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We are excited to welcome Maritza Sprague as our new Disaster Coordinator. A dedicated 25-year educator and graduate of the University of New Orleans, Maritza brings a wealth of experience in leadership, communication, and community engagement to this critical role.

Born in Belize and raised in New Orleans from the age of seven, Maritza offers a unique and deeply rooted perspective on the diverse needs of our region. She is fluent in both Spanish and English, an asset that will enhance outreach and coordination across communities, especially during times of crisis.

Maritza's passion for public service, combined with her strong background in education and cultural insight, positions her to lead with empathy, clarity, and effectiveness. We are thrilled to have her on board and look forward to the impact she will make in strengthening our disaster preparedness and response efforts.

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Contact Pastor Ele Clay:

Chris is passionate about networking and identifying new ways to support individuals and congregations as they grow a deeper, bolder, more consequential faith. Chris maintains the LEAD website, supports LEAD's signature coaching, and collaborates on the 10 Minute Toolbox.

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Peggy Hahn serves as the Executive Director for LEAD, aligning passionate leaders, resources, and practices to grow Christian leaders who grow faith communities in our world. Peggy is a frequent speaker and author who is never without a pile of books to read and seeks coaches and mentors for herself in an ongoing quest to learn and grow. Peggy is committed to listening to pastors and leaders of all ages for insight into the ways they are growing in their own faith and what LEAD can do to support them in their development as leaders.

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John Roalson began his work in the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod in May of 2023 as the gift planner with Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest.

John received his undergraduate degree from Texas Lutheran University. Prior to coming to the foundation, John worked in the financial services industry for 20 years. He resides in Katy with his wife, Paula and has two daughters, Hannah & Abigail – all of whom also graduated from Texas Lutheran. John is a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Houston.

John is available to meet with individuals and couples to help them plan legacy gifts that will bless family and loved ones, the ministries of our church, and other non-profit organizations that are important to them. He also works with congregations to assist them in being prepared to receive, celebrate, and steward legacy gifts from members and friends of the congregation. Low-cost, professionally managed investment options for congregations and other ministries are available through Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest and the ELCA Foundation.

Pastor Escalera and his wife Magda come to us from the New Jersey Synod. He has a bachelor's degree in finance and a master's degree in theology from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. He is a trained mission developer who has served congregations in Puerto Rico and New Jersey. In his current call, he is re-developing Temple Lutheran Church, while launching a new Latino ministry, Misión Luterana Reconciliación. He is the police, fire, and EMS chaplain in the town where he serves.

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Tracey Breashears Schultz is a graduate of the University of Arkansas (B.A. English/Spanish-1996), Wartburg Theological Seminary (M.Div.-2007), and the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (D.Min in Preaching-2014).

She will always be grateful to the faith communities who nurtured, prayed for, trusted her, and taught her how to be a pastor, namely, Zion Lutheran-Limon, CO (2006); MacArthur Park Lutheran-San Antonio (2007-2012); Zion Lutheran-Houston (2012-2019), and the TX-LA Gulf Coast Synod, ELCA (2019-present).

Her joys in ministry are preaching, worship, faith formation, and evangelism. She is always ready to lead a children’s sermon.

Tracey was elected the fourth bishop of the TX-LA Gulf Coast Synod on May 17, 2025 in New Orleans during Synod Assembly. She looks forward to this new call and is especially excited about visiting each of our seven conferences this fall and winter for the “Bishop’s Listening & Learning Tour.”

Tracey is married to Chris Schultz, an architect and lifelong Lutheran. They make their home in Idylwood, east of downtown Houston.

The 2023 ELCA Youth Leadership Summit will take place November 2-5 at the ELCA Churchwide Offices in Chicago, Illinois. The Youth Leadership Summit empowers and inspires young people within their congregations, communities, and synods to embrace their calling and become influential leaders beyond their current context.

This year’s theme, “Called on The Way” focuses on exploring the unique journeys that individuals take in response to their calling and how these journeys shape their leadership abilities. Comforting his disciples, Jesus declares, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6). Throughout the Summit participants will be exploring narratives of people being called throughout the scriptures learning alongside our many ELCA advocacy partners.

Each synod is invited to send two youth leaders (in grades 9-12) and one adult to the Summit. All lodging, meals, programming, and transportation are provided. Participants’ home congregation are asked to cover (or contribute towards) airfare to Chicago.

The Gulf Coast Synod Youth Ministry Team is accepting applications through the end of August. If you are interested, please fill out the web form below by August 31 and ask your pastor to send a letter of recommendation to synod@gulfcoastsynod.org. The selected participants will be announced in September.

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Contact The Rev. Darnell Fennell:

Contact Jada Hylton:

Contact Sharon Kovar:

Contact Deacon Aimee Elles:

Contact Pastor Ele Clay:

Contact:

Contact Peggy Hahn:

Contact José Luís Escalera:

2023 ELCA Youth Leadership Summit Application

Upcoming Events

Children & Youth Ministry Network First Thursday Daytime Meeting

Children & Youth Ministry Network First Thursday Evening Meeting

Good Grief Retreat | Learning to Breathe Again

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