Congregational Meeting–Sunday, March 28

On Sunday, March 28, there will be a congregational meeting immediately after the 11 am services to vote for the slate of Elders and Deacons that have been recommended by the Officer Nominating Committee. 

Elder Nominees: Anne Compton, Justin Eastburn, John Rain, Karl Rathjen, Alisa Sell, John Walsh

Deacon Nominees: Lee Davis, Kirsten Garwood, Mary Lamar, Don Linnen, Eva Mainah, Bilha Mureithi, John Ndungu, Ashley Shull, Jean Streepey, Betty Underwood, Debbie Walker, Roberta Williamson

Governing Elder Nominees

Anne Compton

Anne has been a member of HP Pres for over 40 years. She has two adult married children and four granddaughters - three of whom attend the Day School. In addition to having served as an elder and deacon, Anne has served as clerk of the Session, co-chaired the Pastor Nominating Committee that called Bryan Dunagan, and served on Worship, Human Resources, and Congregation Care committees. She is currently active as a leader of the Acts Too Sunday School Class and is Board Chair for Resolution Outreach Ministries.

Justin Eastburn

Justin has been a member of HP Pres for over 10 years. He is married to Lauren, and they live in Richardson with their two sons, ages 10 and 6. Justin has previously served as a co-lead teacher for kindergarten Sunday school and as a monthly volunteer in the nursery and elementary classes. He has been a member and co-moderator of the Benevolence/Urban committee, served on the leadership committee of the YA/Harbor Sunday School class, was a guest teacher in the pre-marriage class, and has served on two different mission trips to Haiti with our partners at Haiti Outreach Ministries.

John Rain 

John has attended HP Pres since childhood. He has been an elder and a deacon, has taught Sunday School, and has worked on various committees and with Alpha. He is now part of the Missions Mobilization team and participates in the Ascent men’s group and the Acts Too adult class and helps with Starting Point for prospective HP Pres members. He is on the board of Langham Partnership USA (formerly called John Scott Ministries) and is passionate about supporting the global Church. John is married to Ellen, and they have four adult children and some wonderful grandchildren.

Karl Rathjen

Karl has been a HPPC member for over 40 years. He was confirmed and married at HPPC and his wife and children were all baptized here. Karl has been a practicing Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon at Scottish Rite for Children / UT Southwestern for 25 years. He has served on the Stewardship Committee and as elder and currently serves as a trustee of the HPPC Foundation.

Alisa Sell

Alisa has been a member of HPPC since 2010. She is married to Clay Sell and they have 3 children (Jack 22, Robert 18 and Mary Margaret 17). Alisa has served as a Deacon, Starting Point leader, Table Leader and member of Anchor, member of the Journey Sunday School Class and a VBS volunteer. Alisa and her family have also been active in the HPPC International Friendship Program with SMU foreign students, mentoring 5 SMU students from Iran, Saudi Araba, India, Vietnam and China. Alisa has also been an active volunteer in the Dallas community serving on several Boards.

John Walsh

John has been a member of HP Pres since 1983. He is married to Dawna and together they have three adult children. In addition to being a past elder and deacon, John has served on the Operations Committee, and the ECO Committee. John also volunteers in Alpha and serves the Alpha Tribe Team.

Deacon Nominees

Lee Davis

Lee has been a member of HP Pres since 1989. She is married to Frank and together they have three adult children. She is involved in the Women’s Ministry and serves on the Start Here Team, and the Disaster Relief Team. She also has served as a volunteer for Fish and Loaves, VBS and the Meyercord Library.

Kristen Garwood

Kirsten has been a member of HP Pres since 1985. She is married to Wes and together they have adult triplet sons. At HP Pres, she coordinates the Trinity Sunday School Class and is a discussion leader for Marriage Prep. She has been a Sunday School and VBS teacher, on the Children’s Committee, the Officer Nominating Committee, and the Nominating Committee for the High School Director, as well as being a Start Here Volunteer and a member of the Chancel Choir.

