ELDERS
Fred Brown - Current Chairman
Fred was born in Texas in 1965 and has lived in Austin since leaving active duty from the Navy in 1991 and becoming a student at the University of Texas. He retired from the Navy Reserve in 2007.
Fred is currently employed as Server and Desktop support at Apple Inc. Fred married his wife Wendy in 1998, they have three children and six grandchildren. Fred has been a member of Southwest Christian Church since 1997 and is currently serving as the Chairman of our Elders.
Fred's Favorites
Bible Verse: "Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life." – Romans 6:4
Books of the Bible: Job, Gospel of John
Activities: Reading, singing, and spending time with the family.
Fred is currently employed as Server and Desktop support at Apple Inc. Fred married his wife Wendy in 1998, they have three children and six grandchildren. Fred has been a member of Southwest Christian Church since 1997 and is currently serving as the Chairman of our Elders.
Fred's Favorites
Bible Verse: "Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life." – Romans 6:4
Books of the Bible: Job, Gospel of John
Activities: Reading, singing, and spending time with the family.
Paul Diaz, Sr.
Born in Austin, Paul has lived here all his life. He married his childhood sweetheart, Sarah in 1970. Paul and Sarah have three grown children and five grandchildren. They have been members of Southwest Christian since 1978 and were instrumental in establishing Southwest as a bilingual congregation. Paul has served as Chairman of the Elders for several terms and has been a member of our Praise Band from its inception.
Paul works with a global technology advisory company where he advises IT executives on technology strategy and provides leadership coaching. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of Dallas Christian College and is a Trustee with Mexican Border Christian Ministries.
Paul's Favorites
Bible Verse: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” – James 1:2-5
Books of the Bible: James, Acts
Activities enjoyed: UT Football, traveling, UT Football (no accident), music, and the Southwest Christian Praise Band.
Paul works with a global technology advisory company where he advises IT executives on technology strategy and provides leadership coaching. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of Dallas Christian College and is a Trustee with Mexican Border Christian Ministries.
Paul's Favorites
Bible Verse: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” – James 1:2-5
Books of the Bible: James, Acts
Activities enjoyed: UT Football, traveling, UT Football (no accident), music, and the Southwest Christian Praise Band.
Chris Dobbs
Chris was raised in East Texas where he and his family lived until relocating to Buda in 2014. Chris grew up in both the non-instrumental and instrumental Church where he began a relationship with Christ as Lord and Savior through confession and baptism at age 12. Chris has previously served in churches as Youth Director, Worship Leader, and Deacon before coming to SWCC where he now serves as a member of the Worship Ministry team. Chris and Allison have been married since 1996 and have three children.
Chris has worked in various areas of the music and media industry as well as law enforcement and security. He also serves as SWCC's part-time Worship Director.
Chris's Favorites
Bible Verse: "Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy." – Psalms 33:3
Books of the Bible: Psalms, James, Romans
Activities: Outdoor activities, music, singing, and reading.
Chris has worked in various areas of the music and media industry as well as law enforcement and security. He also serves as SWCC's part-time Worship Director.
Chris's Favorites
Bible Verse: "Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy." – Psalms 33:3
Books of the Bible: Psalms, James, Romans
Activities: Outdoor activities, music, singing, and reading.
Ron Leigh
Born in California, Ron was raised in Michigan and Texas. His home has been in Austin since 1972. Ron married his high school sweetheart, Lisa, and they have been married since 1977. They have three adult children and four granddaughters.
Professionally, Ron is a Certified Project Manager for HPE in Austin. He has been a member of Southwest Christian Church since 1972. Ron previously served several years as a Deacon.
Ron's Favorites
Bible Verse: “Be on your guard; stand firm in faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.” – 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Books of the Bible: 1 Peter, 1 John
Activities: Softball, running, and golf.
Professionally, Ron is a Certified Project Manager for HPE in Austin. He has been a member of Southwest Christian Church since 1972. Ron previously served several years as a Deacon.
