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
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:
Vice Chair
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 is excited about training disciple makers through Harvest Workers. David and his wife Tanya make their home in Stonewall. David hopes the Texas District will continue to grown into a people of big-hearted hospitality, practical caring for their neighbors, and loving boldness in sharing the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 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:
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
Cyndy Malone
Cyndy is a member of Zion, Castroville where she serves as Secretary to the Council. Cyndy has been married to Ron Benke for over 24 years. She retired from AT&T in December 2023 and is finding ways to serve God and her community with her newfound time. She plays in Zion’s handbell choir, sings in the vocal choir, and regularly serves as a worship assistant. Cyndy is looking forward to encouraging the LCMC Texas District churches to be more active and involved with the Texas District in Mission for Christ. Cyndy was elected to her first term on District Council in 2024.
Cyndy 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 is excited to help the LCMC Texas District and its congregations continue to live and share the gospel. Andrew was elected to his first term on the District Council in 2023.
Andrew serves as the council liaison for:
Barbara Hoover
Barbara is a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Dime Box where she teaches Sunday School and is active in local church outreach at Jehovah Jireh Tutoring Center. She also serves with the Lions Club, Via de Cristo, and youth prison ministry at Giddings State School. Barbara looks forward to connecting with other LCMC congregations in her area to support each other in mission for Christ. Barbara was elected to her first term on the District Council in 2024.
Barbara serves as the council liaison for:
Brian Meuth
Brian and his wife of 39 years, Trece, have been members of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bulverde for approximately 25 years. Brian currently serves as President on the church council and is on the church Prayer and Care teams. Brian also serves on the boards of two Bulverde area nonprofit organizations – the Bulverde Spring Branch Activity Center (Senior Center) and the Bulverde Thrift Store. Brian is a founder and currently serves as CEO of M&S Engineering. Brian is looking forward to helping LCMC congregations and others learn to discover and engage with the Word of God. Brian was elected to his first term on the District Council in 2024.
Brian serves as the council liaison for:
Paul Owens
Paul serves as the Senior Pastor of St. Paul, New Braunfels. He has previously served two terms on the LCMC Ministry Board. Paul is passionate about the LCMC’s four core convictions, “we are: free in Christ, accountable to one another, rooted in scripture and the Lutheran confessions, and committed to working together to fulfill the Great Commission.” Paul was elected to the District Council in 2020.
Paul 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 retired from full-time parish ministry in July, 2024, after four decades of service in Wisconsin and Texas. He has served on both the LCMC Board of Trustees and Ministry Board, and presently serves as the Harvest Workers’ instructor of Old Testament, and Spiritual Formation. John loves that the LCMC Texas District is dedicated to raising up biblical and Spirit filled laity to find their place of God-ordained ministry. John was elected to his first term on the District Council in 2022.
John 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 bryce@lcmctexas.org.
Want to book a meeting with Bryce or invite him to come speak at your church? Click the button below to view his availability and schedule an appointment or book him for a Sunday morning visit:
Support Staff
Program Support Specialist
Alyssa McCullough
Alyssa and her husband, Jacob, are the parents of five wonderful children. Together they enjoy quiet country living outside of Austin and delight in serving their church and community. Alyssa and her family are active members of Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Giddings. 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 512-996-2466 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 60 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!
