Rev. Steve Purdy, Senior Pastor
Hello everybody! I was born in Victoria, Texas, graduated from High School in Port Lavaca, and received a Bachelor of Science in Health Professions Management from Texas State University in 1978. I was a Registered Respiratory Therapist until becoming a student pastor in southern Indiana for three years. I graduated with a Master of Divinity Degree from Asbury Theological Seminary in 1987.
I have served as an Associate Pastor at Grace UMC, Corpus Christi, Pastor at La Vernia UMC, Senior Pastor at St. John’s UMC, Corpus Christi, and Senior Pastor at First UMC, Harlingen prior to my appointment in Seguin.
I was blessed to marry the former Vickie Eldridge of Corpus Christi in 1981. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Certified School Counselor. Her primary work setting has been in public school. She plays the guitar, sings, and enjoys theater and other creative arts.
We have two daughters:
- Alicia Carrizales who works in outside sales for a commercial printing company in the Corpus Christi area. She and her husband, Eddie, have blessed us with an amazing granddaughter, Sofia, who just turned two years old.
- Jennifer is a recent graduate of Texas A&M University where she double-majored in Creative Writing and Theatre Arts with a Business minor. As a University Undergraduate Research Fellow, her thesis deals with the decline of United Methodist Church membership. She plans to attend seminary and hopes to apply her research knowledge toward her future ministry.
My “free time” is spent reading, journaling, enjoying armchair sports and working around the house and yard. My hope is to fall in love with some creative venture – perhaps golf? One of my favorite classic contemporary (a bit of an oxymoron) Christian songs is Andre Crouch singing To God be the Glory.
Verse one says:
How can I say thanks for the things you have done for me
Things so undeserved yet you give to prove your love for me
The voices of a million angels cannot express my gratitude
All that I am or ever hope to be I owe it all to Thee
Rev. Ron Welborn, Associate Pastor
Ron joined the staff as an Associate Pastor in 2009. Previous appointments include FUMC, Cuero and FUMC, La Feria. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Texas and a Master of Arts degree from Texas A&M, Corpus Christi. He was commissioned as an Associate Member in 2006 having completed the Course of Study in ministry at Perkins School of Theology. Prior to entering the ministry he was a high school band director for 28 years. Ron and his wife Darlene have three children, five grandchildren and two dogs who keep their life interesting. Archery is a favorite pastime along with reading and just being outdoors.
Rev. Patricia Jentsch, Associate Pastor
Patricia is our Spiritual Growth and Prayer Ministry Pastor. She is a certified Christian Educator who completed the certification studies at Southern Methodist University's Perkins School of Theology. She also graduated from Texas Tech University (B.S. in Elementary Education), and Texas State University (Masters of Education in Reading education). Patricia is commissioned as a Deacon in Full Connection.
She leads “The Invitation,” a Taize inspired worship service which is held the first Wednesday of each month. Singles Ministry, creating additional worship services, leading small group studies and reaching out to the community in prayer activities are also her passions.