Nominated Elders & Deacons – Congregational Meeting on March 22

Congregational Meeting – March 22

Every year, Covenant Partners at HP Pres nominate members from our congregation to serve as elders and deacons at our church. This year, on Sunday, March 22, after the 11 am worship service, we are holding a congregational meeting to elect our newest elders and deacons. Learn more about the nominees and what it means to be an elder and a deacon below:

What is an Elder?

Our church is led by three types of ministers, elders, deacons, and pastors, each called to serve Jesus, and our church family in distinct ways. The Session is made up of twenty-four men and women who are elected by the congregation (Elders) and two of our pastors. They govern our church and provide spiritual and visionary oversight of our ministries and mission. Read the Elder requirements and responsibilities here.

Elder Nominees

Holly Croley

Holly has been a member at HP Pres for over 30 years. She is married to Jim and has two adult children. In addition to being a deacon, she has been in the Chancel Choir as long as she has been a church member, VBS Art and Snack Committees, worked with welcoming new women to the church, Anchor Table leader and was on part-time staff as the administrator for Women’s and Men’s ministry for 3 years.

Cameron Hillier

Cameron Hillier began attending HP Pres as a young child and was confirmed in 2008. Six years ago, he met his wife, Maggie, at HP Pres and they were married in Wynne Chapel in 2022. He has a one-year old boy who was baptized on Nov. 16, 2025. For the past five years, he has helped lead a men’s small group; outside of HP Pres, he has served as the faculty sponsor for See You at the Pole at St. Mark’s School of Texas, where he teaches English and directs the wilderness programming. He looks forward to the opportunity to further serve the mission of HP Pres.

Aaron Murff

Aaron has been married to his wife Hillary Murff for 19 years. They have four children, Park, Pearson Ann, Mary Bryn & Aaron. Aaron and Hillary have been active members of HP Pres since they joined in 2018. They have loved serving together teaching Sunday School in the Children’s Ministry, as well as in Marriage Prep. Aaron also served on the most recent Pastor Nominating Committee.

Neil Rambin

Neil joined HP Pres in 1980. He and his wife, Nelene, met at HP Pres. Together they have 2 adult children. Neil has previously served as a deacon, elder, adult Sunday School teacher, and most recently as a member of the Pastor Nominating Committee. He currently serves as a Sunday morning greeter for the Hall Worship Service and as a member of the ECO Texas Presbytery Governing Council.

Bailey Schaufele

Bailey has been a member of HP Pres since 2017. She and her husband, Paul, have three children: Molly (9), Charlie (8), and Emma (6). This past fall, she concluded her service on the Pastor Nominating Committee. Bailey has served as a deacon and in Elementary Sunday School. She is currently active in the marriage ministry and re|engage, and she volunteers at her children’s schools.

Vance Shull

Vance has been a member at HP Pres for over 20 years. He and his wife have three children, two in high school and one in elementary school. Vance previously served as Moderator to the Deacons and over the years he has volunteered in the Elementary, Middle and High School ministries. Currently he serves in the third grade Sunday School class and as an Ascent table co-leader.

What is a Deacon?

Our church is led by three types of ministers, elders, deacons, and pastors, each called to serve Jesus and our church family in distinct ways. Our deacons help build up our church community through ministries emphasizing spiritual care, prayer, and connection. They live across all our neighborhoods and are dedicated to helping people find and follow Jesus by ministering to them and offering guidance, love, and support. Read the Deacon requirements and responsibilities here.

Deacon Nominees

Tiffany Carr 

Upon moving to Dallas 11 years ago, Tiffany joined HP Pres. She and her husband Chris have two teenage daughters. Tiffany has long served as a teacher in the Sunday School ministry, currently teaching third graders. She attends Anchor Women’s Bible Study where she has previously been a table leader. In addition, Tiffany serves on the church’s prayer walking team. In the past, she has mentored our confirmation students and taught at Vacation Bible School.

