Staff  
Ministers
  John Wurster
Pastor/Head of Staff
john@saintphilip.net		  
John grew up in Wichita Falls, Texas.
He received the Bachelor of Arts summa cum laude from Trinity University, where he was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa; the Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary; and the Doctor of Ministry from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

John has authored two books published
by CSS Press: What If What They Say Is True
is a collection of sermons on the prophets; Ordinary Words, Extraordinary Deeds is a reflection on preaching the miracles of Jesus. John has also contributed worship materials and essays to Call to Worship, the journal published by the Office of Theology and Worship of the Presbyterian Church (USA).		  
John is a Trustee of the Presbyterian Pan American School in Kingsville, Texas and
a former Trustee of Schreiner University
in Kerrville. He serves locally on the Board
of Interfaith Ministries. He is a member of the Presbyterian Association of Musicians and has been involved with PAM conferences as a co-director and preacher. John is also an adjunct faculty member in homiletics at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

John is married to Deborah Burks, formerly Associate Professor of English at The Ohio State University.		    
  John Wurster has been Pastor of St. Philip since March 2012. He most recently served as Pastor
at First Presbyterian Church in Kerrville, Texas.
He has also served Presbyterian churches in Ohio
and Pennsylvania.
  Keatan King
Associate Pastor keatan@saintphilip.net		  
Throughout her life and theological training, ministry with young people retains special emphasis in her work and commitment to
the church.

Keatan has a heart for ministry with youth
and young adults and seeks to accompany
young people as they experience the transformative love of Jesus Christ in
their lives.		   Keatan is dedicated to the spiritual
growth and theological formation of youth
and young adults and works to equip them
to serve as faithful, compassionate, and imaginative leaders in both the Church
and the world.

In her free time, Keatan enjoys running, reading, cooking, nail art, being outdoors,
and spending time with friends.		    
  Keatan King is a native of Austin, Texas and a lifelong Presbyterian, Keatan graduated from Austin College in 2009 with a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology and Spanish and she received her Master of Divinity from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 2013.
Music
  Thomas Goetz
Director of Music thomas@saintphilip.net		  
Tom received his graduate degrees from Northwestern University: a Master of Music
in Church Music and a Doctor of Music in Church Music, with organ as his primary instrument.

He is a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and a member of the Presbyterian Association of Musicians, the American Choral Directors Association, and the American Guild
of Organists.

At St. Philip, Tom is Director of the Music at
St. Philip Concert Series, and conducts The St. Philip Choir, Bell Canto, Jubilate!, and the Youth Choir, and serves as organist for the 8:30 am service, as well as occasional seasonal weekday services and memorial services. 		 
Reflecting on his life’s work, Tom writes,
“It is always a joy to see youth and adults
alike discover and perform great choral works to high musical standards.

It is my belief that beautiful music of exceptional quality enriches the church’s worship life immeasurably, not for the sake
of beauty alone, but for the miraculous experiences of catching a glimpse of God’s glory and touching the sacred.” 		   
  Dr. Thomas Goetz joined the St. Philip staff as Director of Music in 2012. Prior to coming to Houston, Dr. Goetz had directed music programs at churches
in Florida, Kentucky, and Illinois, and had served on college and seminary faculties in those same states.
  Matthew Dirst
Organist
dirst@central.uh.edu		  

He was closely involved in the commissioning
of the Fritts organ and Phillips harpsichord and
is immensely grateful to serve in a church where music is so highly valued.

The first American to win major international prizes in both organ and harpsichord, Matthew
is also Professor of Music at the Moores School
of Music, University of Houston, where he teaches courses in music history and performance practice, and Artistic Director
of the Grammy-nominated early music ensemble Ars Lyrica Houston.  		  

His degrees include a PhD in musicology
from Stanford University and degrees in
organ and sacred music from the University
of Illinois and Southern Methodist University.
A Fulbright scholar to France, he received
the coveted prix de virtuosité in both organ and harpsichord.

The author of numerous articles on the
music of Bach and its reception, Matthew
is the author of Engaging Bach: The Keyboard Legacy from Marpurg to Mendelssohn
(Cambridge University Press, 2012). 		    
  Organist Matthew Dirst, who joined the St. Philip music staff in 1997, plays the 11 am Sunday service, accompanies the St. Philip Choir, and has served St. Philip in numerous other capacities over the years, including two periods as interim choirmaster.
Church Office
 
  Laurie Fortenbery
Office Manager
laurie@saintphilip.net


Laurie Fortenbery is our office manager.
She first worked at Scotsdale Baptist Church
in El Paso, Texas, where she was born
and raised.

 

She and Kenneth, her husband of 36 years, were given a warm welcome by tropical storm "Allison" the day they moved into their home
in Kingwood, Texas. They both claim it was
an very "moving" experience.

Laurie is a member of Humble Area's First Baptist Church in Humble, Texas. She teaches in the 3-years-old class and serves as social secretary for her Life Group.

Laurie is a mother to three and grandmother
to seven. Her hobbies include creating cards, invitations, gift tags and more on her computer, decorating cakes, making crafts, and "roasting" people on their special occasions.
 
  Micah Meyers
Communications
micah@saintphilip.net


 

 
 
  Denise Ferrell
Bookkeeper
denise@saintphilip.net


 

 
Property & Facilities
 
  Wilbert Parada
Facilities Manager
wilbert@saintphilip.net


 

 
 
  Dimas Parada
Custodian


 

 
 
  Peter Ramadan
Custodian


 

 
Nursery
 
    Denise Sanchez
 
    Janet Sanchez
  Infants & children through 3 years
  are invited to our Nursery, well-staffed by professional childcare providers. Please find
our Nursery in Room 106 of the Education
Building along the Sunday School Classroom
hallway on the first floor. An usher or a
greeter will be happy to direct you there.

Nursery and Preschool:
8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. on Sundays
 
   

St. Philip is a member of the Presbyterian Church - USA
4807 San Felipe Street, Houston, TX 77056 - Ph. (713) 622-4807