Our Staff
Get to know our team!
We care deeply about what we do, while also having a lot of fun. Our team is blessed with people that have a variety of gifts, that God has brought together to further His kingdom in central Texas. We love serving our church family.
Our Staff
Our Fellowship team is made up of followers of Jesus that are passionate about seeing people reached for Christ and helping believers grow to be like Him.
Donnie Smith
Lead Pastor
Ben Fawcett
Hutto Campus Pastor
John Hummel
Interim Taylor Campus Pastor
Drew Neal
Interim Taylor Associate Campus Pastor
Troy Mills
Teaching Pastor
Brandon Weir
Teaching Pastor
Jesse Showalter
Teaching Pastor
Dagne Balcha
Ethiopian Church Pastor
Will Taylor
Groups Pastor
Rob Wood
Worship Pastor
Payton Keller
Worship Director
Michael Bennett
Worship Director
Andy Fincher
Technical Director
Andrew Allison
Technical Director
Gray Mitteness
Student Pastor
Nolan O'Conner
Hutto Student Pastor
Jason Mathieu
Middle School Pastor
Amy Payton
KiDS Director
Kristina Smith
Associate KiDS Director
Valerie Borkowski
Round Rock Elementary Coordinator
Jennie Neal
Taylor KiDS Coordinator
Megan Geske
Round Rock Preschool Coordinator
Jesse Lawrence
Hutto Elementary Coordinator
Melissa Carter
Hutto Preschool Coordinator
Rocky Bush
Communications Director
Noel Gonzales
Graphics & Videography
Rachelle Garcia
Communications Manager
Don Dye
Care Pastor
Ron Roth
Fellowship Academy - Head of School
Heather Clyburn
Fellowship Academy - Executive Preschool Director
Jennie Castaneda
Hutto Preschool Academy Director
Claudia Whitehead
Administrative Assistant
Jim Whitehead
Facilities Manager
Wresha Rhoderick
Adult Ministry Admin
Lynne Kettle
Financial Administrator
Greg Lapum
Admin Assistant
Donnie Smith
Lead Pastor
Believing the Bible reveals the nature and character of God. It’s Donnie’s passion to share that truth with people everywhere. Donnie is an expository Bible teacher that uses history, humor and story to bring the scriptures to life. Donnie is married to Kristina, and they have two children, Kylie and Clayton. Donnie has served as a youth pastor, teaching pastor and lead pastor over the past 27 years. In 2009 he took the lead pastor role at The Fellowship in Round Rock, TX. The Fellowship is a multi-site Bible teaching church. Donnie did both his undergraduate and graduate work at Dallas Baptist University.
Ben Fawcett
Hutto Campus Pastor
Ben Fawcett is the Hutto Campus Pastor at The Fellowship. He was born and raised in Texas. He didn’t grow up knowing who Jesus is, but as an adult had a lot of questions about happiness and what the point of life was. He fervently searched and in the search for happiness he found joy in Jesus. While trying to quantify death he found life. In the midst of looking for a place to belong, he found peace in the one who placed him. He diligently searched and found Jesus, who was the answer to all the questions he was wrestling with. Ben has a profound passion for the Lord, and desires for others to see God for who He is – the way, the truth, and the life. Ben treasures the word of God above all else, and has a passion for others to be able to read and understand the good news and truth that it holds for those who believe. As the Hutto Campus Pastor, his heart and purpose is to see the people of Hutto living lives rooted in the word. He intentionally shepherds the people of Hutto beside his beautiful wife, Holly, and their two children Janelle and Abraham. Ben is also a chicken farmer that enjoys food, football, and his family.
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John Hummel
Interim Taylor Campus Pastor
John was born and raised in Kansas City, MO and is an avid Chiefs fan. He also enjoys blacksmithing and making custom knives, and recently retired after 46 years as an executive chef.
John is a lover of Jesus and came to faith in Christ as an adult after challenging God by saying: “If you are who you say you are, I will do it your way, I will give you my life, but I’m from Missouri, you have to show me!” God moved miraculously in John’s life and he was in!
John has a passion for teaching God’s word and seeing people’s lives changed by it. He has been married to his awesome wife Lisa for twelve years and has three adult children, Kelli, Andrew, and Lexi, and one granddaughter, Zoie. Together John and Lisa love investing in people’s lives and building community.
