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Elders & Deacons

Meet the leaders who oversee and serve our church body.

Elders

Our Elders strive to guard our church’s doctrine and guide our members according to the will of the Holy Spirit.
Elders & Deacons

Shelby Hanks

(Chairman)
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Shelby Hanks

I grew up in a family that instilled honor, personal integrity and a strong work ethic. I trusted Christ in my early twenties and my life changed. A strong faith and a strong marriage require a desire to learn and grow. Through this process the Lord has created in me a heart for the discipleship of men. I have lived and worked in different countries, but two things are always the same; men need Jesus and leadership skills. 

My wife, Alicia, and I have been married for 42 years and have two Aggie daughters, one Aggie son-in-law, and one wayward Longhorn son-in-law. We also have five grandchildren and three godchildren. Loving all these youngsters is the highlight of our lives. We are truly blessed.

Elders & Deacons

Thomas Vanover

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Thomas Vanover

I grew up in an Army family, the youngest of six children.  We did not regularly attend church.  We settled down in Aledo in 1983, when I was in elementary.  Growing up had some difficulties, but at the end of the day there was always love, and family was very important. 

At the age of 15, I began dating my future bride, Kristie. At that point in my life I was unsaved and had a significant list of questions that “had to be answered” before I could come to the Lord.  Then there was a season of searching and God put a couple of godly men in my life who were great examples of “real men” who put God first. In a beautiful moment, Faith came into my heart and those questions simply disappeared. I committed my life to Christ my senior year of high school.

Kristie and I had children early in our marriage, and we had some very difficult years. I worked long, hard hours, and it took a toll.  I was not the spiritual leader of our household that I am called to be. The Lord broke my heart to this on one Easter morning while working, instead of being with my family. It was on that day that I prayed for strength and guidance to lead and love my family well. 

My relationships at Trinity Bible Church started with service and the Lord gives me great joy in serving.  Getting plugged in was pivotal to fellowship and moving forward in my spiritual walk. The Lord has used my past experiences and failures to create a passion to walk beside men so that they might not experience the same hurts that I have. My prayer is that the Lord turns wounds of this life into scars, leaving a reminder and the ability to point others to the Cross, and how Christ can heal even the deepest hurts.

1 Corinthians 16:13-14: “Be on alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.  All that you do must be done in love.”    

Isaiah 30:21: “Your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, ‘this is the way, walk in it,’ whenever you turn to the right or to the left.”

Kristie and I were married in 1994. The Lord has blessed us with two children: Elizabeth is a hard-working young lady, pursuing a career as a dispatcher; Thomas is a firefighter/paramedic. He married Amanda in 2015, and blessed us with our first grandchild, Tommy, in 2021. 

In our spare time we enjoy camping, time outdoors, and spending time with family.

Elders & Deacons

Dennis Connelly

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Dennis Connelly

I was born in Lockport, NY, near Buffalo, but grew up from the age of 5 in Fort Worth, in a large Catholic family. I attended Catholic schools K-12, but even from an early age, I always felt spiritually, something was missing. I left the Catholic church during my college years. I met my wife, Becky, in Physical Therapy school in 1975 and we married in August 1977. Over the years I was always active in churches, but it took many years for me to truly know what a relationship with Jesus meant. It was on a Walk to Emmaus that my life was changed, as I finally understood what Romans 8:1 meant (my life verse), heard the Gospel clearly for the first time, and began my journey of a transformed life with Jesus Christ! My wife and I began looking for a church that taught the truth of the Bible, and after a search in the “Yellow Pages” (no Siri back then) we stumbled into Trinity Bible Church and began our walk here. A few years later, the Lord led us to leadership positions in other churches, and I was also blessed to be able to obtain a Masters Degree in Biblical Studies from Dallas Seminary. One of our greatest joys was planting a church with our son and pastoring alongside of him. Over the years my wife and I have been involved in premarital mentoring, and I have always had a heart to meet with and disciple men. We also love hanging out with non-believers, as the Lord has placed many in our lives. We returned to TBC in 2016 and hope to finish our walk to eternity here. 

Becky and I have 3 adult, married children and 9 grandchildren whom we greatly enjoy! I still practice Physical Therapy full time, in the Weatherford/Aledo area. My hobbies include gardening, cooking/grilling, and kayaking. 

It is a privilege, and I am humbled and honored to serve you as one of the elders here at TBC.

Elders & Deacons

James Frailey

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James Frailey

I grew up in a small town in northern Michigan, the fourth son of a country doctor. Although I was brought up in a church environment, it wasn’t until my junior year at Texas A&M that I learned how to joyfully follow Jesus. This happened by a friend challenging me to memorize 2 Cor. 5:17. This verse says that those who are in Christ become new creations, the old life is gone and replaced with a completely new life.  The truth of that verse penetrated my soul and I began to seriously follow Jesus—spending daily time with Him, seeking to know Him and making Him known.

