Leadership Team
Staff & District Coordinators
Marilyn has education, corporate, nonprofit, and ministry experience, a B.A. from Rice University, and an MBA from the University of San Francisco with a focus on nonprofit management and development economics. Marilyn and her husband Andy love to travel, play sports, and spend time with friends and family.
A native Houstonian, Brittani has served as an educator to Houston-area students for over 12 years. She also co-leads the women’s ministry at Higher Expectations Church in Humble, TX. Working with Loving Houston gives Brittani the opportunity to exercise both her passions for education and ministry.
Melissa has a psychology, sociology, and human development degree from the University of Houston, a Masters of Divinity degree with an emphasis in intercultural ministry, and experience as a church minister and a nonprofit event coordinator. Melissa enjoys exploring Houston with her husband Anthony and daughter Zoe.
Melissa has 20 years of experience working in education, ministry, and nonprofit spaces. Her heart for seeing people connect and having that connection impact communities is the driving force behind her work at Loving Houston. Melissa enjoys life with her husband Travis and their two daughters on their farm in Needville.
Reverend Deon (or Pastor D) graduated from the College of Biblical Studies and is currently working on his Master of Divinity Degree. He was ordained by The Good Shepherd Missionary Baptist Church, and planted Redeeming Word Community Church with his wife in 2017 through the Houston Church Planting Network.
Sheri’s career has been in the corporate world, but she has always been involved in the community and at her church. She has served with NW Habitat for Humanity, Casa de Esperanza, and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and currently serves with her church’s children’s ministry and Community Ministry Center.
With a caring heart and 20 years of serving in ministry, Tawana has been a pioneer in connecting businesses, churches, and organizations to support children and youth. She has dedicated her life to helping youth grow academically, socially, physically, and economically as they utilize their God-given gifts and talents.
Reverend Pervis (or Pastor P) has a B.S. in Organizational Leadership from the College of Biblical Studies and a Masters in Apologetics from Houston Baptist University. He is the pastor of The Way Fellowship, owner of ph.Designs, and author of #AmenGoesThere. His mantra is LOVE God, SERVE others, SHARE your story!
Adam graduated from Bowie State University and earned his Masters Degree in Urban Ministries from Grand Canyon University. He is the Founder of AdamsWalk, the High School Lead with Harvest Point Fellowship Church in Pearland, a devoted husband, and the loving father of two brilliant children.
After 40 years of experience in education in Hempstead and Brazosport, Diane retired but felt God’s call to bridge her passions of ministry and education by helping to start Loving BISD. Nearly every school in Brazosport ISD now has a church partner thanks to Diane’s work and the district’s enthusiastic partnership!
Board of Directors
Former Executive Director of Union Baptist Association. Enjoys teaching, training, photography, golf, learning to draw, and retirement!
Loving Houston Board Chair and Certified Public Accountant. Enjoys tutoring second graders, reading, traveling, and serving in leadership roles at her church and local organizations.
Native Houstonian and leader in the Houston real estate industry. Enjoys mentoring at Spring Woods Middle School, serving as a grief facilitator, and providing leadership on several local boards.
Entrepreneur (www.buyonpurpose.com), philanthropist, speaker, author, husband, and father of two. Graduate of the University of Texas Austin, Dallas Theological Seminary, and Harvard Business School.
Executive Pastor of First Metropolitan Church. Former teacher and daycare owner. Enjoys mentoring, coaching, counseling, speaking on women and teen girl issues, and facilitating marriage workshops.
Director of Community Outreach Programs with The McNair Foundation. Pastor Emeritus of Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church. Enjoys writing, serving on local boards, and spending time with his 7 grandchildren!
Board member of multiple nonprofits. Enjoys volunteering with refugee kids, studying the Bible with BSF and CBS, and dividing her loyalties between her children’s schools: UT Austin and Texas A&M!
Native Houstonian, Oil and Gas entrepreneur, and Grandfather of 4! Enjoys mentoring, promoting Urban Young Life, and spending time outdoors biking, hiking, and skiing with his wife, Nancy.
Advisors
Member of the Texas State Board of Education, and the Community Relations Liaison overseeing Faith-Based Partnerships in Houston ISD.
Managing Director of Volant Energy Partners with local and national experience with youth, inner city, and leadership ministries.
International businessman, co-chair of the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, and chair of the Points of Light board of directors.
Lord of the Streets Vicar and Founding President of For Houston’s Kids, with expertise in leadership development, spiritual formation, and community transformation.
Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Houston Church Planting Network, a network of church networks working together to reach the city.
First Vice President with UBS Financial Services Wealth Management Group with extensive community leadership experience.
Founding President of National Christian Foundation Houston. Former Board Chairman of Loving Houston, and former Financial Executive.
Executive Director of Pray Houston! with 35 years of pastoral and community transformation leadership throughout Houston and currently in Fifth Ward.
Founding Executive Director of Mission Houston, Co-Founder of Faithwalking, and Co-Founder of The Leader’s Journey: Coaching for Wholehearted Leadership.
Bishop of the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. Former Professor at Perkins School of Theology.
Founder and Director of the Houston Education Research Consortium, Associate Director of the Rice Kinder Institute for Urban Research, and Professor of Sociology at Rice University.
President of the Luis Palau Association. Provides leadership for CityServe, a movement that mobilizes churches, businesses, and city leaders to love and serve their cities.
President of H.E. Butt Grocery Company’s Houston and Central Market division. Provides leadership for the Greater Houston Partnership, Houston Food Bank, Brighter Bites, and Memorial Hermann Hospitals.
Director of the Faith and Education Coalition for the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference. Former Associate Professor and member of the Naval Reserves.
