Department Staff

Rachel Poysky

Children's Ministries Director

Rachel Poysky is the Director of Children’s Ministries here at MDPC. She oversees the ministries for children birth through fifth grade. Rachel completed her undergraduate work at Furman University and has a Masters of Divinity through Fuller Theological Seminary. She became an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church in 2006. Rachel is married to James and they have two elementary aged children.

Lyndsey Dottavio

Elementary Director

Lyndsey Dottavio has served MDPC as Elementary Ministries Director since April 2012. In this role, Lyndsey coordinates and implements programs and events for The Galaxy and is honored to spend time with the elementary children and their families. Lyndsey completed her undergraduate education at Texas A&M University and her Masters in Counseling from Lamar University. Lyndsey committed her life to Christ during a mission trip to Chicago through MDPC’s Youth, and her faith was strengthened through her involvement in Young Life. Lyndsey is married to Aaron, and is currently on maternity leave.

Becky Funderburk

Preschool Ministries Director

By way of volunteering and an eldership here at MDPC, Becky Funderburk was invited to join the Children’s Ministry team in 2008 where she coordinates Sunday morning activities and special events for preschoolers, in addition to participating in Children’s Ministry programs and preschool weekday classes.  She shares the Preschool Ministry responsibilities with her good friend Karen Lopes.   While exploring the Bible in a fun and interactive way, Becky has the privilege of helping build the spiritual foundation of God’s littlest lambs.  Her greatest love is leading Preschoolers to Christ.  Her other loves are her husband David and their two children, who are members at MDPC and also serve in Children’s Ministry.

Karen Lopes

Special Needs Ministry Director / Preschool Ministries Director

Karen Lopes has a passion for serving children with different learning abilities. Karen has served MDPC as the Special Needs Ministry Director since 2008. In this role, she plans and implements programs and events for children with Special Needs and their families. In 2010, Karen also began to serve MDPC as the Preschool Ministries Co-Director. This position is responsible for coordinating and implementing the various parts of our preschool programs. Karen spends her evenings at the University of Houston where she is seeking a degree in Special Education. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family and running with her dogs.

Alicia Boykin

Children's Ministries Admin. Coordinator

Candice Alexander

CDI Director

Candice Alexander came to MDPC in 2007 as Director of the Children’s Day Inn program, which serves children age three months through three years, Monday through Friday.  Candice is a native Houstonian and a graduate of Texas A & M University and Texas Woman’s University.  After a lengthy career in healthcare, Candice became certified as a Director and has served in that role since 1995. She is married to Jerry and they have a son in college.

Ashley Mangham

CDI Assistant Director

Naomi Black

Yellow School Director

Naomi Black is the Director of the Yellow School, MDPC’s Early Childhood Program serving children 3 years old through kindergarten. Naomi was born and raised in New Jersey, was graduated from Arcadia University in Pennsylvania, did postgraduate studies at Kean College in New Jersey and graduate studies at University of Phoenix. She has more than 30 years’ experience in Early Childhood Education, 13 as a classroom teacher, teaching preschool through third grade. Naomi began teaching at the Yellow School in 1978 and became the director in 1983. She has 25 years’ experience as a children’s choir director and is the music teacher at the school. She and her husband, Charlie, have five children and 12 grandchildren.

Shonda Martin

Yellow School Assistant

Mimi Wells

Child Care Plus Director

Mimi joined MDPC Childcare Ministries in 1991, and has served as Chid Care Plus Director since 2004. She grew up in Thailand with a Buddhist background, becoming the only Christian in her family. She received her B.A. from Payap University in Thailand. Mimi is married to the Rev. David Wells, a Chaplain in the International Seafarers Ministry. They have two sons: Peter, who is a firefighter, and Andrew, who is studying Civil Engineering. Her hobbies include cooking, gardening, growing orchids, and sewing. She feels called to Children’s Ministry, and desires to share God’s love and blessing with all children.

Liz Sansone

Child Care Plus Assistant