Following college, I began working as an engineer and soon met the love of my life, Paige, and we married in 1991. We have two grown children: Hannah who lives and works in Fort Worth; and Asher along with his new wife, Claire, also lives in Fort Worth and works as a college minister at TCU.

A few years ago, I shelved my calculator and retired from a 30-year aerospace engineering career. I invest my time now, shepherding and teaching at TBC, sharing Christ’s love with international students at Weatherford College with Paige, and building mid-century modern furniture in my shop.

Elders & Deacons

Jon Sherman

Pastor Emeritus

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Jon Sherman

I originally grew up along the east coast as a “Navy brat,” but then my dad’s business moved us to Texas in 1976.  During the summer before my junior year of high school, I heard the gospel for the first time at a Young Life camp and put my faith in the Savior, Jesus Christ.  And there’s been “no turning back” ever since!

I met my wife, Beth, during our freshman year of college at TCU. She immediately knew we were going to get married. (How do you ladies know these kinds of things?!) But it took me eight years to finally figure it out. Yep. We have two children: Emily, a grad student in North Carolina, and Jacob, a student-athlete at ETBU.

After finishing college, the Lord pretty much closed every other door except attending seminary. It was also at that time that I accepted a position as the college pastor at McKinney Memorial Bible Church (now Doxology). After completing a couple of master’s degrees from Dallas Theological Seminary and serving at McKinney for seven years, I then accepted the calling to head west and become the Senior Pastor here at TBC. That was in May of 1999. Phew, it’s been a piece!  And, it’s been an awesome ride! I’ve given the best years of my life to this church family; and I have no regrets. 

Elders & Deacons

Eric P. Kuykendall, PhD.

Senior Pastor

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Eric P. Kuykendall, PhD.

Growing up as a preacher’s kid, I, like many kids who grew up in the church, knew a lot about Jesus, but it wasn’t until the summer of 1995 that I KNEW Jesus. As a high school student that summer, I became fully aware of my sin and the need for forgiveness. From that day forward, I sensed a calling to be a pastor and went on to pursue three academic degrees to help prepare me practically and theologically.

Along the way, I’ve been blessed to have numerous individuals counsel, mentor, and shape me through my many ups and downs. A Scripture that has been especially important to me is Philippians 1:20-21 that reads, “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” While I enjoy being a pastor, I hope to live in a way that my greatest joy is to know Jesus and live for Him.

In 2002, I was blessed to marry my beautiful wife, Courtney. As a mother of three, attorney, and volunteer at our children’s school, she’s quite active, but she always finds time and enjoys cooking for our family and hosting gatherings with friends. Together, we enjoy traveling and simply spending time together. Our oldest, Pearson (13) is outgoing, enjoys the outdoors and is always up for a John Wayne movie. Eric Parker (11) is thoughtful, plays soccer, and gets a good laugh at slap-stick comedy. Libby Louise (8) may be our youngest, but she’s full of personality, a born leader, and loves playing board/card games. Our hope for our children is that they come “to consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Phil. 4:8). If asked to summarize my family, I would say we are one tight knit family.

Deacons

Our Deacons serve and minister to the practical needs of the church body.
Elders & Deacons

Eric Painter

(Chairman)
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Eric Painter

I think sometimes we take our relationships for granted. Both with our friends and with God the Father through Jesus Christ. I was fortunate to be raised in a bible-teaching, church-attending family. I accepted Jesus as my Savior when I was a young boy. Growing up, I had an understanding of the power of God, of prayer, and of praying for someone. My parents, especially my father, was involved in our church and conducted bible studies with family and friends. I personally had great mentors. However, all of those blessings do not guarantee a consistent relationship with God. I would later learn that it is a choice – an intentional effort – just like marriage. 

Born in west Texas and raised in Fort Worth, I grew up with a circle of friends and family. That time in life was a blessing. Both my wife Marty and I graduated from TCU. I was busy, working, and I wanted to have fun. To do things. I knew I was saved in Christ Jesus, and so I thought I was good to go. I married my high school sweetheart, and we began life.  My wife, Marty, was a deaf education teacher, and I worked in corporate real estate. After leaving the churches where we grew up, we did not find a replacement church and did not make time for God.  After moving to Weatherford, we would attend a church every now and then, but we never found one that ‘felt right’. I regret that. Looking back at mistakes I made or choices that were wrong, and now knowing that it is critical to be around a fellowship of families, men, and women as you grow and mature; I know it would have made a difference. I honestly believe it would have altered my life for the better and allowed me to avoid struggles, pitfalls, and wrongdoings. My wife is a ‘superhero’ and is as resilient as she is kindhearted. I can tell you from experience that being a good husband, father, and friend does not happen by accident. It takes work and being humble enough to learn.