Mary Lamar

Mary has been an active member of Highland Park Pres for over 23 years. She is married to Alex and they have 3 children. Currently a Bible study leader for Mothers After God’s Heart, Mary has also served as JAM moderator, Sunday School teacher and board member of the HPPres Day School. Mary is a member of the Grace Church Lake Highland Launch Team and is now serving in the kids ministry at Grace Highlands

Don Linnen

Don has been a member of HP Pres for over 20 years. He is married to Sherry, has two adult sons, and three granddaughters. In addition to being a reserve deacon, he has served on the Denominational Task Force and several committees including Associate Pastor Nominating, New Church Development, and Urban Missions. He moderated the Transformation West Dallas committee. He has served as a volunteer in other areas both inside and outside HP Pres. He currently serves on the Grace Church Lake Highlands Launch Team

Eva Mainah

Eva has been a member at HP Press for over 10 years. She is married to Mainah Kaigi and has two adult children. She is a leader of the All Nations Far North (Frisco, McKinney, Allen, Mellissa & Anna) Community Life Group. She is a mentor to HPPres youth helping them prepare for confirmation. Eva also assists in HPPres All Nation Worship Service with Intercessional prayers, Mid-week prayers and sometimes teaching God's word. She also has been a leader with Bible Study Fellowship International Frisco group for the last 3 years leading and shepherding about 16 ladies.

Bilha Mureithi

Bilha has been a member at HP Pres since 2009. She is married to Samuel Kihato and they have been blessed with 3 children. In addition to serving as a reserve deacon, she has been a Sunday school teacher, served in the All Nations Women's Fellowship Leadership and Outreach Committee. She is currently active in community bible studies and volunteer opportunities including mentoring young adults.

John Ndungu

John is married to Mercy Wamuyu. They have been blessed with 3 wonderful boys. John has been a member of All Nations since 2009. He has been actively involved in serving in the children’s ministry, hospitality ministry and outreach ministry. Currently he is the All Nations Bible study Coordinator and also a member of the All Nations Leadership Committee. John feels that serving has helped him discover his gifts and purpose. I desire to continue to use my God given gifts to expand his kingdom.

Ashley Shull

Ashley has been a life-long member of HP Pres. She was baptized, raised and married in the church. Ashley is married to Vance and they have three children Mary Craddock (13), Evelyn (10) and David (4). She has served as a Sunday School teacher, Confirmation Mentor and served on the Children’s Pastor Nominating Committee. Ashley is currently leading an Anchor small group as well as teaching Sunday School in her youngest child’s class.

Jean Streepy

Jean has been a member at Highland Park Presbyterian for over 20 years. She is married and has two adult children. She and her husband Mike are currently active in the Food Box volunteer effort. She has been a Sunday school teacher, nursery volunteer, and children's choir moderator. Jean has been a middle school math and STEM teacher with Highland Park Independent School District for fifteen years and serves on the Texas State Board for Educator Certification.

Betty Underwood

Betty is a native Dallasite and has been a member of HP Pres for almost 20 years. She has been a deacon and reserve deacon since 2008. Betty has served as a greeter, on the Art Committee, Singles Host Committee as well as serving communion, and delivering meals in the “Cadillac Ministry. Betty has five adult nephews and one niece.

Debbie Walker

Debbie met and married her husband at HPPres 39 years ago. She and Ross have four adult children and love having them all live in Dallas. In addition to serving in ministry to the HPPres senior members who reside at PVN, Debbie enjoys teaching children God's truths from His Word. In the past, she taught the children in A Mother's Heart at her previous church and presently teaches children at BSF. She has also assisted in the Sunday morning preschool children's program at HP Pres.

Roberta Williamson

Roberta has been a member of HP Pres for 8 years. Originally from Houston, Roberta attended SMU. She has been involved in the Monday Flower Ministry, the Women’s Ministry and is a member of Women’s Circle 1. Roberta has rich history of serving in the Dallas community, and at her former church. She is excited about her new role and looks forward to serving HP Pres in useful ways.