Elders

In the New Testament, men known as elders oversaw congregations of God’s people (Acts 14:23). 

Elders were also known as bishops, pastors, presbyters, overseers, and shepherds. 

Each elder is to be qualified for the work according to the criteria identified in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.  

The following men serve as elders in the University Church of Christ in San Marcos, TX.

  • David Harrell David Harrell and wife, Tina, have 2 grown daughters.  They met through the University church’s Campus Ministry at McCarty Student Center and have been married since 1993. David has served the University congregation as an elder since October 2014 and had served as a deacon from 2000-2014. David was born and raised in San Marcos and now owns and operates his one HVAC business there.  They enjoy traveling and foreign mission work.

    David Harrell

    David and his wife, Tina, have two grown daughters. They met through the Campus Ministry at McCarty Student Center and have been married since 1993. David has served the University congregation as an elder since October 2014 and had served as a deacon from 2000-2014. David was born and raised in San Marcos and now owns and operates his own HVAC business here.  They enjoy traveling and foreign mission work.

  • Carey Hooper

    Carey and his wife, Stacey, have one daughter, 2 sons, 2 daughters-in-law, and one grandson. Stacey works as a Medical Technologist at St. David’s Medical Center in South Austin. Carey has served the University congregation as an elder since June of 2010. Carey works in sales at Eastside Lumber and Decking in Austin, Texas. They make their home just outside the city of Kyle, Texas. They love spending time with family and friends and also enjoy having a good time with their 2 dogs and 2 cats.

  • Lon Howard

    Lon and his wife, Lana, moved to Central Texas in 2012, following retirement, to be closer to their kids and grandkids.  They have two sons, a daughter-in-law, and five grandchildren.  In March 2024, they celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary.

    They were both raised in West Texas, where Lon served as an elder at the Eisenhower congregation in Odessa for twelve years prior to their moving to Wimberley.  Lon worked in Oil and Gas for 45 years, the last 20 years in Safety and Health. Lana worked in Physical Therapy for 31 years.

    Lon became an elder at the University congregation in July 2021.  They enjoy spending time with family and friends.

  • Buddy Martin

    Buddy and his wife, Irmadean, have raised four children and have 10 grandchildren.  He received a B.S. in Biology from Texas State University and later spent a year of intensive training in Personal Evangelism. He then earned a Master of Education in Counseling from the University of Massachusetts.  He holds certification from the State of Texas as a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC).

    Over the last 45 years, Buddy has had experience as an employee in industry, a Personal Evangelism Director for congregations in New York and Ohio; a Pulpit Preacher for congregations in Massachusetts and Texas; a cult exit-counselor; a family counselor in several situations; a self-employed woodworker; and an education, program, and facility director for a correctional facility prior to his retirement.  When not otherwise employed, his interests center around family, woodworking, and enjoying God’s creation through hunting and fishing.

  • Andrew O'Banon

    Andrew and his wife, Jana, have raised a daughter and a son, and have added a son-in-law to their family.  Andrew grew up in San Marcos and Jana grew up mostly in the Buda, TX, area.  They met at a McCarty Student Center college retreat and have been married since 1997.  Andrew served as a deacon beginning in 2004 and was appointed as an elder in 2022.  Andrew spent about 25 years working in the building materials industry.  He and Jana now own and operate their own home inspection business.  They enjoy working with the church, being involved with the continuing work at the McCarty Student Center and serving at Peach Valley AIM Camp each summer.  Andrew’s hobbies include fishing, welding & metal fabrication, and cooking BBQ for events.

  • Jon Warnes

    Jon and his wife, Laura, 

Deacons

  

  • Jeff Barnett

    Area of Service - Education and Technology


  • Gunner Brown

    Areas of Service - Children's Education, Youth Work, Building & Grounds


  • Jason Carroll

    Areas of Service - Missionaries, Community Outreach


  • Orrin Deaver

    Areas of Service - technology, building & grounds


  • Dwayne Duggins

    Area of Service - Building & Grounds


  • Paul McReynolds, II

    Area of Service - Technology


  • Roland Merz

    Area of Service - 


  • Jon Mottu

    Area of Service - University Family


  • Barry Niemuth

    Area of Service - Community Outreach


  • Jimmy Nunley

    Area of Service - University Family


  • Chris Serrano

    Area of Service - 


  • David Underwood

    Area of Service - University Family


  • Cody Welty

    Area of Service - Campus Work