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Meet our " GRACE" Team !
Women at Calvary
GRACE- Leaders
Meet our team
Meet our " grace" ministry team-
hover over image to read a Bio !
Christy Michaels- Director: Christy Michaels was raised in Los Angeles, California by her activist mother and psychiatrist father. In 1979 at the age of 18 she accepted the Lord's promise of salvation and submitted herself to His calling. She married Terry Michaels and they began their life of ministry together in 1980. Christy has served and ministered alongside Pastor Terry for the last 30 years. They served for nine years in youth ministry at Calvary Chapel San Bernardino. The Michaels were called to the mission field where Terry began a youth and college ministry and Christy began the Frau zu Frau women’s ministry at Calvary Chapel Siegen, Germany ('95-'97). Upon returning to the U.S. they followed His calling to plant Calvary Chapel of the Springs in San Marcos, Texas ('97-2010). In January of 2010, through a redirection of the Holy Spirit, they bid farewell to their church family of thirteen years when Terry was asked to assume the senior pastorate at Calvary Chapel Austin. Christy leads the “Grace” Women’s Ministry at Calvary Austin. She enjoys leading women’s mission teams which facilitate free conferences for the women of Mexico, and she is involved in jail ministry through a curriculum written by the women’s ministry at Calvary Austin called “Illustrating the Psalms.” Christy also coordinates the Outreach Ministry at Calvary Austin, which is designed to reach their community by supporting local schools and non-profit organizations with collection drives and work projects. Christy lives in Round Rock, Texas with her husband of 35 years. She has two daughters and a granddaughter, Tilly, who thinks she is “the best thing that has ever happened.”
Carol NIcks: Carol was born and raised in Southern California and became a Christian at age 17 after she was invited to a concert at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. She attended Calvary Chapel Bible College at Twin Peaks, before moving to Texas to attend college in 1979. While in college, Carol met and married her husband, Glendon, in 1982. The couple have 2 daughters, Katie and Lauren, who were raised in the ministry, and they celebrate the addition of 2 amazing son-in-laws and 3 precious grand children to their family. Glendon and Carol started attending and serving at Calvary Austin in 1992 when the ministry began with a handful of believers. Her husband is an assistant pastor, elder and board member. Carol serves in the Women's Ministry, Guest Services and the Jail Ministry. She has a Master's Degree in Social Work and is employed as a medical social worker at a local hospital. Carol's passion is the Word of God and extending God's grace to the lost.
Sandra Verastegui I was born and raised in Chihuahua Mexico. I was raised in a home of five kids (I am the second) where my mother prayed for us every day. She taught me to fear the Lord, to pray and to read the bible by her example. Even though I grew up going to church, I came to accept the Lord with all my heart when I was 17 years old, I remember praying early in the morning to God asking him to help me change, to be different, and I told Him the desires of my heart. (You know the desires of a 17 years old girl?) Yes, a few months later I met my husband Robert. We have been married for 23 years now! We have 4 kids, Gabby, Tiger, Rachel and Nathan. They are a blessing to us, and we know that God has a beautiful purpose for their lives. I also have a 3 year old grandson, Michael, he is smart, sweet and energetic. I have been part of the Calvary Austin family for 16 years, serving the Lord in different ministries. I am so thankful to the Lord for all He has done, for what He is doing and what He is going to do in my life. DIOS ES BUENO!
Helen July - I was born and raised in California. I was saved at the age of 17. I walked away from The Lord when I was 28 and came back at the age of 34. In June of 2011 I moved to Texas with my husband Marvel and our son Marcel (9yrs old). In October 2013 my niece Tashianna moved here to Taxes to live with us. My son and I started attending Calvary shortly after we moved here. I now serve in the Children’s and Women’s Ministries.
Gale Swearingen: I grew up in a tiny town in rural Missouri. There were lots of things to explore and my grandmother raised all kinds of animals from cows and chickens to goats and rabbits. I moved to Texas after I married my awesome husband Craig. We have a son who is a Senior Chief in the U.S. Navy. He is married to my favorite daughter in law Jenny and they have two children, Matthew and Maggie (15 & 13). They are currently stationed in Hawaii which is too far away for this grandma. Even though I was raised in church it wasn’t until we moved to Texas God got a hold of me. I always knew about God but from afar. It was Christian programming on TV God used to finally help me realize I was truly lost and in need of a Savior. God had pursued me for decades and never gave up on me. The enemy had made feel secure in my religion but God opened my eyes to his tricks. My husband Craig and I have been attending Calvary Austin since 1995. God is so good.
