Rev. Keefe Cropper Senior Pastor
Favorite Bible Verse: Ephesians 2:10

Favorite Movie: “It’s A Wonderful Life”

Favorite Bible Character: Daniel

Education:
Master of Divinity – Perkins School of Theology (SMU)
Bachelor of Arts – University of Texas @ Tyler (Psychology)

Westbury is Keefe’s 7th Charge, previously serving Dickinson FUMC (2005-2007), FUMC Center, Texas (2000-2005); FUMC Onalaska, Texas (1996-2000); Memorial Drive UMC (Associate) (1993-1996); Shooks Chapel UMC and Pine Forest UMC (1989-1993); and Flint UMC (1987-1989).

Before entering the ministry, Keefe worked in the drafting and engineering fields for 13 years. He is an avid reader and a lapsed tennis player. Currently he is a Polycarp Fellow, doing research in the area of Evangelism and Mission. He is married to Tina and has two sons (Michael and Stephen) one cat and one dog.

The glory of God is a man fully alive. - St. Iraneus

Rev. Francine Meyer Associate Pastor

Education:
Master of Divinity, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University Bachelor of Fine Arts, Southwestern University

Francine joined the Westbury staff in June of 2006 having previously served for a year as a Chaplain at Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital in their C.P.E. program. Prior to that she served on the staff of St. Luke’s UMC and in the Houston Galveston program of Perkins School of Theology.

Francine considers herself one of the “rare breed,” as she is a third generation native Houstonian and a lifelong Methodist. She has been married to her husband Gary, a real estate appraiser, for 25 years. Collectively they have 2 daughters and sons in law Andrea and Ben Steves and Courtney and Frank Whyte, 2 sons Philip and Carine Meyer and Cass Meyer, 2 grandsons Trey and Andrew Steves, and 1 granddaughter Ellie Whyte.

Francine is currently continuing her education in the Pastoral Care Specialist Program at The Samaritan Center. When not working she enjoys water sports and theatre.

Rev. Romonica Malone Associate Pastor

Education:
Master of Divinity – Gammon Theological Seminary
Bachelor of Social Work – Southwest Texas State University

Romonica and her daughter Maya recently moved to Houston to serve her 1st charge here at Westbury. Romonica graduated from seminary, May 5, 2007 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Prior to entering the ministry, Romonica worked 3 years in the mental health field with children and adolescents.

Dr. J. Randall Zercher worship blog, personal blog
Minister of Music, Director of Worship

Education:
Doctor of Musical Arts - University of Missouri-Kansas City (conducting)
Master of Music - Union Seminary (composition)
Bachelor of Arts - Bethel College (KS) (voice)

Randy likes gardening, cooking, photography and hanging out with Janette, his wife of 40 years. Dr. Zercher used to be a college teacher and has worked as Assistant Conductor for the Wichita Symphony, and Music Director of the Newton-Mid-Kansas Symphony Orchestra. A self-described "born-again Texan," he is also enthusiastic about Wesleyan theology. Randy has served as Director, then Minister of Music, Worship and Communications at Westbury since 1989 and became an ordained deacon in 1997. He served on the Texas Conference Board of Ordained Ministry from 1997 to 2004.

“After eighteen years at Westbury, I'm still amazed at the new things God is doing here, especially in music and worship. I feel very blessed, and am excited about what the future holds.”

Jana Kincannon Director of Discipleship and Fellowship

Favorite Bible Verse:Hebrews 13:5-6

Favorite Movie: “Signs”

Favorite Bible Character: Rahab

Jana attended Lee College in Baytown, Texas and Blinn Junior College in Bryan. She has been an active member at Westbury since 1984. She has served in the Children’s, Youth and Adult Ministries.

Jana and her husband, Lane, have three children, Andrew, Austin and Riley. In her spare time she likes to shop (but not necessarily “buy,”) be involved in a Bible study group, read, and laughing as much as possible. (“He will fill your mouth with laughter” – Job 8:21a).

Drew Swanson Director of Youth Ministries

Favorite Movie: The Lion King

Favorite Biblical Character: Jonah and Peter

Favorite Bible Verse: Psalm 139:13-16

Education: BA in Christian Ministry at Asbury College, Wilmore, KY

Growing up as a PK (preacher’s kid), Drew wanted nothing to do with full-time ministry—see Jonah. God’s unrelenting call, however, was too strong to ignore. Beginning his professional career in 1999, Drew has served at churches in Wisconsin (where he and his wife moved from two years ago), Beaumont, TX, and, now, Westbury. He and his wife (Heidi) have been married for six and a half years. They have two Yorkies; Ubbu (sit Ubbu sit, good dog) and Maddie.

