Elders (Overseers)
1 Timothy 3:1-7: Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
Doug Coalson
Doug has been an elder at UCC since 1998. His favorite part of the eldership has been the opportunity to meet so many amazing people and form lasting relationships.
“I am encouraged by our goal of being a church ‘for the city.’ I would like to see us continue reaching out to local youth and college students and having effective ministries in those areas.”
Doug has been married to Freda since 1966. They have three kids: Britt, Dane, and Piper.
Larry Hawkins
Larry has served as an elder since 1992. He loves to see God’s people acting out their lives as God’s people, and his goal is to see this attitude spread to everyone in our community.
Larry has been married to Kay since 1966 and has taught math in the public schools of Las Cruces for just as long. Larry and Kay have two daughters who are both married and live in Texas.
Robert Johnson
“I began my service as a University Church of Christ elder in 2002, after 30 years as an active member. My UCC involvement began – like many of our members – as a New Mexico State University student, when I was studying Accounting and Finance. My UCC activities began in working with teens and college students and continued with teaching adult bible classes. My service now includes teaching, ministry growth, and church finance.
“I am truly blessed by daily contact with our church members and the opportunity to be a friend and supporter to each one, according to their needs. Many have also been spiritual mentors to me through the years.
“Our UCC commitment to be ‘A Church For The City’ really says everything about my personal vision for our church family’s mission and future. I fully support our commitment to reaching outside our church building to bring in people who have all kinds of needs and, especially, those who still need Christ in their lives.
“I met my wife Paula right here at University Church of Christ in 1981. Paula is a Registered Nurse. She and I are a great team for our church service and in our lives. We have two grown sons, Jared and Joel.”
Tomás Pérez
Tomás became an elder of UCC in December of 2010. He takes seriously his responsibility for God’s people, and rejoices in the opportunity to intercede between God and his church.
Tomás’ goal for UCC is for its members to represent Jesus Christ as their foundation and cornerstone – that they will be for the people of this community and continue to look more like Jesus and work and serve in his Body. “My vision is to spread the gospel of Christ to imitate his example, cherish his Spirit, and make known his gospel to others.”
Tomás has been married to Yolanda since 1978. They have three daughters and a growing number of grandchildren.
Roger Odom
Roger has been an elder of UCC since 1991. He enjoys time spent with his fellow elders and his relationship with the ministers and members of the church. His goal is simple: to have the church reach out to the lost of Las Cruces and bring them to Christ.
Roger has been married to Sharon since 1968 and had four sons. Scott and his wife Jo live in Clovis. Greg and his wife Tami live here in Las Cruces and are active members of UCC. Bruce and his wife Samantha live in High Rolls. Their fourth son, Richard, died in a hiking accident in 2005.
church4thecity, las cruces church, new mexico church