Lori Dao

Lori has been a member at HP Pres since 2011. She is married and has three daughters. Over the years, she has volunteered in children’s Sunday school and served as a greeter during holiday services. She is currently helping launch small groups for young married couples. In her free time, she enjoys running and spending time with her family.

Mary Anne Dunne

Mary Anne has been a member of HP Pres for 35 years. She has an adult daughter who is married and lives in Birmingham. She is currently involved in two Bible Studies at HP Pres. She has been a Sunday School teacher two separate times in early years at HP Pres. She works remotely full time for Benchmark Bank. She is also on the board of Clayton Dabney Foundation, and volunteers one day a week at Ronald McDonald House.

Dora Kung

Dora, originally from Taiwan, has been involved in international student ministry since 2010 and has loved walking alongside students and friends in their life-changing journeys with Jesus. She grew up serving as a church pianist and now works with cross-cultural workers in the field of ethnodoxology, helping facilitate worship in spirit and truth among all nations through local arts. Dora joined HP Pres in 2020 and has been part of The Vine class.

Matthew Larrabee 

Matthew has been a member at HP Pres since 2021. Married with two young children, HP Pres has been foundational for the formation of his family. Beginning with premarital counseling through the Merge program, a newlywed community group, and Sunday school classes. It’s currently his great joy to volunteer as an early childhood Sunday school teacher.

Ed Love

William E. “Ed” Love has been a member of HP Pres for four years. He and his wife, Alicia, have two adult daughters, Allie (married to John) and Kate. In addition to serving as a Deacon, Ed is part of the Safe Keeping Ministry Team, participates in The Journey Class, and enjoys Ascent. Prior to joining HP Pres, he served as an Elder and Deacon in the PC(USA) and was active as an usher and youth Sunday School teacher.

Efua Mensah-Brown

Efua has been a member of HP Pres for four years. Originally from Ghana and raised in the Middle East, she has been actively involved in the church community, previously serving as a Lead in the Young Adult Ministry and currently serving as a greeter and small group leader.

Nick Mesec

Nick has been a member of HP Pres for over ten years. He and his wife, Alison, have three children — Jackson (10), Cooper (8), and Grace (5) — who attend Providence Christian School. Nick is an active volunteer in the Early Childhood and Elementary Sunday School ministries and also serves on the board of Discipleship Plus+, Inc. (Sports Plus+), a local community sports ministry. Professionally, Nick is a petroleum engineer at Vendera Resources, a Dallas-based private oil and gas company.

Taylor Pearce

Originally from Austin, Taylor has lived in Dallas for 15 years and has been a member of HP Pres for nine years. He is married with three young children. Taylor serves as a Sunday school teacher and is actively involved in a small group Bible study. In addition, he has participated in the mentorship program facilitated by HP Pres. Outside of the church, Taylor and his family support Hope International, Redeemed Women and Family Legacy.

Nelene Rambin

Nelene has been a member of HP Pres for over 40 years. She is married and has two adult children. She has served as the Moderator of Presbyterian Women, a Sunday School and VBS Teacher, a Becoming HP Pres table leader and currently as a Sunday morning Hall Worship greeter. Outside of HP Pres she has served as a member of the Community Bible Study Leaders Council.

Sarah Sargent

Sarah has been a member of HP Pres for ten years. She is married with four sons between the ages of 11 and 16 years old. In addition to being a reserve deacon, she has been a Sunday school teacher, a VBS leader, a member of the Worship Committee, a Treasure Keepers table leader and an Anchor table leader. She is currently active as a leader with re|engage.

John A. Walsh

John is originally from North Carolina (home to the best barbecue) but moved to Dallas in September 2021 to pursue his now wife, Bonnie. Ask him about that journey some time! He joined HP Pres in spring 2022 and has loved his time with this small part of the larger Church. He co-leads a young adult men’s community group, is part of a married couples’ group, and is a proud member of Table 15 at Ascent. He looks forward to serving you as a Deacon!