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Drew Neal
Interim Taylor Associate Campus Pastor
Troy Mills
Teaching Pastor
Troy is a small town Texas boy; born and raised in Rockdale, Texas. He was raised in a family that loved God and made it a part of their daily lives. After leaving Rockdale, he attended Texas A&M and met his wife as a freshman in college. Troy and Rachel graduated and had the opportunity to live in Cincinnati and Albuquerque before returning back to Texas. They have been in Texas since 1997 with a small 2 year adventure in Singapore.
Troy and Rachel have 3 daughters who are wonderful blessings to us and many other people in their lives. They have been members of The Fellowship Church since 1998 and have had the opportunity to serve in many capacities. Troy served as the Student pastor at the church for 8 years and have been utilized as a teaching pastor and elder since 2013. Rachel is an active member of the congregation and serves in various functions within the church.
Truly, The Fellowship has helped Troy to be a better father, husband, son and friend. His hope as an Elder at the church, is to continue to ensure that our church is grounded firmly in the Gospel and can effectively reach people for Christ and help believers grow to be like Him.
Brandon Weir
Teaching Pastor
Brandon Weir was born and raised in Clifton, Texas. He didn’t come from a Christian home, but in High school was invited to partake in a local mission’s trip where he heard the gospel. He was radically changed and transformed by the assured truth, hope, and grace he received by his faith in Jesus. He has an undeniable passion for people to come to know the grace and hope that he found, and can only be found, in Jesus. This passion led him to a life of ministry. He loves this church and finds immense joy in meeting, discipling, and raising up leaders among the people of The Fellowship Church. He believes that the church, through Jesus Christ, is the hope of the world, and as such the church is to be beautifully adorned and built up in the best way. He has been serving and stewarding the Fellowship for many years, and in many different facets, alongside his beautiful wife, Jules. Her fervent faith and love for Jesus and people is evident and undeniable as she cares for and loves Brandon, their two kids, Judah and Eden, and the family of The Fellowship church. Brandon enjoys sports, hunting, and eating good food.
Jesse Showalter
Teaching Pastor
Jesse didn’t grow up in a Christian home, and had no church background. Until the age of 24, he heard the gospel over the course of a few months while attending church with his girlfriend, who would later become his wife. Jesse started out those months very cynical and skeptical, but over that period of time God convicted him of his sin and illuminated his heart to the truth of who God is. Easter of 2008 Jesse gave his life to Jesus. He and his wife Amy have been happily married for 12 years, and have two wonderful children. Jovi is 10 and Nixon is 9. They love playing board games together, going on adventures, and watching nerdy movies.
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Dagne Balcha
Ethiopian Church Pastor
Will Taylor
Groups Pastor
Will is a native Texan, born in Austin. Will has been married since 2013 to his wife Stephanie. Will and Stephanie have a daughter, Sophie, and they reside in Pflugerville. They have been attending The Fellowship Church since 2018 and were excited to begin serving as part of the church. Will has a background in law enforcement and a strong passion for serving God and the local community.
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Rob Wood
Worship Pastor
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Payton Keller
Worship Director
Payton started attending the Fellowship in 2016. After joining the worship team and serving as a volunteer for two years, she joined our residency program as a worship intern and now has been a part of our worship staff since 2018! Payton was born and raised in Austin and spends her days as a cosmetologist! She is passionate about reaching people in the workplace with the good news of Jesus. She loves exploring Austin, iced coffee and hats!
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Michael Bennett
Worship Director
Originally from Southern California, Michael gave his life to the Lord at age 16 at a Christian Club outreach at his high school campus. About a year and a half later, he felt the prompting of the Holy Spirit to pursue a calling to worship ministry. Michael has been married to his beautiful wife Sara since May of 2019, and enjoys acoustic guitars, burritos, fish tacos, and coffee.
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Andy Fincher
Technical Director
Andy is the Technical Director of the Fellowship Church. He was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas and lived there until halfway through middle school, when his family moved to Collinsville, Texas, where he has spent the majority of his life. Andy is the youngest of three kids, and most definitely the coolest of the three. Andy uprooted his whole life in North Texas and moved to the Round Rock area. He had been working as a graphic designer in a family run print shop for a decade while faithfully serving at his former church for 22 years as the Director of Tech Arts.