It wasn’t until we were blessed with knowing that our son, Henry John, was on the way that we realized we needed to find Our Church. Our first visit to Trinity Bible Church felt comfortable. Friendly faces, greetings and genuine welcomes made it easy, but then again, it was really a God thing.

May He get the credit for our discovery of this Church and the many friends, now lifelong friends, that we have been able to cultivate and preserve. TBC has been our home for eight years. We love Parker County, where we live, and the ‘village’ environment of the community. Being a great Church doesn’t just happen. Marty is a natural teacher and devotes herself to teaching young kids about the Bible. I have been blessed to be encouraged and discipled by our pastors and fellow deacons with accountability and encouragement.  Serving as Deacon Chairman and being part of the Men’s Council is a benefit for me spiritually, honing myself as Proverbs 27:17 describes, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”  Making time for Jesus Christ has become ingrained, and now feels like a necessity. For Trinity Bible to maintain healthy relationships with each other and with our Lord and Savior – to be a Church that we all need and want – takes commitment, time, and our own special talents. I would like my efforts to be a small part of the large goal in helping create fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

Elders & Deacons

Jeff Kalbfleisch

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Jeff Kalbfleisch

I was born in Buffalo, New York. Both my parents were morally upright people. They raised my younger sister, my older brother, and myself to be the same. We attended church fairly regularly, but not with a desire to grow in our relationship with Jesus.

I attended confirmation classes at First United Methodist Church of Hurst, but didn’t quite understand what a personal relationship with Jesus looked like until I joined Young Life at L.D. Bell High school. Jace Thompson was my leader and he guided me along the path to that relationship my junior and senior year.

The summer of 1985, I attended a YL camp at Frontier Ranch in Colorado. The last night we were there, Jace grabbed the microphone and spoke of the importance of fully committing ourselves to God. After he finished he asked for those who were ready to make their way down to the front. My butt was glued to the floor. I felt God tugging at me, but I wasn’t moving. I didn’t find this out until over 20 years later, when Jace and I went out to lunch. He said he felt God telling him to make a second alter call and he had me specifically in mind. If I had only listened to God the first time, I wouldn’t have been the only person standing at the foot of the stage the second time. My name back then was Catfish, it was shortened in college to just Fish. Jace said for the next 20 years he continued to have a second call and he called it the Catfish. 

After accepting Christ the summer before heading off to TWU to play basketball was a huge blessing. College life has a way of leading away from God not toward Him. I was not a saint in college but God put some young men around me to help keep me grounded. I still have a close friendship with many of my college teammates. Some of which I have the pleasure of mentoring still today.

Over the last 36 years, my relationship with God has continued to grow. I describe like a snowball on top of a mountain. Jace Thompson helped it to start rolling down and it is getting larger and is rolling faster everyday. It led my family and me to TBC 12 years ago. We were attending a mega church in Grapevine for quite a while and I felt God telling me it is time to stop drinking milk. So, I happened to know an elder at TBC and asked him to lunch. He had great things to say about Trinity and Jon Sherman. I told him at the church I attended for over 10 years; I had only met the pastor once by accident. He said I could meet with Sherm. Just call up the church and set an appointment. Five days later, I was sitting in Sherm’s old closet; I mean office with my legal pad of questions. He answered them all and the rest is history. 

Since joining TBC, my spiritual growth really began to pick up speed. Becoming a deacon years ago and being surrounded by godly men has been fantastic for my walk. James Frailey met with the deacons and helped us memorize scripture. Out of that came my life verse, John 14:21. I have done my best to live out that verse in my life. Jesus revealing Himself to me through my obedience is my greatest motivation.

Ministry touches every part of my life: from work to family to leisure to hobbies. Stephanie and I have been married for 28 years. We have two beautiful daughters: Erin (21) and Emma (20). We are an entrepreneurial family and have started and owned several businesses. All of which have been a platform for sharing our faith. We opened and ran two Curves for Women exercise facilities, ran a volleyball club, started a pool company, and currently run a construction company.

One of my favorite activities is playing basketball. I have played it my whole life. After graduating college, I played with a team called the “Shooting Stars.” Meadowlark Lemon, formerly of the Harlem Globetrotters, watched me play in a summer league and called my house that night, asking me to be a part of the team. It was a great honor to play with one of the greats of all time. I still play several times a week and use it as a way to share my faith with the men at the Fort Worth Club. 

To sum it all up, I was born June 13, 1967. God saved me July 25, 1985. I will continue to serve Him with all my heart, soul, mind, work, leisure, gifts, and talents until He calls me home.

