Staff | calvarybaptistchurch

  MINISTERIAL STAFF

Dr. Richard D. Rush
Senior Pastor

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Dr. Rush began his ministry with us in June of 2008. Prior to coming to Lubbock, Richard and his family served at First Baptist Church, El Paso, Texas; First Baptist Church, O'Donnell, Texas; and Parkway Drive Baptist Church, Lubbock, Texas. Before he served as pastor, Richard served in various ministry positions in Texas and Louisiana.

Richard holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene; a Master of Religious Education degree and a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth; and he completed his formal educational journey receiving a Doctor of Ministry degree from the George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University, Waco, Texas.

Richard's greatest joy is spending time with his lovely wife and their two children. Outside of his love for ministry, Richard enjoys football, basketball, golf, and reading.

Damon West
Associate Pastor of Education

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Damon came to Calvary in March of 2009 to serve as Associate Pastor of Education. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and a Master of Arts in Religion from Wayland Baptist University and has served over the last 10 years as Student Minister in several Plainview and Lubbock-area churches. He married Erin on June 24, 2000, and they have a 5-year-old son, Cayden, and a 2-year-old daughter, Avery. One or more members of their family enjoys volleyball, reading (pictures are preferred), eating, playing dress-up, going for walks, basketball, playing with balloons, taking naps, watching movies, and going down slides.

Cory O'Guinn
Associate Pastor of Students
and Missions

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Cory was born October 7, 1969 in Lubbock. Cory was raised in the church and was saved at the age of ten and surrendered to the ministry at the age of seventeen. He began his ministry career in 1988 working in the Family Life Ministry of Highland Baptist Church of Lubbock. At Highland he was involved in Family Ministry, recreation, senior adult ministry, Upward Basketball and janitorial services/maintenance.

In 1992 Cory married Kelly Malone. They have two children, Lauren, age 13 and Sydney, age 9. In 1998 Cory and Kelly accepted the call of Youth Minister at Bellview Baptist Church in Midland. In 2001 Cory and Kelly felt led to Calvary Baptist Church, Lubbock. Cory is the Associate Pastor of Missions/Students and Properties Administrator. Kelly currently serves as the Assistant Director of Calvary Weekday Ministries. She also leads the Calvary Mission Friends and teaches 9th and 10th grade girls Sunday school. Cory and Kelly have been at Calvary 9 years!

Nathan Kizer
Associate Pastor of
Worship & Arts

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Nathan is a native of Lubbock. He and his wife, Kenna, have a six-year old daughter named Anna. Nathan attended Texas Tech University, serving as President of the BSM, and hanging around long enough to find a wife before transferring to Wayland Baptist University where he completed a degree in Religion and a minor in Mathematics.

Getting married in 1999, Kenna began teaching sixth-grade mathematics while Nathan continued to work at United Supermarkets. After seven years with United, Nathan accepted a position as Minister of Students at First Baptist Church in Tahoka where he served from 2001-2004. Moving back to Lubbock after the birth of Anna, Kenna continued to teach at J.T. Hutchison Middle School while Nathan entered secular employment, staying home during much of the day with his newborn daughter and working a later shift. During this time, Nathan continued to develop his musical gifts, leading worship in contemporary and blended settings for groups of all ages. Currently, Nathan is bi-vocational,—also employed as the Technical Specialist for the 9-1-1 Administration of Lubbock County. When he can find the time, Nathan enjoys playing and recording his guitar, watching movies, and reading. As a family, the Kizers enjoy camping, jumping on hotel room beds, and perusing the toy aisle at Target.

Mike Watt
Preschool and Children's Minister

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Michael Watt was born February 28, 1979, in Laredo, Texas. He and his wife Blanda met while attending Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, and were married in 2001. They have two-year old twin boys, Joshua and Caleb, and welcomed Benjamin in June of 2010.

The Watt family comes to CBC from Keller, TX. Mike left a volunteer position as Children's Pastor at Champion's Gate Church in Grapevine and his position as Overnight Senior Team Manager at Target. He previously worked with both children and youth in several different ministry positions in churches and children's homes. He also has a heart for evangelism and missions, going on several international mission trips and taking part in the Christian Wrestling Federation, using the avenue of wrestling programs to share the gospel with anyone who will listen.