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Andrew Allison
Technical Director
Gray Mitteness
Student Pastor
Gray was born and raised in Round Rock TX. He has attended the Fellowship for as long as he can remember! He was saved when he was 7 years old after hearing the gospel at VBS. Gray is the Student Pastor at the Fellowship and loves getting to help raise up the next generation to be passionate followers of Jesus. Gray has been married to Nicole since 2022. Gray loves to watch football, read a good book, and play video games in his free time. Gray’s favorite thing about God is that God is sovereign over all and is working out His perfect plan in His perfect timing.
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Nolan O'Conner
Hutto Student Pastor
Nolan O’Conner is the Student Minister at the Hutto Campus. He was born in Greentown Indiana and raised by two wonderful missionary parents that raised him to know and love Jesus, people, and ministry. At 13, God gave him a calling and a heart for ministry that would inspire and guide his decisions to pursue bible college and full time ministry. In high school his family was called to love and minister to the homeless of Hawai’i, a place that would challenge and grow his faith in God and where he would meet his wife, Corinne. Nolan, his wife, and their son, Titus, moved from Honolulu, Hawai’i to Hutto in 2018, where God provided a place, purpose, family, and home in the Fellowship. As the Student pastor Nolan is excited and passionate about reaching the next generation for Christ and helping students grow to be more like Him. He enjoys finding new places to drink good coffee and eat good food with his wife, going on nature walks with his son, and playing board games with his friends.
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Jason Mathieu
Middle School Pastor
Jason was born and raised in Southern California, and grew up attending non-denominational churches most of his life. His gave his life to Jesus as his king when he was 14 years old, after God had been working on his heart throughout his Middle School years. Since then he has worked for para-church ministries, been a short term missionary in Belize, pastored the Middle School ministry at his home church, and was a Sergeant in the Army as an Infantryman. Jason has been married to his best friend from Bible College, Sarah, since 2016, and they have 3 boys together. When he has free time he loves training and teaching Martial Arts, shooting, doing outdoor activities, and playing video games. He loves most of all working with people and discipling others in walking a real Biblical true life with and for Jesus!
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Amy Payton
KiDS Director
Amy is the Children’s Director at the Fellowship Church. She is married to James Payton and has three children: Kynzie, Joby, and Elijah. She loves watching soccer and playing board games with friends and family. Amy and James joined the Fellowship family in 2012, and she has been on staff since 2015. Amy is passionate about teaching and discipling the next generation of Christ followers.
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Kristina Smith
Associate KiDS Director
Kristina is the Associate KiDS Director at The Fellowship Church. She has been married to her high school sweetheart since 1994 and is the mom of two grown children living their best lives. She enjoys mountain biking with her husband, playing with her dogs, and sharing Jesus and His love with all of the kids and people in her world.
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Valerie Borkowski
Round Rock Elementary Coordinator
Valerie Borkowski is the Elementary Coordinator at the Round Campus. She has been married to her high school sweetheart Matt since 2004. They are raising three awesome kids: Lilly, Greta, and Jake. The Borkowski family has been attending The Fellowship since 2011 and love serving and living life along with their church family. Valerie loves everything outdoors and is passionate about making sure that every child knows how loved and valued they are by Jesus.
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Jennie Neal
Taylor KiDS Coordinator
Jennie is the KiDS Coordinator at the Taylor campus. She is married to Drew Neal, her firefighter husband, and together, they have three children: Grady, Andee Kate, and Harlan. Her loves include sunflowers, chickens, and fishing. They have been at the Fellowship since 2018 and love it! Jennie desires to set strong examples for children and help parents make this journey fun and exciting.
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Megan Geske
Round Rock Preschool Coordinator
Megan is the Preschool Coordinator at the Fellowship Round Rock Campus. She is married to Dean Geske, and they have four children. Megan loves homeschooling her children, staying active through hiking, biking, running, and weight training, and exploring the greater Austin area with friends. During her free time, she loves reading God’s word, cooking, and tending to her garden. She is passionate about impacting the lives of children and their families for Jesus!
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Jesse Lawrence
Hutto Elementary Coordinator
Jesse Lawrence is the Elementary Coordinator at the Fellowship Hutto Campus. Married to Chad Lawrence, she has two children, Addison and Riley. Jesse finds joy in camping, dancing, and drawing. Her passion lies in guiding children on their faith journey, empowering them to apply the teachings and principles of Jesus to their everyday lives.
