Dr. Jim Burgin – Is the Director of Communications at Mission Arlington/Metroplex, the Pastor at Grace Street Fellowship in Arlington, and also an Adjunct Professor of Ethics at B.H. Carroll Theological Institute. Jim has a pastor’s heart and for decades has been investing in the lives of people in local churches, mission organizations, university classrooms, and for the past 15 years through the ministry of Mission Arlington/Metroplex, a nationally recognized ministry whose mantra is taking church to the people.
Jim, alongside many of his family, including his mother Tillie Burgin, the mission’s founder annually serve thousands of people in the Arlington and surrounding areas with food, clothing, furniture, medical and dental care, and most importantly spiritual help.
Mission Arlington/Metroplex has an evangelistic heart, is a network of Bible studies and churches (4,500 people attending each week), a community crossroads, a center for community ministry, and a base for missionary training in which forty-two thousand people from all over the country attend annually.
Jim is married to Debbie and they have two adult sons Clark and Steven and two grandchildren. Jim earned his PhD in Christian Ethics and Philosophy of Religion and Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and his BA in English and Mathmatics from Baylor University.
Mary Beth Hardesty Crouch – Is the Senior Minister at Vista Ridge United Methodist Church in Lewisville, TX. Under her leadership the church has engaged a mission of “building life-giving relationships with God, with each other and with our community.”
Vista Ridge UMC was selected church of the year in 2015 for their spirit of volunteerism by Christian Community Action. They partner extensively with the neighborhood surrounding the church and were recognized by the North Texas Conference of United Methodist for their partnership with Rockbrook Elementary School.
Mary Beth is a graduate of SMU Perkins School of Theology. She is married to Brian, a Methodist minister as well, and they have two children, Christopher and Lilly.
Dr. Jim Johnson – Is a co-founding and senior pastor of Preston Trail Community Church in Frisco, Texas with over 35 years experience pastoring in Texas, Georgia and Florida.
Jim’s passion and approach to life and ministry can be found in the mission and values of the church he helped co-found. Saying their mission is, “helping people find and follow Jesus Christ”, Preston Trail’s corresponding values are; smile first, welcoming people so they feel expected and accepted, think family, growing marriages and families that are built to last, be real, taking off our masks and daring to be known, do stuff, turning what we’re learning into action, lead forward, anticipating what’s next and having the courage to do it, love story, celebrating God’s big story . . . and every new one He writes.
A native of Midland, Texas, Jim earned his Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Theological Seminary and his BA and PhD from Baylor University. He and his wife, Robin, have three grown sons, Tyler and Brady, son Ben and daughter-in-law Behtanne, and one granddaughter Lorien.
Dr. Larry Parsley – Is the Senior Pastor at Valley Ranch Baptist Church in Coppell, TX. He received his Master of Divinity from Southwestern Seminary, and his undergraduate and Ph.D. degrees from Baylor University. Larry serves on the leadership boards of several charities and denominational entities. He is a public speaker, author, seminary professor, and global missions proponent.
His greatest love comes from pastoring in the local church. Larry and his wife Jaletta, a Psychologist specializing in children and families, live in Coppell where they have raised their four children.
Amy Wilkins – Serves as the Minister of Community and Global Missions at Valley Ranch Baptist Church in Coppell, TX. She graduated from Truett Seminary at Baylor University with a Master of Divinity degree and a bachelor’s degree from Baylor as a University Scholar. Amy has served on the leadership boards of several charities and denominational entities, most recently including the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and Texas Baptists.
Amy is passionate about seeing the Kingdom of God furthered locally and globally, and equipping Christ-followers to carry out God’s mission in the world. Amy and her husband Chris, a history teacher and basketball coach at Ranchview High School, live in Coppell, where they are teaching their three young daughters to share their love of all things outdoors.
