Program Staff
Tom Brown—Director of Music Ministry
(512) 334-3012 | tbrown@covenant.org
With almost 40 years experience in church music, Dr. Tom Brown, Director of Music Ministry, has enjoyed the multi-denominational perspective of holding positions in the Presbyterian (PCUSA), United Methodist, Baptist and Christian (Disciples of Christ) denominations.
Before devoting himself to full-time church music, Tom conducted choirs for 15 years in the university and public schools. He was on the choral music faculty of the University of Southern Mississippi, where he directed choirs, taught conducting and voice, and founded the USM Jazz Singers. In the area of Music Theater, he has directed numerous shows, including the University of Illinois Opera Theater’s productions of The Merry Widow and Amahl and the Night Visitors. As a pianist, Tom enjoys many styles of music and says that he is most himself when accompanying congregational singing. (Tom once accompanied William Warfield in a program of Broadway music.)
Tom holds a doctorate from the University of Illinois and an undergraduate degree from LSU. For fun he plays piano and enjoys gardening with his wife, Ann, a speech/language pathologist on faculty at the University of Texas. Tom and Ann have two grown sons.
Beth Bishop—Director of Lay Ministry
(512) 334-3011 | bbishop@covenant.org
Beth Bishop has a B.S. in Psychology and a Minor in Bible from Milligan College. She also has held certification for secondary education. Beth was an educator and worked in social services connecting a variety of agencies prior to her work at Covenant.
In her free time, Beth loves to hang out (singing, reading and playing in creeks) with her husband and two daughters. Give Beth a day off, a camera and throw her into the woods and she will be happy.
Frederick L. Clement—Director of Administration
(512) 334-3002 | fclement@covenant.org
.jpg)
As Director of Administration since 1997, Fred Clement oversees Covenant’s business operations. In this role—working with the Session, its committees, staff and volunteers—he is responsible for directing the church’s property, financial, legal and business affairs.
Fred is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and holds a certificate in risk management from Cambridge University. He is president-elect of the national Presbyterian Church Business Administrators Association and is a recipient of the Golden Hammer Award honoring those who have demonstrated excellence in church law and administration. Fred was featured on the May 2005 cover of Church Executive magazine and is credentialed by the American Society of Association Executives as a certified association executive. He is married to Donna Hill Clement; the couple has two young children.
William Leonhardt—Director of Student Ministry
(512) 334-3008 | wleonhardt@covenant.org
William oversees Covenant's Middle School and High School Ministries.
William, his wife Amy and their two children came from Orange County, Calif., in July of 2009 to join Covenant Presbyterian Church. He has a degree in Christian Education from Biola University and has been involved in youth ministry for more 15 years.
William has a heart to see students connect with God in a life-transforming way.
Christy Milam—Preschool Director
(512) 334-3016 | cmilam@covenant.org
Christy O. Milam, member of the Covenant Children’s Ministries staff since 2002, serves as the Director of Covenant’s Preschool and Child’s Day Out. Milam worked as a caregiver and Early Childhood Program/Nursery Coordinator for the church before becoming Director in 2008. She loves working with preschool-aged children and their parents, and coordinating all the details, programs and activities of one of the best half-day programs in Austin. Milam graduated from the University of Texas and attended graduate school at Texas State University where she took courses in curriculum and instruction and classroom management. She loves running, camping, cooking and spending time with her husband and two sons.
Derek Nafe—Creative Arts Producer
(512) 334-3010 | dnafe@covenant.org
Derek has been involved with contemporary worship services for more than a decade, and he has served in multiple roles including technical director and worship leader. He brings a great deal of insight, education and personality to the creative arts ministry. Derek has a huge heart for reaching the unchurched people of Austin and beyond. Derek and his wife Rhonda have two beautiful and talented children, Evan and Rebekah.
Stephanie Schultz—Interim Director of Communication
(512) 334-3092 | sschultz@covenant.org
Stephanie joined Covenant as director of communications after providing project-specific help to the church for several years. She has worked in marketing and public relations for government contractors, start-up companies, PR agencies and commercial corporations in Austin and in Washington, D.C. She also worked in journalism for several years. Stephanie graduated from the University of North Dakota with a degree in journalism and holds a master’s degree in marketing from the University of Maryland.
Stephanie enjoys hanging out with her family, reading, running, walking her dogs and coaching Upward Basketball. She volunteers for Gullett Elementary School, Girls Scouts and the Allandale Reporter.
Stacy Curtis—Children’s Choir Coordinator
(512) 334-3033 | scurtis@covenant.org
Jerry Wise—Associate Director for Contemporary Worship
(512) 334-3039 | jwise@covenant.org
Although a native Texan, Jerry spent many of his formative years in Nashville developing his gift of music and worship leadership. He has been a vocalist on two Dove award nominated albums and has led worship locally at Riverbend and other Austin churches. Jerry is a forming member of the Matchmaker Band which plays Motown, classic soul and funk at downtown and private venues. He also has a solo recording produced in 2004. Jerry's creative and leadership experience with professional musicians, volunteers and students complement Covenant's worship and student ministries.
Jerry is a graduate of the University of Evansville and holds a degree in music management. He is recently married to Megan Wise, and is partnering to parent her two beautiful children, Kate and Noah.
Gayla Stuart—Director of Children’s Ministries
(512) 334-3042 | gstuart@covenant.org.jpg)
Gayla Stuart has served Covenant since January of 2002. Having grown up in the church, the faith development of children is a passion of hers and she finds it an honor to serve the church in this way. Gayla graduated from TCU, taught high school for several years, and was director of a supplemental learning center for over 10 years. Her degree and experience with education and love for Christ make her role as Director of Children’s and Preteen Ministries a perfect fit. In addition to working at Covenant, Gayla has two kids that keep her busy.