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Melissa Carter
Hutto Preschool Coordinator
Melissa is the Preschool Coordinator at the Hutto Campus. She and her family have been coming to The Fellowship Church since the summer of 2021 and have loved it since the first Sunday they attended. Her and her husband, Aaron, have been married since 2003 and have two boys, Levi and Trenton. They are a home-school family who loves living in the country and they enjoy any activity where they get to be together. Melissa has a passion for bringing the light of Jesus to the little hearts in preschool and seeing families grow together in their faith.
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Rocky Bush
Communications Director
Rocky Bush is the Communications Director and loves working for The Fellowship Church. Rocky didn't grow up knowing Jesus, but in high school a friend invited her to the Harvest Crusade put on by Greg Laurie. Rocky heard the gospel and was forever changed. She graduated with a communications degree from the University of Evansville in 2009 where she also played soccer. Her and her husband, Austin, have attended The Fellowship since 2013. Here, she has co-lead groups, completed the Equip course, and currently serves and teaches at The Well. Rocky spent a decade in the bowling industry. A random fact, yes, but it was in those ten years that God prepared her specifically for this role. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with family including their son Merrick, running, being creative, and hanging with friends.
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Noel Gonzales
Graphics & Videography
Noel was born and raised in Seguin, TX. At the age of 18, he moved to sunny San Diego California with the goal of one day working for Pixar but God had other plans. Half way through his schooling, he heard God calling him to a life of ministry. Since 2008, Noel has worked at various churches, serving with his creative gifts in design, multimedia, and music. Along with his wife and daughter, the whole family is excited to put roots down in Round Rock!
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Rachelle Garcia
Communications Manager
Rachelle has many interests and is curious to try new things! She loves history and finds that most things in life can be put into perspective by learning how others lived. She really enjoys stories and often finds herself immersed in novels. Rachelle loves to read both fiction and nonfiction, and her stack of reading topics changes frequently. She is a self-proclaimed foodie and loves to try new restaurants.
A brief history of Rachelle's life begins in Colorado, where she was born. She spent a great deal of her childhood moving between Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. In 2012, Rachelle moved to Texas from Washington State and started to attend The Fellowship within a week of settling in Round Rock. Her undergraduate degree is in Marketing, and she is currently studying for her Master’s in Christian Counseling.
Rachelle has two children, Madilynn and Hunter, who bring endless joy to her life. She has held various positions on staff throughout the years and has enjoyed each opportunity to serve her Church family. Rachelle is privileged to call The Fellowship Church her home.
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Don Dye
Care Pastor
Born in Corpus Christi, TX, Don Dye grew up loving Jesus and sports. He met Sue while attending Abilene Christian University, where he ran track. Don and Sue married, and God gave them two children, Danna and Dale. Don’s aptitude for sports led him to coach basketball and track in Abilene. His ministry began as a chaplain for the Harris County Sheriff Department. Later, he served as the first full-time chaplain for the Houston Astros baseball and the Houston Oilers football teams. His love for Jesus led Don to pastor several churches in the Houston area and plant churches in various Texas cities. While planting churches, he subsidized his income with a computer graphic business and was banking vice-president over marketing, advertising, and security. In the early 2000s, Don and Sue moved to the Austin area, where he served as lead chaplain for the Round Rock Police Department for 13 years. Now he is privileged to lead the Care Ministry and Prime Timers here at The Fellowship Church.
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Ron Roth
Fellowship Academy - Head of School
Ron Roth became the first Head of School for the Fellowship Christian Academy beginning in June of 2021. Prior to coming to the F.C.A. he served as principal of Legacy Early College high School in Taylor, Texas. Ron had been in education for 31 years prior to coming to the F.C.A. His experience, aside from being a principal, includes teaching and coaching. He received his undergraduate degree in History from the University of Tulsa and his masters degree in Educational Administration from Lamar University. Additionally, he has been active in church ministry and leadership roles. Central Texas has been home for him and his family for the past 35 years. He and his wife Vicki enjoy being with their children and grandchildren on Saturday morning coffee get-togethers.
