Bentley Alexander grew up in Calvert City, Kentucky. He became a Christian in 1973. Bentley and his wife, Jennifer, attended Harding University and graduated from the University of Missouri-Rolla. Bentley has worked his entire professional career in the telecommunications industry and is currently employed by T-Mobile USA. Bentley and Jennifer have been married 24 years and have two children attending college. On serving as an elder, Bentley states "I'm both motivated by and humbled at the opportunity to encourage and support our McDermott Road members - both collectively and individually."
Vance Bryan was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas, but grew up in the Rio Grande Valley region of Texas. He became a Christian in 1968. Vance has spent his adult life working as a pathologist. Vance and Jennifer have been married for 32 years and have two grown children, Lisa and Steve. Vance states, “My greatest joy is experiencing how God provides the energy and desire to do the work that He wills for me to do as a shepherd. This is closely related to the joy of seeing God work through others as His will is accomplished in the church. And last, but not least, I enjoy experiencing the power of prayer and the word of God as they relate to the lives of members of the church.”
Jim Cassity grew up in northeastern Kentucky near the city of Morehead. He became a Christian in 1974. Now retired, Jim spent most of his career as an executive in the group health insurance business. Jim and Louise have been married for 32 years and have two grown children, Jason and Lisa. Jim expresses that his greatest joy as a shepherd comes from “doing anything that facilitates the spiritual growth of Christians and seeing how that growth changes lives and strengthens the body of Christ.”
Quentin Mimms grew up in the Texas panhandle town of Lazbuddie. He became a Christian in 1973. Quentin works as a litigation consultant with Tucker Alan, Inc., in Dallas. Quentin and Sally have been married for 21 years and have three children at home, Rachel, Kevin, and Sam. Reflecting on his service as an elder, Quentin states, “One joy of serving as a shepherd is developing close relationships with the deeply committed leaders of the congregation’s ministries. It is a pleasure to encourage and be encouraged to grow in our faith.”
Steve Strother was born in Duncan, Oklahoma and grew up all over the Southwest following his dad’s oil company career. Steve became a Christian in 1970 while living in Houston. He graduated from high school in San Antonio and went on to Texas A&M, earning a degree in Petroleum Engineering in 1984. While there, Steve was active in the Aggies For Christ program and met and married Ruth Ann. Steve and Ruth Ann have been married more than 25 years, and they have 3 children - Brandon, Patrick, and Alyson. Brandon was married to Tracey Allen in January, 2008. All four are currently pursuing college degrees. Steve is currently working for Koch-Glitsch LP and sells equipment to refineries and petrochemical plants. Steve says his greatest joy in the McDermott Road church family is “participating in the spiritual growth of our church family especially through our Bible classes, life groups, and prayer marathons.” He has especially enjoyed the opportunities to interact with the 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders in Bible Drama and the Single Professionals group.
Mike Willoughby grew up in Big Spring, Texas where he became a Christian in 1974. In 1979, Mike moved to Dallas with his family where he attended the Waterview Church of Christ in Richardson and graduated from high school in 1982. Mike graduated from Abilene Christian University where he married his wife Kristal in 1986. Mike and Kristal met in Sidney, Nebraska where both their grandfathers served as elders for the Sidney Church of Christ. They have three sons – Lyndon, Matthew and Jackson. Mike is currently employed by PFSweb, Inc. in Plano, Texas where he serves as President. Mike says his greatest joy as a shepherd comes from “meeting the spiritual needs of individual members of God’s family through individual and classroom scriptural instruction.” He also considers it “a great privilege to be able to go to God in prayer with the individual and collective needs of the church family knowing that our gracious God hears and responds to our prayers.”