Chandra Lewis Chandra Lewis, born and raised in Orange County, CA. I was raised in a Christian home, but rebellious at heart. During the 70s Jesus People movement I was taken to many concerts, movies and revival meetings during which the Holy Spirit convicted and drew me. At one revival while I was still in grade school I could hardly hold on the the chair I was sitting in and finally gave in and went forward at the altar call. The Spirit had to woo me a couple more times as a teen before I would truly allow Him to be the Lord of my life. I married Chuck Lewis in my early twenties and we had 5 children, (one girl and 4 boys) together, all of which I home schooled. I have one yet to graduate and have two rambunctious granddaughters by my daughter.
Kristen Files My name is Kristen Files. I was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. I asked the Lord into my heart at a very young age however, I did not understand what it meant to live a life for Jesus, and not myself, until a bit later in life when my first daughter was born. It was only then that I began to find joy and fulfillment where the Lord had me. I have been married to Jace Files for 15 years now. We got together when we were 14 years old! We have 4 wonderful (yes, I am biased) children ages 13, 10, 8, and 5. I am a homeschooling mother and currently teach the 8th grade class in the home-school group we are a part of. We have attended Calvary Chapel Plano since our first child was born and recently moved to the Austin area. We are excited to see what God has in store for us here. I really love napping, reading books, cooking and anything at all to do with natural health and farm fresh foods.
Katie Standefer- I was born in Temple, TX, grew up in Georgetown, and now live in Round Rock! I started attending Calvary Austin in the early 90's with my parents and have spent the last 20 years growing in and with the church. I met my husband, Jim, while we both attended youth group at Calvary Austin. However, we didn't have "romantic eyes" for one another until years later while Jim was at Texas A&M (Gig 'Em!) and I was at UT (Hook 'Em!) We have two children: Leah (7th grade) and Brody(2nd grade.) Jim is involved in Men's Ministry and Ushering, while I am involved in Children's and Women's ministry. Jim is a mechanical engineer in Cedar Park and I am a Group Fitness instructor at the YMCA in Round Rock and Hutto. My passions include serving wherever needed, working with kids, and digging into God's Word!
Suzanne Howard Suzanne was born in Detroit and raised in a nearby suburb. She grew up in a religious family but not in a faith that taught eternal security or a personal relationship with God. She accepted Jesus as her Savior while attending a church plant in Hartford Connecticut, she was 34 years old. It's been an exhilarating adventure with Him since then. She is married to Alan and together they have 2 boys and 2 girls.
Tegan Puran- I was born in Santa Clara, California and raised just outside of Sacramento, California at the base of the Sierra Mountain foothills. I am married to Raj Puran and we have been blessed with 5 beautiful daughters, ages 13, 10, 5 and taking up the caboose are identical 3 year old Twincesses. We moved to Austin almost 3 years ago after the Lord's leading. I was born into a family with a mom who was raised in Catholic school and an agnostic father. There wasn't a much if any religion in the house. I came to know Jesus when I was 12 through a friend at school who invited me to the Youth Group her family ran. I attended Bible studies and accepted the Lord as my Savior shortly after. I sadly fell away without the necessary family support and being too young to drive myself to Bible Study after moving away from that town. I met Raj, who was a non practicing Hindu at the time, when I was just turning 19. We were married a few years later and after our first daughter was born the Lord started speaking to me... And not so quietly ;) After some rough times my husband was saved and I recommitted my life to the Lord in 2003. I'm so very thankful for those times in the fire and those that have refined me since.
