Below are people who you will see quite a bit of at The Journey. Whether they serve a lot of “face time” in front of the congregation or are simply involved in many activities, we can almost guarantee that you’ll run into these men and women.
Cheri Heldstab
Cheri Heldstab is our Children’s Ministry Director. You might look at her smile and say I have seen her somewhere before and you might be right. Cheri wears many hats in our community- wife to Curtis, mom to Alex, Mackenzie & Katy, Scout leader, library assistant and all-around community volunteer. She has a heart and passion for children and families both personally and professionally. Cheri has a BS in Special Education, is a commissioned Parish Christian Educator and has been working in Children’s & Family ministry for almost 15 years in United Methodist churches in both Texas and Missouri.
Being a part of The Journey is very special to Cheri & her family. From their first moment at The Journey, they were enveloped by the family atmosphere that is welcoming to all families and all God’s children no matter their age or stage. They love how children and youth have the opportunity to serve God and be a part of worship every Sunday. They enjoy being a part of the unique worship services like Dadfest, Mother’s Day Spa, PJ’s & Pancakes & Family Sabbath to name a few. Most of all, they love the people. They are blessed to be a part of a family of faith that is- growing and going- ready to meet people where they are at and walk together along life’s journey. Whether it is everyday living, tribulations or celebrations, there is always someone there to offer a helping hand, hug, smile or prayer along the way.
Cheri feels her ministry to children and families can be summed up best by Deuteronomy 6:4-9 as God calls us to know & love Him every day and to teach our children about Him in every part of our lives.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
New International Reader’s Version (NIRV)
4 Israel, listen to me. The Lord is our God. The Lord is the one and only God. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Love him with all your strength. 6 The commandments I give you today must be in your hearts. 7 Make sure your children learn them. Talk about them when you are at home. Talk about them when you walk along the road. Speak about them when you go to bed. And speak about them when you get up. 8 Write them down and tie them on your hands as a reminder. Also tie them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses. Also write them on your gates.
Josh Scott – Youth Director/All-Around Fun Guy
Josh is our Youth Ministry Director. He is also a student at Texas State University where he is studying Education. He enjoys long walks on the beach and sitting at the feet of Pastor Kyle where he learns more than he could ever imagine about life and all kinds of good things.
Josh especially loves working with youth because they have such a unique perspective on life and have ample opportunities to spread the loving and saving power of Christ with so many others.
Our Worship Band
Nick Landis
Nick Landis is a member of our Praise Band and he assists with the sound board as well. He has a music degree and is employed as a full-time sound engineer in Austin so we’re glad to have his expertise. Since last year, Nick’s been “helping out where he can” at The Journey, and he doesn’t mind spending Sunday mornings engaged in one of his favorite activities – playing the guitar.
Nick Thacker
More often than not, Nick Thacker will be the guy with the guitar, leading the congregation in song. He started his career early, leading worship bands from the time he was in middle school and eventually becoming a full-time Worship Director.
Music is Nick’s language. Along with studying music in college, he has composed songs and written books about music. In fact, he was even nominated for the 2005 Pulitzer Prize in Music!
At The Journey, Nick feels comfortable sharing his faith through music. He enjoys the moments when he forgets about the music, forgets about the tune and even forgets about the words. It’s then that he is simply worshiping. “My commitment to myself is to find that moment in every song I ever sing or play, on or off the stage. It’s not always easy, and can be frustrating when I let myself down, but I’m addicted to the feeling.”
