LCMC Texas
God’s wish is our command. Literally.
LUTHERAN CONGREGATIONS
IN MISSION FOR CHRIST
… IN TEXAS!
We are an association of congregations whose understanding of the Faith is rooted in the Bible and the Lutheran Confessions. We recognize the congregation, gathered around God’s Word and Sacraments, is the Church, so we don’t get much more hierarchical than that.
God’s Word is clear: We were created for a purpose; we were redeemed for a purpose; we are set apart for a purpose! Jesus calls us to follow him, and join in the
great work of making disciples of all nations. We know it’s not merely about “going” to Church – we are supposed to be the Church!
Our connection to LCMC is not hierarchical or legislative, but geographical: Primarily, we exist to promote fellowship, mutual ministry and church planting. Over fifty congregations have saddled up to ride with us, and our posse is always looking for more good hands. Yee-haw!
Interested?
Contact Bryce Formwalt, Director of Mission Growth for more information: 512-942-7776 or bryce@lcmctexas.org
District Council
The council is made up of pastors and members of congregations from across Texas who serve three-year terms. Though each hails from a member congregation, council members are elected to represent the interests of the District as a whole. The primary function of the District Council is to oversee the Director of Mission Growth, the vision and mission of the District, and the program ministry of the District, especially the Annual Gathering held each summer.
Chair
Tracy Hoffart
Tracy is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Hempstead, where he currently serves on the Mission Team as Secretary and has served in many leadership roles since joining Trinity. He is excited about the opportunity to help LCMC see new growth, but also with the Texas District’s help, have our current congregations fully embrace what it means to be “in Mission for Christ.” He was elected to his first term on the District Council in 2021 and elected Chair in 2022.
Tracy serves as the council liaison for:
Vice Chair
Kari Malinak
Kari serves as the Associate Pastor of Discipleship at Living Word Lutheran Church in Grapevine. She has also served on short-term mission to Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, Costa Rica to work alongside Iglesia Vida Nueva bringing God’s love to the people and community. Kari has been married for over 20 years to her beloved, Keith, with whom she shares three amazing kiddos. Kari was elected to her first term on the District Council in 2020 and to the position of Vice Chair in 2022.
Kari serves as the council liaison for:
Secretary
Gina Eliot
Gina is a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Victoria where she serves on staff as the Office Administrator. Gina was elected to her first term on the District Council in 2020 and to the position of Secretary in 2022.
Gina serves as the council liaison for:
Treasurer
David Mayer
David currently serves as the Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Blanco. He also is our New Testament faculty for Harvest Workers and serves on the Academic Advisory Team. He and his wife Tanya make their home in Stonewall. David was actively involved in establishing the Texas District in 2009. After several years off of leadership, David was elected to a new first term on District Council in 2022.
David serves as the council liaison for:
Jami Billings
Jami is a member of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Weesatche. She currently serves as the church secretary and Christian Education leader. She serves and has served in many additional areas in the church. Jami’s passion lies with spreading God’s word to the children and helping them know God and his awesomeness. Her hope for the LCMC Texas District is to continue to involve the Youth of our congregations as they are the future. Jami envisions regional youth events across the District for area churches and developing a network of youth and youth leaders to help one another share the love of God with each other. She was elected to the District Council in 2018.
Jami serves as the council liaison for:
Andrew Hamann
Andrew is a member of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Pflugerville, where he teaches Sunday school and also serves as secretary of the church council. Andrew is employed as an electricity transmission planning engineer at the Lower Colorado River Authority in Austin. Andrew was elected to his first term on the District Council in 2023.
Andrew serves as the council liaison for:
Paul Owens
Paul serves as the Senior Pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in New Braunfels. He has previously served on the LCMC Ministry Board. Paul was elected to the District Council in 2020.
Paul serves as the council liaison for:
Margaret Reus
Margaret is a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Hondo where she served as Church Office Secretary for over 30 years before retiring in 2017. She has been active in the Women’s ministry both in her home church and the Texas District. She currently serves on the board of Medina County Christian Job Corps, a ministry to help underemployed women and men achieve educational and employment goals as they move from dependency to self-sufficiency. Margaret was elected to the District Council in 2018.