In his spare time, Drew likes to spend time with Heidi and the pups, ride his motorcycle, go fishing, and visit family in Wisconsin and Boston. He also is an avid fan of most any sport and follows the Green Bay Packers and NASCAR with fervor.

Kimberly Welch Director of Children's Ministries

Kim joined out staff in May, 2006. A native Houstonian, Kim worked as a Respiratory Therapist before joining our staff in 2006. She served in volunteer ministry for several years, where she found a passion for sharing God’s awesome love with children.

Kim enjoys reading and writing (but not arithmetic), listening to music and making people laugh.

Kim has two children.

Patsy Caughman Business Manager

Patsy Caughman, FCBA, serves Westbury as the Business Manager, bringing a combination of secular and church work history. She worked for Exxon Chemical until “retiring” to raise her children.

She returned to the workplace as a volunteer in the church office which soon grew into a full time position.

She and her husband Bill have two sons, Clint and Jeffrey, and one spoiled dog, Abby.

Julie Ellerbrock Director, Westbury Day School

Education
B.S. degree from Texas A&M University
300 clock hours in Early Childhood Education

Julie began her career in Early Childhood working at the American School of Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

She has taught children ages three through six beginning in 1994. She has taught at Westbury since 1996 and was appointed Director in July, 2003.

Julie and her husband, Bill, have one daughter and one son. She enjoys volunteering in her community, her children's schools and activities, teaching Sunday School, and scrapbooking.

Karen Ewing Assistant Director, Westbury Day School
Director, Mother's Day Out

Education:
BA and MA in Spanish, secondary teaching degree.

Karen has taught all ages from age 3 through college students, beginning in 1971. She has worked at Westbury since 1986, and has served as Assistant Director since 1996.

Karen and her husband, Steve, have two daughters. Her hobbies are reading, swimming, sewing, cooking and scrapbooking.

Sarah Winkel Organist, Associate Music Director

Sarah Winkel graduated from Sam Houston State University with a degree in music education. She studied piano with Louise Powell, accompanying with Albert Hirsch, and organ with Robert Bennett, Lew Zailer and recently Dr. Joyce Jones, head of the organ department at Baylor University.

Sarah began her accompanying career in the eighth grade, in Brookshire Methodist Church. The pastor was Larry Stokes, later the founding pastor of Westbury UMC. She has served as organist in New York, New Orleans, Hunstville and Houston. She also worked as a studio accompanist at Houston Baptist University. Her teaching career includes assignments with HISD, St. Thomas More and St. Francis deSales schools. She taught at Westbury Day School for eighteen years.

Sarah has three grown children and several grandchildren.

Cynthia Kinzer Pastors' Secretary

Cynthia is a long-time member of Westbury, and has been the Pastors’ Secretary since 2003. Hers is the friendly voice you hear when you call our senior pastor: “Rev. Cropper’s office; this is Cynthia.” Her efficiency, humor and grace are invaluable assets to our church family.

Cynthia and husband John have two daughters and two granddaughters.

Clay Howell Pianist, Assistant Music Director

Clay comes to Westbury with a varied background in gospel music and currently is heading up The Soul Revivers, Westbury's gospel choir. He is the chief worship planner for the 8:30 worship service and acts as an accompanist for the 11:00 service.

Clay is a 1980 graduate Magna Cum Laude from Gulf-Coast Bible College (Now Mid-America Bible College) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Piano Performance. He is a singer/songwriter, and has produced several Christian albums for various artists nationwide. Four of his songs reached the top ten list of the Country Gospel music charts.

Clay has produced the music and the talking book for Adventures Inc's Little White Lamb, and has also written the music for a Children's Theater of Houston project. He has served on the boards of Adventures, Inc. and Children's Theater of Houston.

Dorothy Ardie Activities Coordinator

Dorothy and her husband Robert Ardie have served at Westbury UMC for almost 25 years.

Talk to Dorothy to schedule an activity at the church.

Martha Upton Communications & Membership

Martha graduated from Kansas State University in Music Education, has taught music, third grade and presently directs the Deci-Belles, a daytime women's Barbershop chorus. She has three children and seven grandchildren.

Martha creates THE WORD, our newsletter, and worship bulletins each week, and updates Westbury's membership records.