Elders & Deacons

Scott McLaren

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Scott McLaren

The Lord Jesus Christ is the center of my life. In Christ, I find identity, purpose, and direction in service. I grew up all around the country and was on the East Coast for middle school and high school. After college, I served in the military and thankfully ended up here in Texas a number of years ago. I am married and have two adult children. During free time I enjoy taking care of the yard and exploring new empty nester adventures with my wife.

I live by Romans 12:2 to determine and live out God’s will each day. I look forward to meeting you soon and partnering with you in serving the Lord here at TBC. 

Elders & Deacons

Trey Sims

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Trey Sims

I grew up in Sealy, Texas a small town just outside of Houston. Raised in a Baptist church, I became a believer as a 4th grader and was baptized on my 10th birthday. Throughout high school, I was highly involved in sports and extracurriculars including football, golf, track, and debate. My college years were spent at Texas A&M in the Mechanical Engineering program and as a member of the Corps of Cadets.

It was my sophomore year at A&M, in management class, when I spotted a beautiful, curly-haired young lady who was answering all the professor’s questions. I leaned over to my buddy and whispered, “I’m going to marry that girl.”  By God’s grace, that happened a few years later.

Brooke and I were married in 1997, and after graduation we both worked professionally in the Houston area. We became involved in a small group at a local Baptist church. Our daughter, Hope, was born five years after we married, and almost two years later, our son Jace came along.

During college, I had wanted to join the military to be a pilot. Unfortunately, it didn’t look like there would be an opportunity to fly, so I turned toward a career in engineering and construction instead. But after the events of September 11th, my desire to fly and serve in the military began to stir up again. So, with a lot of prayer and with my young family in tow, I began my second, parallel career with the military.  Commissioned by the Texas Air National Guard, I spent three years full time in the military going through pilot training and F-16 school. 

Transitioning to the Air Force Reserves brought us to the Aledo area in 2008.  We had become adept at finding a church quickly during our multiple moves as a military family. The first time I heard Jon Sherman pray, I knew this was a man who knew God. We have been at Trinity Bible Church ever since. As many of you know, my wife, Brooke, is a phenomenal teacher and leads many women’s bible studies at TBC, as well as being involved in Bible Study Fellowship. I’ve served as a Deacon at TBC for close to a decade. Over time, it has become clearer that my spiritual gifts are serving and loving on other people. As a Deacon, I get to serve people by loving them, taking care of them, and making them feel welcome. I get to be the hands and feet of Jesus. The main thing that I love about TBC is that our church leadership is very faithful in seeking God’s will through the study of His Word.

Brooke and I now have two college-age kids and are figuring out this new empty-nester stage of life. In my spare time, you’ll find me traveling with my family, flying airplanes, and watching Aggie football. Gig ‘em!

Elders & Deacons

Josh Willour

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Josh Wilour

Hi, I’m Josh. I like coffee and you will always find me with a cup in my hand. I grew up living in many states across the U.S as a kid. My dad was an Arabian horse trainer and we moved often. I wasn’t raised in a Christian home and although I didn’t know God or the Gospel, I always felt His presence in my life. After our last move to Aledo, Texas I got involved in Young Life and accepted Christ as a sophomore in high school. 

I met my wife, Jennifer, in high school at 17 years old. We were both new Christians and we both desired to make God the center of our relationship from the beginning. We will be married 20 years this June and have two amazing kids. I graduated from Tarleton State University with a degree in Agriculture but felt God leading me to join the U.S. Army after college. I commissioned into the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant Combat Engineer and successfully completed the U.S. Army Sapper Leadership Course the following year. My Army career included a deployment to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

After the Army, I became a farrier in Parker County. Horses have been a livelihood for my family for generations and I’m humbled to carry this tradition on now as well. 

Being a follower of Christ, the best word I could use to describe it is—freedom. It sounds counter-productive I know to submit to Jesus to gain freedom, but the more you submit every area of your life to Him the freer you are. I try to use every opportunity God gives me, big or small, to encourage others to seek Him. God has allowed me to be in many situations, whether it was on a mission in Iraq, with an apprentice shoeing horses or with the awesome kids in MidHi on Wednesday nights, to spread His Goodness and Grace to those around me, not through words but by example. I consider this the greatest mission I could ever be given and I’m honored to serve alongside the body of Christ at TBC.

Elders & Deacons

Bryan Wagner

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Bryan Wagner

Elders & Deacons

Fred Sheppard

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Fred Sheppard

Elders & Deacons

Jim Glaub

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Jim Glaub

Elders & Deacons

Jason Coover

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Jason Coover

Elders & Deacons

Jim Suss

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Jim Suss