Ron's Favorites
Bible Verse: “Be on your guard; stand firm in faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.” – 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Books of the Bible: 1 Peter, 1 John
Activities: Softball, running, and golf.
Eliud Rivera
Born in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, Eliud's family moved to Chicago, Ill. while he was still a child. His father, Juan, was a founding member and served as an Elder of Community Christian Church in Chicago for over 50 years. Eliud and his wife, Teresa have been married for more than 20 years and have a lovingly blended family including one daughter, two sons, and three grandchildren.
Eliud and Teresa have been members of Southwest Christian since May of 2011. He is a retired steelworker with more than 35 years of service to that industry. Eliud previously served as a Deacon, then as an Elder, at Town & Country Christian Church in Indiana. Teresa has actively served with the Music and Drama Ministry, Hospitality Committee and they have hosted Bible studies in their home.
Eliud’s Favorites
Bible Verse: "Stand firm, let nothing move you. Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." – 1 Corinthians 15:58
Books of the Bible: Psalms
Activities: Sports: Eliud remains a loyal Chicago Bears, Bulls, White Sox, Cubs, and Blackhawks fan!
Eliud and Teresa have been members of Southwest Christian since May of 2011. He is a retired steelworker with more than 35 years of service to that industry. Eliud previously served as a Deacon, then as an Elder, at Town & Country Christian Church in Indiana. Teresa has actively served with the Music and Drama Ministry, Hospitality Committee and they have hosted Bible studies in their home.
Eliud’s Favorites
Bible Verse: "Stand firm, let nothing move you. Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." – 1 Corinthians 15:58
Books of the Bible: Psalms
Activities: Sports: Eliud remains a loyal Chicago Bears, Bulls, White Sox, Cubs, and Blackhawks fan!
DEACONS
Jose Cerda
Greg Jenkins
Jose is an Austin native and grew up at Southwest Christian. The Cerda family was a part of the initial group that launched Southwest’s Hispanic ministry in the late 1970s. He and his wife, Karrie have been a couple since high school and have three children; Myriah, JC, and Jacob, and one grandson, Matthew. Jose and Karrie own JC Construction, specializing in custom home construction and remodels. Karrie leads the Women’s Ministry at Southwest.
Del Senn
Del was born in California in 1950. Del and Kathy Senn have been at Southwest Christian Church since Sept 2014. They moved from place to place (NC; West Berlin, GE; CA; and VA) with the US Army from 1983 when they were married until Del retired from the Army in 1998. They stayed in Newport News, VA from then until 2013, and attended Olivet Christian Church, where Del served as a deacon until they moved to Kyle, TX to be closer to their youngest daughter and her family. Their lives have been richly blessed by the people and experiences God has given them, and they feel especially blessed to have found this place to serve and to serve with the SWCC family.
Greg has been married to his wife, Stacy (Diaz) for 16 years. The Jenkins' have four children, three of which are from Greg's previous marriage; two grown boys, Justin and Kyle, and two daughters, Reagan and Isabella. Greg has been a Christian for 29 years and a member of SWCC for 20 years. Greg has served Southwest as a Youth Sponsor, in the Maintenance Ministry, Worship Support Ministry, as a Bible School Teacher and is currently serving as a Deacon. Greg is employed as a Commercial Construction Superintendent for a construction company in Austin. Stacy serves on the worship team playing piano for the worship service.
Rudy Villarreal
Rudy has been a part of the Southwest family for 34 years. He and Marie have been married for over 39 years, have two children (Emory and Rudy, Jr.), and have five grandchildren. Rudy launched a recovery ministry (CA) at our previous location that became an integral part of Southwest. Marie remains active in leading a Co-Anon group that meets weekly at Southwest. Together they have mentored countless people and continue to help people reclaim their lives from addiction. Rudy is a mechanic by trade and previously owned Rudy’s Automotive. He and Marie currently own and operate a furniture resale store in South Austin.
