Our staff is a beautiful mix of talented individuals, and the variety of their backgrounds creates a dynamic team ready to serve.
Learn a little more about them by reading below!
Senior Pastor/Head of Staff: EMAIL
Pastor Jasiel is originally from the beautiful town of Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico. Orizaba is known for its known for its historic colonial buildings, coffee production, and comfortable weather all year long. He came to the United States to attend Presbyterian Pan American School in Kingsville, TX. He continued his education at Schreiner University (B.B.A in Marketing) and Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary (M.Div.), receiving the Charles L. King Preaching Award and the David L. Stitt Graduate Fellowship for academic excellence. Upon graduation, Jasiel served for two years (2018-2020) as a Lake Fellow Pastoral Resident at Second Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis, IN. He began his ministry working in the areas of mission, pastoral care, and young adult ministries. His ministry continued at Central Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, GA, as Associate Pastor (2020-2022) and Acting Head of Staff (2023). Jasiel has been part of various national cohorts through the Montreat Conference Center and the Ministry Collaborative. He is currently an Associate Editor for the national publication Journal for Preachers. As Senior Pastor/Head of Staff, Jasiel provides visionary leadership for the church and broader community, leading the staff and working alongside the church Session to faithfully and courageously guide the congregation in the new post-pandemic world. Jasiel is known as a dynamic preacher, savvy conflict manager, thought-provoking teacher, and easy-going friend and colleague. Jasiel is married to Jessie Trawick Garcia, a gifted educator currently teaching English at Center Point High School. She has taught German for the last eight years and has taken students abroad multiple times. They met in Austin after she completed her masters at the University of Texas in Austin - Hook ‘em! They have a fluffy 12-year-old chow-mix dog named Dudley.
Pastor for Faith Formation: EMAIL
Susan joined our staff in the fall of 2024. She is delighted to combine so many of the things she enjoys here at First Presbyterian Church: faith formation for children, work with the adults, worship, and pastoral care. Susan has a background in Christian education and is a recent graduate of Austin Seminary. She is thrilled to be a newly ordained pastoral associate here at First Kerrville. Susan and her husband, Rob, make their home in New Braunfels, strategically located between family in San Antonio and Austin. Susan actually enjoys her biweekly commutes through the Texas Hill Country. Talk with her about best podcasts and freeway avoiding routes!
Organist: EMAIL
Sabrina is privileged to serve as organist for the First Presbyterian Church In Kerrville, Texas. She has previously been organist at the First Methodist Church in Kerrville (2002-2019), First Presbyterian in San Antonio (1997-2002) and Travis Park UMC in San Antonio (1995-1997). She studied organ with Dr. Frank Speller at The University of Texas (DMA 1995), Dr. Bess Hieronymus (MM 1990) and Suzanne Schulz-Widmar. She studied piano with Dr. J.K. Hodges (UTSA) and Drusilla Huffmaster (Southwestern University). Her daughter is Audrey Jellett who is currently studying cello at Manhattan School of Music in N.Y.C.
Director of Choral Music: EMAIL
Seth A. Lafler serves as the Adult Choir Director at First Presbyterian Church of Kerrville. He is also Director of Choral Music and the Fine Arts Chair at Tivy High School in Kerrville ISD and sings professionally in San Antonio Chamber Choir. Before coming to Kerrville, Seth spent two years in Georgetown ISD where he taught choir at Forbes Middle School.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts in music with a minor in business administration from Texas State University in 2010. Lafler is an active member of Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Choral Directors Association, and American Choral Directors Association.
Director of Finances and Youth: EMAIL
Emily is a cradle Presbyterian who has been at FPC Kerrville since 2011. She got her accounting degree from Schreiner University in 2015 and has worked for several non-profits in the Kerrville area as an accountant. She and her husband, Franky, have two boxers and a cat. They love to host family in their home and have it filled with the running feet and laughter of their many nieces and nephews. Emily loves youth ministry and is eager to spend her time engaging with the 6th-12th graders at FPC both inside and outside of the church. Have a great school or club event coming up? Let Emily know!
Administrative Assistant: EMAIL
LaJuan and her husband (Bill) made Kerrville their home following her retirement as a Public Health Specialist from the Texas Dept of State Health Services in Tyler. She attended Louisiana Tech University for her undergrad degree and University of Texas-Tyler for her graduate degree. Her greatest joys come from spending time with her family and being a “Grammy” to her two grandsons. She also enjoys working in her yard, reading, and as much front porch time as possible. Her post-retirement activities have included a previous time of serving in our church office, and she is grateful for the opportunity to be back as part of the FPC team again.
Children's Music Director: EMAIL
My name is Mrs. Alysse O'Brien and I am the Children's Music Director here at First Presbyterian Church Kerrville. My beautiful family is: my husband, Josh O’Brien who works at Hal Peterson Middle School and my two daughters, Eowyn and Arwen who attend Nimitz Elementary, where I work as a Music Teacher during the week. I love the feeling you get when a piece of music truly touches your soul!
Y.E.S. Center Director: EMAIL
Ann Reynolds spent the first 23 years of her life in Fredonia, N.Y. where she grew up and then attended S.U.N.Y. at Fredonia to receive her Bachelor’s degree in Education. She then moved to Texas and attended the University of Houston to complete a Masters in Education.
Ann taught school for 34 years which included positions in New York, Houston, Bryan, and then Kerrville I.S.D. She taught at Peterson Middle School for 25 years before becoming the Director of the YES Center. Ann considers herself very liberal and fortunate to be able to retire from teaching to come to the YES Center.
Ann is the proud parent of 2 beautiful daughters who both live in Austin. Her joys in life are spending time with her girls, theatre, and playing cello. She is a member of our church choir, Fredericksburg Community Orchestra and Sofi Strings Quartet. She has been very active in Playhouse 2000 and the Point Theatre.
Children's Corner Preschool Director: EMAIL
Director of Engagement: EMAIL
Shannon was raised in Kerrville and has been fortunate enough to be a 3rd generation member of FPC of Kerrville. After graduating from The University of Texas at Austin she worked for state government and at a local children’s camp. Shannon and her husband Mark have two grown daughters, Katerina and Kristina. In her spare time, Shannon loves to spend time with her grandsons, travel, walk, read, cook, share fellowship with family and friends and of course, attend UT football games! She loves her church family and is excited to be a part of the Congregational Care Team.
Facility Manager: EMAIL
Mr. Jones is a Houston native and has worked in churches for over 20 years. He and his wife moved to Kerrville four years ago to settle in a more peaceful community. They have two adult daughters, one of whom lives in San Antonio.
