Leadership
John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Rick Wylie
Rick’s background as a Worship leader began in 1996 at Church of the Nazarene working to create a contemporary service for the church. The challenge was to transition the church from hymnal based music to contemporary praise and worship music. Rick served in the First Methodist Church of Arlington, Texas as music director of the contemporary service from 2000 to 2003 and then moved to the Assembly of God where he continued his endeavors in contemporary praise and worship music. Rick has served in two non-denominational churches as interim worship leader while transitioning them to contemporary praise and worship services. In 2010 Rick was introduced to a corporate health provider for God’s children with special needs. Rick, having learned that the sixty plus clients of the special needs facility had no church, formed Texas Friendship Ministries, Inc. The goal was to provide a structured worship service for people with special needs by developing a tailored curriculum of bible study integrated with contemporary praise and worship music. In 2011 Oakcrest Family Church in Kennedale invited the Texas Friendship Ministry to become a part of its congregation. This opened up a new dimension for Rick’s special needs group to engage in fellowship with people outside of their daily routine. The result was very successful and turned into a blessing for all involved, especially Rick and his wife Coye. In 2014, working with pastor Jim Norwood of Oakcrest Church and 25 volunteers from area churches, Rick formed Texas Food Ministries. Texas Food Ministries provided a two to three day of supply of food on a weekly basis to those in need of food. The ministry operated on Thursday nights and provided a dinner meal, a worship service and then distributed food boxes to those in need. It was during this time that Rick was called to pastor to those who were in hard times, those facing a challenge for food, shelter, and the essentials of life. Some of our congregation were homeless, many were disabled, on a fixed income and struggling to make ends meet. “God called me to the best possible place to learn to minister. God gave me the the opportunity not only to love those with special needs but also help others who were looking for a way forward. God gave me the opportunity to love and be loved by best of the best. There was no pretense and no pride just people trying to help people survive difficult times. “I was blessed many times over having made lifelong friends with people who are truly the salt of the earth.” My goals for the ministry is to encourage, build up, and love those who are struggling to find a way through the trials and tribulations of daily living. Our music has always proven to be a bridge, an effective means of introducing people to Jesus. Praise and Worship music ushers in the Holy Spirit and connects God and his children.
Doug Greathouse
Doug grew up in Graham, Texas and upon graduation from high school became a police officer. Doug’s service as a first responder provided a wealth of life experience where he developed a passion to help people. Doug’s love for people and the desire to serve others lead to his calling to the ministry. So Doug attended the seminary and began his career as a minister in the 90’s serving as pastor of a church in Kennedale, Texas. in 2000 Doug and Rick organized and implemented a service featuring contemporary praise and worship music in a local Arlington church. Doug and Rick have worked together over the years in various ministries to help organize and lead youth, special needs and various out reach ministries. Doug’s special talents include videography, song writing and faith based counselling.