Youth Contacts

Kyle Bender - High School Director

kyleb@mdpc.org 713-490-9292 | fax 713-953-2575

Education: B.A. Sociology - Texas A&M University Currently working on M.A. of Theology from Fuller Seminary.

After spending some time away from Texas in California, I was looking to move back home. Found MDPC, even though I was trying to get to where my soon to be fiance was (Austin), and I thoroughly enjoyed every conversation. I knew God was up to something at this church and I wanted to be a part of it. October, 2004.

How the BLESS Challenge impacts my life: BLESS is a cute acronym for sure. However, I see it as an invitation to move the rhythms and priorities of our lives closer to the rhythms and priorities we see Jesus living by in the scriptures. It truly is a lifestyle. If we can show the next generation how to live this way, the world will be a different place and the gospel of Jesus will come alive.

It's no secret - I love music and the guitar. being outdoors. soccer. Apple.

Facts about my family: Morgan - better half. Georgie - Puggle. It's true, I have a designer dog.

Fact about me: Type B personality

Favorite Quotes: “The Spiritual life is first of all a life. It is not merely something to be known and studied, it is to be lived.” --Thomas Merton “Compared with what we ought to be, we are only half awake.” – William James

Becky Provence -
Associate Director of High School

bprovence@mdpc.org | 713.782.1710 ext. 182

Education: Bachelor of Arts in Journalism at the University of Oklahoma. Started classes at Fuller Theological Seminary, Texas extension in the fall of 2008.

I grew up at MDPC from the time I was in middle school and was very invovled in the youth department. I went to Spring Forest Middle School and Stratford High School (Go Spartans!) I interned in the children's and youth programs during two summers while I was in college and then joined the staff in May 2007 as the Year-Long Youth Intern and was then hired on full time in April 2008 as the Associate High School Director.

I love working with high school students because high school is such a time of growth and it is so cool to walk with students through that time. I get to plan and go on mission trips, retreats and other fun events as well as teach bible studies and visit students at school lunches. Youth ministry is so much about building relationships and showing students the love of Jesus Christ.

BLESS is a way to personally connect with Christ but also show others the power of His grace and love. God has sent me here to do his work and I want Him to use me and my life to Bless others.

I enjoy being with the people I love, friends & family. I love to see movies, hang out with high school students, taking naps on rainy days and eating good food with good people.

My mom and stepdad are members here at MDPC and have been for over 10 years. My brother is teaching high school english in Austin and my half-sister lives in California with her husband and baby girl.

I am a fun-loving, energetic and outgoing person! I love to be around people and to hear about their lives and their stories. I feel God calling me into full time vocational ministry which opens up an exciting road before me.

ONE of my favorite verses: "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Ephesians 5:1-2

Personal Interests: I am an avid Oklahoma Sooners fan and I have to be proud since I work with all Aggies :)BOOMER!

Luke Gordon - Middle School Director

lgordon@mdpc.org 713-490-9294 | fax 713-953-2575

I am a Spring Forest Bobcat, a Stratford Spartan, and a Texas A&M Aggie. I graduated from the amazing Texas A&M University in 2002. Currently, I am in the process of getting a Masters of Divinity degree in Youth, Family, and Culture at Fuller Seminary.

I have been the Middle School Director at MDPC since May 2003. MDPC has played a major role in shaping who I am as person. I grew up at MDPC and was in the Youth Group as a student (I have pictures to prove it). I spent three of my summers during college working at MPDC as a summer youth intern. I love being a part of this community!

As a middle school director I get to eat gross food, go to the movies, have lunch with students, and play just about every sport imaginable, but I am in it for much more. Colossians 2:2 “My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ Jesus.” This scripture has helped define my role as the middle school director here at MDPC. My desire is for students to fall in love with Jesus in a way that impacts every aspect of their lives.

How the BLESS Challenge impacts my life: I am proud to be a part of a church that emphasizes living out their faith. To me BLESS is a way of life. As followers of Jesus we are called to live for Him in every area of our lives. BLESS gives all of us, students and adults, some practical ways to do this.

Personal Interests: Ultimate Frisbee, youth trips, dates with Julie, almost any sport, backpacking, seminary work, watching movies, and jogging. If you ever want to shoot-some-hoops let me know. I will buy you a coke if you can beat me in PIG.

I am married to the wonderful Julie Gordon who and I have a son, Caleb Jack Gordon. We are blessed that the students at MDPC are a part of our lives. Both of my parents, Pat and Judy Gordon, are also active at MDPC and are a big part of my life. My mom is one of the High School leaders… so you will get to know her if you don’t already. I have two brothers, Seth and David, and two sisters, Lisa and Amy. David and Amy both have families who are a part of the MDPC community. I have five of the coolest nephews in the world (Noah, Josh, Isaac, Nathan, and Daniel) and a super-amazing niece (Meredith).

Katie Williamson -
Associate Director of Middle School

kwilliamson@mdpc.org 713-490-0932

I grew up in the Memorial area and have attended MDPC since I was 5 years old. I went to Wilchester Elementary, Memorial Middle, and graduated from Stratford High School. I then went to college at Texas A&M University and graduated in May of 2008. Whoop! I am currently taking classes at Fuller Theological Seminary and am open and excited to see what God has planned for me!

The most important thing I want you to know about me is that Jesus' love saved my life, and I am here on this earth to share that love! I love that in my job I am able to walk along side of students and learn new and exciting things about Christ. 

I love meeting new people, dancing, singing, singing while dancing, I really LOVE snow skiing, being outdoors, Sea Otters, having deep conversations with friends, exploring the Heights, eating vegetables, traveling, learning about new cultures, laughing so hard I get stomach cramps, going from really cold a/c to a really hot car, picking up the free song cards at Starbucks, watching BBC news, my zebra print Snuggie, the fact that they have Snuggies for dogs, and so much more!!

My Mom is an elder here at MDPC so even though I am out of the house, I get to see her a lot! I am sad to say that I am an only child, but it makes me want to have a huge family of my own someday! 

This is a bible verse that has gotten me through some really big struggles: Romans 5:1-5 ^"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."

Tera Rush - Middle School Admin Coordinator

trush@mdpc.org 713-490-9291| fax 713-953-2575

Education: BS in Psychology from Texas A&M University

How the BLESS Challenge impacts my life: A way of life...a calling. It impacts all aspects of my ministry as I am called to bless students and families, while listening to the voice of God - allowing Him to lead me in this calling. Youth Ministry is 110% relational, so BLESS encompasses the entirity of the calling of reaching out to students and showing them the face of Jesus.