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Heather Clyburn
Fellowship Academy - Executive Preschool Director
Heather Clyburn is the Director at the Fellowship Preschool Academy (FPA) in Hutto. Heather has worked in early childhood education for a number of years and has been with FCA since 2016. Her career started as a classroom teacher, so she embraces the full spectrum of her role. Heather is a servant leader respected by direct reports, peers, and parents. Her two younger children were both students at the Fellowship Round Rock campus when she coordinated a local chapter of MOPS. Heather’s oldest daughter has followed in her footsteps and teachers at the Round Rock campus. Heather has an associate’s degree in business finance from Monterey Peninsula College in Monterey, California, where she was born and raised. She has a strong faith & background in ministry which has cultivated a love for serving children and families. In her spare time, Heather enjoys cooking, water activities, relaxing with friends, adventuring with her four children, and hunting. Don’t under-estimate her ability to hit a target.
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Jennie Castaneda
Hutto Preschool Academy Director
Jennifer Castaneda moved to Austin in 2004 from Colorado, where she was born and raised. She married Felipe in 2011 and they were both blessed with two children, Emma and Evan. They have been attending The Fellowship Church since 2017. Jennifer has worked in early childhood education for a number of years and is very involved with Pflugerville ISD. She is a respected leader by her peers, students and parents. Her passion for preschoolers is profound. Jennifer desires to share the love of Jesus and thrives for a fun, safe and nurturing environment for all staff and students. Jennie started working at The Fellowship Academy in 2019. In her free time, Jennifer loves to explore the outdoors, spend quality time with her family, and loves to volunteer for the community.
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Claudia Whitehead
Administrative Assistant
Claudia has been honored to worked for The Fellowship church since 1997 and has attended the church since 1986, at the time there was only 75 members. She got saved right before joining the Fellowship. She grew up in the church, but didn't come to know Jesus truly until she heard the gospel while watching the 700 club. Something that she had heard all her life finally clicked, and she was forever changed by recognizing God's gracious and good love for her. Claudia has been married for 40 yrs to Mr. Jim who also works for The Fellowship. They have two boys, both married and living in Hutto, Josh & Tanaya and Jordan & Kate. Claudia enjoys her two little Dachshunds Zoey & Bella and going camping in their 1981 camper that Mr. Jim refurbished.
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Jim Whitehead
Facilities Manager
Mr Jim has worked at church since 1998 and truly enjoys his job. He and his wife, Claudia has been married since 1981 and have 2 sons and 2 daughter in laws (Josh and Tanaya & Jordan and Kate) and a grand daughter (Evie). Mr Jim likes old trucks and enjoys working on his in his spare time.
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Wresha Rhoderick
Adult Ministry Admin
Wresha is the Administrative Assistant for The Fellowship Adult Ministries. She came to the Fellowship in 2013 and has since served in the Preschool Ministry, Women's Ministry and the all important Cafe. She is the mother of three amazing children and Mimiz to three incredible grandchildren. In her free time she loves traveling, reading and spending time with her family. Sunrise is her favorite time of day as it reminds her of the faithfulness of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
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Lynne Kettle
Financial Administrator
Lynne has lived in Round Rock since 2000 and has been a member of The Fellowship Church since 2001. She studied Accounting at Cal State Fullerton and spent 20 years with an Investment Management Company, mostly working in Construction Accounting, prior to joining The Fellowship staff as the Financial Administrator in April, 2023. She is married to Brent and they have 3 AMAZING boys and 2 collies. In her spare time, Lynne loves to spend time with friends and family, go to the beach, read, decorate anything and cheer on the Aggies alongside her “fanatic” family. She is thrilled to “finally” be a staff member at The Fellowship and considers it a true blessing to work alongside all of these AWESOME people!
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Greg Lapum
Admin Assistant
Greg grew up in Northern California and broke out as soon as he could. It only took him 58 years! He and his wife, Penny, moved to Texas early in 2018, and convinced their daughter and her family to move to Round Rock, as well. Greg worked for a large insurance company for nearly 40 years before retiring at the end of 2020. He and his family have been attending The Fellowship Round Rock campus since July 2019. Greg has served on the Cafe team, the Communications team, and the Production team. He is excited to join the staff and further the Gospel. Greg and Penny have a son, a daughter, and three granddaughters who keep them busy, along with running an online business. Retirement? What's that?
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Fellowship Elders
The Fellowship operates under a plurality of leadership: Elders, staff and shepherds. Our elders shepherd and govern our entire church body. Elders are extremely important to the health of the Fellowship. Without our Elders, we would not be able to function as a healthy body of believers.
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