EASTLAKE FELLOWSHIP FAMILY MINISTRY

Because we care for you and your family, the pastor and deacons of Eastlake Fellowship are committed to the Deacon Family Ministry Plan. We want to make certain that every member and family in our church experience the love and support of the whole congregation. We want to be known throughout our community as a loving and caring church.

• What is the Deacon Family Ministry Plan? It is a plan through which the deacons can join the pastor and church staff in ministering to the physical, spiritual and emotional needs of each church member and family. The resident church families are divided into groups of families and they are assigned to a deacon who will minister to them over a period of time.

• A part of each deacon's meeting is spent praying about specific needs of families and in rejoicing over needs met and victories won. Another part of the meeting may be used in developing deacon's skills in ministering to family needs.

• How can a deacon help you? Of course, you are the only one who can answer that question. However, there are some specific ways your deacon wants to try to help:

1. Visiting you. - The first visit will be a get acquainted visit with you and your family. However, your deacon will make other visits throughout the year when someone in your family is in the hospital or you have sorrow or sickness in the home.
2. Witnessing to unsaved family members. - One of your deacon's chief concerns is that every member of your family knows Christ as Savior.
3. Rejoicing with you and your family. - Your deacon will share your joy when you celebrate important events or accomplishments in your life.
4. Being a friend. - As your deacon listens to your troubles and concerns, you will know someone who cares.
5. Giving support in times of crisis. - Sometimes your deacon can help you through the crisis by listening and giving support. Other times, your deacon will know someone else or a community agency that can help.
6. Answering questions about your faith or about your church or denomination. - Your deacon will try to find the answers for you.
7. Helping you know and have fellowship with other members and families in the church. - Your deacon will encourage you to participate in social occasions when families in the assigned group or other church members get together for fun and fellowship.
8. Helping you find ways to serve in and through the church. - Your deacon will watch for opportunities for you to use the talents, skills, and abilities God has given you.
9. Praying for you and with you. - Believing that you are important and believing in the power of prayer, your deacon will join with the pastor and other deacons in praying for you and each member of your family.

In the Deacon Family Ministry Plan, every member and every family has a deacon. The more effectively the plan works in our church, the closer our church will come to being a real family in Christ. Your cooperation will help make the plan work. Feel free to call your deacon. Your deacon will seek to help you or link you to another helping person.

Don was born in Hobbs, NM and grew up in West Texas. He has spent many years in Engineering and Construction. He graduated from Odessa High School and attended the University of Houston. He has worked all over the world in the Copper, Oil, and Renewal Energy industries.

Don is married to Lynne, his wife of 43 years. They have 5 children and 5 grandchildren, and one great grandchild They love the outdoors – hunting, fishing, boating, and living on the lake.

Eric was born in Mullens, WV, graduated from Cap Zama Japan DOD High School. He received an Associate of Health Sciences degree from Kaplan University. He served as a Combat Medic and retired as a 1SG from the military in 2013 after 24 years of dedicated service.

Eric and Denice are blessed with 7 children and a 13 of grandchildren. They love the outdoors, wood crafting, and various hobbies. They have two very active labs, and a cute little dog named Dallas that completes their family.

Nelson was born in Levelland, Texas and has a BBA Degree in Accounting from Texas Tech University. He worked as an Accountant for Frito-Lay in Dallas 1968-1975 and then became President-Manager of the Frito Employees Federal Credit 1975-1989.

He took early retirement and moved to Burnet in 1989. He met Raquel in 1991 and they were married in 1994. Nelson recently retired as Treasurer of ELF.

Mike was born in France while his father was in the US Air Force. Growing up, he lived in five different countries and at least seven different states in the US.

Mike is a technology geek who enjoys being everybody's computer tech support. He has been working remote in the tech industry for many years. He works for LinkedIn and really enjoys the relationship portion of his current management role.

Mike and Chris will celebrate 40 years of marriage in 2023. Mike and Chris moved near Burnet in early 2021 from the Austin/Georgetown area, where they were members of the same church for 33 years. They have a daughter and son-in-law in the Austin area, and their son and his family are in Dallas (with two grandchildren).

Mike and Chris are each other's best friend and enjoy cycling, traveling, and serving together. They look forward to many years of service alongside the members of East Lake Fellowship and the surrounding community.