Mike became a believer at the age of twleve. To hear him tell it, all the sweet church folks who insisted on picking him up for Sunday services each week simply loved him into submission. He soon realized his need for a Savior and gave his life to Jesus. From his written testimony: "Years later, as a sophomore in college, I remember struggling with deciding on a major. I knew that picking a major was setting my career path. I switched majors multiple times, having academic success no matter the class or the lack of effort I put into it. The classes were just hollow to me. Finally, I had a novel idea: pray. Ask God what He would have me do, instead of asking Him to bless what I chose to do. So I prayed, and He spoke. This is when God called me to the ministry. I wrestled with Him, and like Jacob before me, I lost. Ministry is not just something I love to do; it's something I must do."

  STAFF

Laurie Peterson
Administrative Assistant
Business Manager

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Carla Latham
Administrative Assistant
Publications

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Carla joined the Calvary staff on April 1, 2002. She and her husband Ted moved to Lubbock in August of 2001 after twenty-six years in pastoral ministry. Ted served as senior pastor of four churches during that time and Carla stayed busy as wife, mother, pastor’s wife, and substitute teacher in the public schools. After completing her Administrative Assistant Certification in June of 2001 at Southwest Kansas Technical School in Liberal, Kansas, Carla and Ted transitioned to Lubbock as their “home of choice” to begin a new chapter in their lives. They are both natives of Tulia as well as alumni of Wayland Baptist University, Plainview, TX. Ted is a Board Certified Chaplain with Covenant Health System of Lubbock. Carla is a Certified Ministry Assistant of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, a Texas Notary Public, and is the Administrative Assistant of Publications for Calvary. Carla and Ted enjoy spending time with their two daughters and their families, fellowshipping with the Calvary family, spoiling their two grandsons, and vacationing with extended family.

Bekka Berryhill
Receptionist

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  WEEKDAY EARLY EDUCATION MINISTRIES
806.794.4120

Tiffiany Burgess
Director

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Kelly O'Guinn
Assistant Director

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Kelly came to Calvary with her husband Cory in January of 2001 when Cory came to serve as Associate Pastor to Students. Kelly joined the staff of the Calvary Weekday program in the fall of 2005 as a 4's teacher. She assumed the role of Weekday Assistant Director in August 2009. Kelly holds a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from Lubbock Christian University and has taught both preschool and elementary classes over the last 18 years. She married Cory on July 10, 1992, and they have a 13-year-old daughter, Lauren, and a 9-year-old daughter, Sydney. Kelly's other children include her 13 year-old mutt Curly and the newest addition, Princess Lily Grace, the dainty Great Dane.

MINISTERIAL STAFF
	Dr. Richard D. Rush Senior Pastor Email Dr. Rush
Dr. Rush began his ministry with us in June of 2008. Prior to coming to Lubbock, Richard and his family served at First Baptist Church, El Paso, Texas; First Baptist Church, O'Donnell, Texas; and Parkway Drive Baptist Church, Lubbock, Texas. Before he served as pastor, Richard served in various ministry positions in Texas and Louisiana. Richard holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene; a Master of Religious Education degree and a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth; and he completed his formal educational journey receiving a Doctor of Ministry degree from the George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University, Waco, Texas. Richard's greatest joy is spending time with his lovely wife and their two children. Outside of his love for ministry, Richard enjoys football, basketball, golf, and reading.

	Damon West Associate Pastor of Education Email Damon
Damon came to Calvary in March of 2009 to serve as Associate Pastor of Education. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and a Master of Arts in Religion from Wayland Baptist University and has served over the last 10 years as Student Minister in several Plainview and Lubbock-area churches. He married Erin on June 24, 2000, and they have a 5-year-old son, Cayden, and a 2-year-old daughter, Avery. One or more members of their family enjoys volleyball, reading (pictures are preferred), eating, playing dress-up, going for walks, basketball, playing with balloons, taking naps, watching movies, and going down slides.

	Cory O'Guinn Associate Pastor of Students and Missions Email Cory
Cory was born October 7, 1969 in Lubbock. Cory was raised in the church and was saved at the age of ten and surrendered to the ministry at the age of seventeen. He began his ministry career in 1988 working in the Family Life Ministry of Highland Baptist Church of Lubbock. At Highland he was involved in Family Ministry, recreation, senior adult ministry, Upward Basketball and janitorial services/maintenance. In 1992 Cory married Kelly Malone. They have two children, Lauren, age 13 and Sydney, age 9. In 1998 Cory and Kelly accepted the call of Youth Minister at Bellview Baptist Church in Midland. In 2001 Cory and Kelly felt led to Calvary Baptist Church, Lubbock. Cory is the Associate Pastor of Missions/Students and Properties Administrator. Kelly currently serves as the Assistant Director of Calvary Weekday Ministries. She also leads the Calvary Mission Friends and teaches 9th and 10th grade girls Sunday school. Cory and Kelly have been at Calvary 9 years!