Andrea Lockley: I was raised in the small Quaker town of Whittier, California where instead of a gas station on every corner, there was a church on every corner. At the age of 18 I met and fell in love with Tom Lockley, and we were married 8 months later, We have three sons and one daughter; ten grandchildren and two great granddaughters. We were married 52 years when the Lord took him home. I have no memory of a time of not knowing and loving the Lord. He has always been there. He has always lovingly and gently showed me my errors (as much as I could handle at a time) and strengthened and encouraged me. I could never have walked, talked, or breathed without Him. He is my everything. When I was two years old, He lovingly filled my heart with joy rather than sorrow when my great grandmother died to this life. He showed my a vision and she was with Him along with many others that were unknown to me. But my Great grandmother was smiling and happy, In the vision, I was coming too. I would see my great grandmother again. It was not a vision of what Heaven truly looked like and I was a child when I arrived at that blessed place. Our loving Father gave me a vision that I could understand at age two. I understood enough that my arrival was still in the future. That vision has stayed in my mind and heart all these years
Rachel Velarde I was born in Yuma, Arizona and raised in Paramount, California until I was 14 years old. I then moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, with my family, where I lived for the next 20 years and where I met my husband Jaime Velarde. We have been married for 11 years and have two daughters who are two years apart (ages 4 and 6), but often get mistaken for twins. I have been a stay at home mom since our move to Austin in 2006 and homeschool both our 1st grader and preschooler. In July of 2007 I gave my life to The Lord during a service in what is now my home church of Calvary Austin. In the beginning of my walk and relationship with Jesus, I never felt comfortable calling Him Lord, but now know and trust who is Lord over my life. This was made clear to me in 2009 when I heard a bible commentary on Luke 8:43- 48 about the bleeding woman who desperately wanted to be made clean. Not only was she healed, but was called His daughter. I quickly identified with her in wanting to touch and be on my way, but Jesus stopped me, looked me in my face and called me His daughter. It is my joy to serve in different ministries where I get to witness iron sharping iron.
Mary Angulo – Mary has been attending Calvary Austin since September 2013. She previously attended Shoreline Church, New Hope (HI), Hawaikai Community Church, and Mission Hills Christian Center (CA). She accepted Jesus to be her Lord and Savior on April 7, 1990. God has healed her in many ways and serves to honor God and follow His will! Currently she is involved in the prayer ministry, facilitating the Making Peace with Your Past groups, and Women’s Missions Group at Calvary. She also serves as a trainer and facilitator for Celebrate Recovery (5yrs), homeless ministry, bible study group, and Bible Study Fellowship (BSF). Previously, she has served as a Therapon Spiritual Counselor, the prayer communion, and jail ministries; and facilitated groups to help women receive inner healing.
Hi, my name is Kellie Mendoza and I was raised in Austin Texas by a single mom. She remarried when I was twelve and it was a very hard transition, the outcome has been a blessing with my step dad. I was raised in a Christian home; the first time I remember the Holy Spirit tugging on my heart was when I was eight years old. It was during an alter call when I walked forward and received the love of Jesus in my heart, and was baptized. As a teenager I went thru some hard times without the presence of my dad, but God has always convicted me when I was not living in his will. I met the love of my life in high school while working together and later married. We now have been married 21 yrs. and have 2 boys, Justin 19 and Ben 17 and we have lived in Pflugerville for 15 years. I enjoy the outdoors with my family and have been a pre-school teacher for many years; we served as preschool coordinators at our former church. Since coming to Calvary in 2011 I have been involved in VBS and the women’s bible studies. The word of God and the support of other women thru prayer have helped me thru the storms in the last year with losing my dad and some health issues I have grown in my Faith and trusting God, knowing that He has a purpose and a plan and I know that He will see me through anything. Keeping my eyes on Him!
In 1942 I was born in Rochester, New York. Alcoholic, very critical Dad, Mom was sad, depressed most of the time. We moved to Anaheim, CA. when I was 16what a culture shock! I had gone to Catholic schools all my lifeI hated the change, hated my life. I got married at 18, 3 kids later at 23 I divorced. This was in the mid1960s and I fell right into the hippie lifestyle. I worked in various restaurants, bars and nightclubs, even a short stint as a “gogo” dancer until the costumes got too revealing(my Catholic upbringing). Bad things happened to me and I decided to say “yes” to the next halfway decent guy who proposed marriage so I had someone to protect me and my family. I married Jake in 1972 after a 3 week courtship not even realizing he had a drinking problem. He was such a great guy when he wasn’t drunk, but scary when he was. I left him many times, always believing his never again promises. He at one point decided he did not want me working crazy hours so I went back to school, began working in Medical offices in an administrative capacity. I now had the means to support myself and kids, and had actually filed for divorce. A friend from work had been sharing her faith in Jesus. On March 11, 1980 she invited me to a special meeting at her churchI agreed to go since I didn’t want to go home. For the first time I heard the gospel messageI could not go forward fast enough! So many miracles have happened since that day! My life is full of the Lord’s peace and joy. I am so blessed!