obsession with house plants and interior design, and can never resist a good thrift find.<\/p>

<\/path><\/svg>Email Sharon<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Business Manager<\/span>

Michelle McMinn<\/h3><\/div>

Michelle grew up in the Austin area and received a Master of Science in Accounting at Texas A&M.  Michelle is a CPA and has a diverse work background, but recently her work has been in church accounting because she loves using her gifts to serve the church.  The United Methodist Church and mission are dear to her as she is a lifelong Methodist and a clergy spouse.  Her husband, David, serves as the Director of the Texas Wesley, and they enjoy serving together along with their two young daughters, Sophie and Amelia.<\/p>

<\/path><\/svg>Email Michelle<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Director of Youth and Digital Ministries<\/span>

Tyler Steele<\/h3><\/div>

Tyler, a native of the Texas Hill Country, graduated from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree in May of 2022.  While earning his undergraduate degree in Social Work, Tyler had the blessing and privilege to serve as the Youth Director at Gruene UMC in New Braunfels, Texas, before continuing to work with youth in school social work and residential foster care settings.   He and his wife, Mandy, share their home with three beautiful boys: their dog, Mulligan, their cat, Jack, and their son, Luca, who was born in October of 2023.  He enjoys reading fantasy novels and spending time outdoors. Tyler is a devout Christian and a non-practicing Dallas Mavericks fan.<\/p>

<\/path><\/svg>Email Tyler<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Director of Children’s Ministries<\/span>

Heather Taylor<\/h3><\/div>

Two of the greatest joys in Heather\u2019s life have been raising her two kids with her husband, Hal, and being a part of the congregation at Northwest Hills United Methodist Church. Regularly participating in the many children\u2019s and youth activities and events over the years at Northwest Hills has filled their lives with tremendous joy. She is a former 8th-grade science teacher and professional ballet dancer, and she used her experience to start a dance ministry at Northwest Hills many years ago. She is excited to be serving as the Children\u2019s Ministry Director. Heather loves sharing the good news of Jesus with children, as well as meeting new families and sharing with them all that Northwest Hills has to offer.<\/p>

<\/path><\/svg>Email Heather<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Director of My Friend’s House<\/span>

Tia Botello<\/h3><\/div>

Working with young children and their families has been Tia’s passion for over 13 years, and she is truly honored to serve as the Director of My Friend’s House at such a caring and connected community.

Throughout her career, Tia has loved creating environments where children feel safe, supported, and inspired to learn through play. She believes that early childhood education is most powerful when it feels like a partnership where teachers and families work closely together to help each child grow, explore, and discover who they are. Before joining My Friend’s House, Tia founded and directed a preschool program that grew to serve over 100 children.

When she is not at work, Tia spends her time having fun with her loving husband and their 5 children.<\/p>

<\/path><\/svg>Email Tia<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Assistant Director of My Friend’s House<\/span>

LaShaundra Campbell<\/h3><\/div>

LaShaundra Campbell was born and raised in East Texas in a little city called Tyler, known as the Rose City. She came to Austin for new and better opportunities. LaShaundra has no children or pets, her favorite color is red, and her hobbies include reading, DIY crafts, and hanging out with her family and friends. She holds an Associate Degree in Child Development and a Bachelor of Science in Business. She loves watching the excitement on children’s faces when they learn new things.<\/p>

<\/path><\/svg>Email LaShaundra<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Contemporary Worship Leader<\/span>

Jordan Burchill<\/h3><\/div>

Jordan Burchill is the contemporary worship leader at Northwest Hills. He grew up leading worship in his hometown of Fort Worth, Texas, and has been a worship leader and full-time musician for the past 12 years. Jordan earned a bachelor’s degree in jazz guitar at the University of North Texas and is also a gifted singer-songwriter. He has won numerous awards for his songwriting, and one of his songs was recently featured in an Academy Award-winning film. When he\u2019s not serving his church family at Northwest Hills, you can find him performing with his wife as their duo Beth \/\/ James, playing locally in Austin, and touring the country.<\/p>

<\/path><\/svg>Email Jordan<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Traditional Service Worship Leader<\/span>

David Suarez<\/h3><\/div>

David Garcia Suarez grew up in neighboring Kyle, TX where he began his music studies at the age of 15 with classical piano lessons. Since then he has studied and performed different genres of music from Mariachi to sacred Choral music to RnB, leading to his earning of a Bachelor’s degree in music from Northwestern University. Outside of music, David enjoys spending time with his cat, enjoying the nature around Austin, and catching the latest NBA game.<\/em>
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<\/path><\/svg>Email David<\/span><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Pianist and Organist<\/span>

Donald Brower<\/h3><\/div>

Donald is honored to be a part of the Northwest Hills United Methodist Church family.

Before joining Northwest Hills UMC, Donald assisted at the First Christian Church in Artesia, NM, First United Methodist Church in Lubbock, TX, and most recently at St. Mark United Methodist Church in Austin, TX.

Looking back, Donald cherishes many musical memories, but especially touring England and Scotland with the chancel choir of FUMC Lubbock, traveling across Europe with America\u2019s Youth in Concert, and performing at Carnegie Hall in New York, Wesley\u2019s Chapel in London, and Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. 

Donald spends way too much time reading, playing with (annoying) his cat, and watching sports with friends.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Church Custodian<\/span>

Ronnie Hawkins<\/h3><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Joyful Noise Praise Band<\/h2>
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Bassist<\/span>

Mike St. Clair<\/h3><\/div>
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Drummer<\/span>

Jimmy Milner<\/h3><\/div>
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Jimmy Milner is a drummer from Montana. He loves hiking, camping and puppies. <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n

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