	Nathan Kizer Associate Pastor of Worship & Arts Email Nathan
Nathan is a native of Lubbock. He and his wife, Kenna, have a six-year old daughter named Anna. Nathan attended Texas Tech University, serving as President of the BSM, and hanging around long enough to find a wife before transferring to Wayland Baptist University where he completed a degree in Religion and a minor in Mathematics. Getting married in 1999, Kenna began teaching sixth-grade mathematics while Nathan continued to work at United Supermarkets. After seven years with United, Nathan accepted a position as Minister of Students at First Baptist Church in Tahoka where he served from 2001-2004. Moving back to Lubbock after the birth of Anna, Kenna continued to teach at J.T. Hutchison Middle School while Nathan entered secular employment, staying home during much of the day with his newborn daughter and working a later shift. During this time, Nathan continued to develop his musical gifts, leading worship in contemporary and blended settings for groups of all ages. Currently, Nathan is bi-vocational,—also employed as the Technical Specialist for the 9-1-1 Administration of Lubbock County. When he can find the time, Nathan enjoys playing and recording his guitar, watching movies, and reading. As a family, the Kizers enjoy camping, jumping on hotel room beds, and perusing the toy aisle at Target.

	Mike Watt Preschool and Children's Minister Email Mike
Michael Watt was born February 28, 1979, in Laredo, Texas. He and his wife Blanda met while attending Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, and were married in 2001. They have two-year old twin boys, Joshua and Caleb, and welcomed Benjamin in June of 2010. The Watt family comes to CBC from Keller, TX. Mike left a volunteer position as Children's Pastor at Champion's Gate Church in Grapevine and his position as Overnight Senior Team Manager at Target. He previously worked with both children and youth in several different ministry positions in churches and children's homes. He also has a heart for evangelism and missions, going on several international mission trips and taking part in the Christian Wrestling Federation, using the avenue of wrestling programs to share the gospel with anyone who will listen. Mike became a believer at the age of twleve. To hear him tell it, all the sweet church folks who insisted on picking him up for Sunday services each week simply loved him into submission. He soon realized his need for a Savior and gave his life to Jesus. From his written testimony: "Years later, as a sophomore in college, I remember struggling with deciding on a major. I knew that picking a major was setting my career path. I switched majors multiple times, having academic success no matter the class or the lack of effort I put into it. The classes were just hollow to me. Finally, I had a novel idea: pray. Ask God what He would have me do, instead of asking Him to bless what I chose to do. So I prayed, and He spoke. This is when God called me to the ministry. I wrestled with Him, and like Jacob before me, I lost. Ministry is not just something I love to do; it's something I must do."

STAFF

	Laurie Peterson Administrative Assistant Business Manager Email Laurie

	Carla Latham Administrative Assistant Publications Email Carla
Carla joined the Calvary staff on April 1, 2002. She and her husband Ted moved to Lubbock in August of 2001 after twenty-six years in pastoral ministry. Ted served as senior pastor of four churches during that time and Carla stayed busy as wife, mother, pastor’s wife, and substitute teacher in the public schools. After completing her Administrative Assistant Certification in June of 2001 at Southwest Kansas Technical School in Liberal, Kansas, Carla and Ted transitioned to Lubbock as their “home of choice” to begin a new chapter in their lives. They are both natives of Tulia as well as alumni of Wayland Baptist University, Plainview, TX. Ted is a Board Certified Chaplain with Covenant Health System of Lubbock. Carla is a Certified Ministry Assistant of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, a Texas Notary Public, and is the Administrative Assistant of Publications for Calvary. Carla and Ted enjoy spending time with their two daughters and their families, fellowshipping with the Calvary family, spoiling their two grandsons, and vacationing with extended family.

	Bekka Berryhill Receptionist Email Bekka


WEEKDAY EARLY EDUCATION MINISTRIES 806.794.4120
	Tiffiany Burgess Director Email Tiffiany

	Kelly O'Guinn Assistant Director Email Kelly
Kelly came to Calvary with her husband Cory in January of 2001 when Cory came to serve as Associate Pastor to Students. Kelly joined the staff of the Calvary Weekday program in the fall of 2005 as a 4's teacher. She assumed the role of Weekday Assistant Director in August 2009. Kelly holds a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from Lubbock Christian University and has taught both preschool and elementary classes over the last 18 years. She married Cory on July 10, 1992, and they have a 13-year-old daughter, Lauren, and a 9-year-old daughter, Sydney. Kelly's other children include her 13 year-old mutt Curly and the newest addition, Princess Lily Grace, the dainty Great Dane.