Margaret serves as the council liaison for:
Chip Reynolds
Chip is the Senior Pastor of First English Evangelical Lutheran Church in Victoria and serves as a chaplain in the Texas Army National Guard. Chip helps to lead and plan the LCMC Youth Gathering. He was elected to his first term on the District Council in 2022.
Chip serves as the council liaison for:
Mark Schimmel
Mark is the pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Priddy, Texas. Mark is also the video coordinator for Harvest Workers. A second career pastor, Mark worked for 22 years as a filtration product and process development engineer prior to answering the call to ministry in 2007. Mark and his wife Carmen own a small ranch in Zephyr, Texas and raise and sell South Poll cattle for grass-finished beef along with way too many chickens. Mark was elected to his first term on the District Council in 2023.
Mark serves as the council liaison for:
John Waak
John is the Senior Pastor of Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Giddings. He also is our Old Testament faculty for Harvest Workers and currently serves on the LCMC Ministry Board and has previously served on LCMC Board of Trustees. John was elected to his first term on the District Council in 2022
John serves as the council liaison for:
Vic White
Vic is a disciple at St. Paul Lutheran Church of Bulverde where he sings with the choir and serves on the church council. He is a retired officer of the U.S. Air Force, a private pilot, and owns a small business maintaining general aviation aircraft. He and his wife Connie have been married over 40 years, raising 3 adult children and have one grand daughter. Vic was elected to the District Council in 2021 and is humbled and excited to help further the LCMC mission of growing Christ’s Kingdom.
Vic serves as the council liaison for:
To get in contact with a council member, please email info@lcmctexas.org.
Bryce Formwalt serves as our Director of Mission Growth and the Program Director for Harvest Workers. He and his wife Lisa are the parents of two college age sons and have made their home in Georgetown since 2015. He is a graduate of Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. His diverse ministry background includes serving churches in Ohio, Illinois, and North Dakota in both suburban and rural settings as a solo, associate, lead pastor, and church planter. A native of Iowa, Bryce is still an avid Hawkeye fan, enjoys camping and hiking with the family and loves fast cars. But his greatest passion is the mission of the church.
Bryce understands his role with the District to do whatever he can to help our congregations and leaders be successful in their mission. He coaches church planters and ministry leaders, assists congregations in transition, and is available to lead workshops or programs that help move the church towards its mission. He affirms our mission is to multiply disciples and churches and acknowledges that this endeavor requires patient faithfulness. He looks forward to seeing all that God will do!
Bryce began serving LCMC Texas in 2015. You can reach him at 512-942-7776 ext. 2 or
Support Staff
Program Support Specialist
Alyssa Moore
Alyssa is an active member of New Hope, McDade. She is the mother of four and together they enjoy quiet country living outside of Austin and delight in serving their church and community. Alyssa serves as our communication specialist as well as assisting us with event planning, registration, and coordination. She capably handles other administrative tasks related to both the Texas District and Harvest Workers. Alyssa began her position in September 2021. You may contact her by phone at 512-942-7776 ext. 1 or via email: alyssa@lcmctexas.org
Bookkeeper
Doris Engelhardt
Doris and her husband, Ted, are members of Faith Lutheran Church in Seguin. Doris has served in various leadership positions, including church council, stewardship committee and Women of Faith. While on church council, Doris also served as Treasurer and the volunteer Finance Administrator. She has served on the District Council in the past as well as on the Financial Review Team. With years of bookkeeping experience behind her, Doris transitioned from District Council Treasurer to Bookkeeper for the Texas District and Harvest Workers in August of 2022. You may contact her at doris@lcmctexas.org
IT’S GOD’S COUNTRY
So naturally, there should be a congregation nearby.
We’ve got about 50 locations throughout the Republic, some little, some big. And there are more on the way. If you’re looking for a church home or just passing through on a weekend somewhere, stop by and see us!
