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.
Parish Associate, Congregational Care: EMAIL
Susan is happy to be a part of the Congregational Care team of the church, and to enjoy life in the beautiful Texas Hill Country with her son Ben, her daughter-in-law Haley, and her grandchildren Elias and Isla. She was educated as a physical therapist in England and had a long and satisfying career in this health ministry.
Susan received a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, followed by a Residency in Clinical Pastoral Education with the University of Washington Medical System in Seattle. She has worked as a chaplain in areas ranging from problem pregnancy and acute trauma through the end of life.
Being from England, Susan readily admits that her taste for grits is still a work in progress…but she does bake a mean scone…
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.
Administrative Assistant: EMAIL
Alicia joined the FPC team after several years working in customer service. She and her husband are raising two young children and delight in the many activities small-town living in Kerrville has to offer.
In her spare time, Alicia enjoys quilting, gardening, and nature--what she calls "dirt therapy."
Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry: EMAIL
Emily is a cradle Presbyterian who has spent the last 11 years at FPC Kerrville volunteering with the children and youth programs while obtaining and using an accounting degree. Emily and her fiancé, Franky, are planning a wedding for sometime fall 2023, they have two boxer pups and love having friends and family in their home. Emily loves to binge the latest Netflix show, travel, spend lots of time with family, and attend as many community activities as possible. She is very excited to be officially joining the staff at FPC to fully devote her time and energy to the youth and young adult programs.
Director of Children's Ministry: EMAIL
Prior to coming on staff at First Presbyterian Kerrville, Audrey had been an active volunteer and participant since 2012 with areas including the Koinonias after school program, Currie Enrichment Series and Christian Education Team. She continues to enjoy attending the Presbyterian Women night circle. Born in Montana, she was raised in Harper, Texas. She graduated from Austin High School after spending her junior year in Germany. She also works part-time for Kerr Business Services as a bookkeeper. Prior to her service at KBS, she was employed by the Dietert Senior Center. She also keeps house for her actor - stonemason husband, Mitch, and their two sons - Keaton and Harper.
In her spare time, you might find her cooking, walking, reading, spending time with her friends and family, or cooking some more.
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 fortunate to be able to retire from teaching to come to the YES Center. This will be her fifth year in this position.
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
Scott spent most of his life in Dallas where he graduated from high school and after graduating from Stephen F. Austin State University, he worked for two corporations at regional and national levels. Many long weekends spent on the family property west of Medina convinced him that there was a better life in the Hill Country and he and his family moved to Kerrville in 2002. It was at that point that he left the corporate life and became a stay at home Dad and spent countless hours watching his daughter Claire play tennis until she graduated from Tivy High School in 2013. Claire is now attending American University in Washington, D.C. and studying International Relations.
Now as the Director of Children’s Corner Preschool, Scott spends most of his time overseeing the program. He has shown and bred Rottweilers and PBGV’s (Petite Basset Griffon Vendeen) since the early 1990’s and loves being around the dogs. In addition to his time spent with the dogs, he is an avid reader and although frustrated with them at the moment, he is still a huge Cowboy fan.
Coordinating Care: 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.
Business Administrator: EMAIL
Mary spent 10 years teaching science in public school and 7 years directing environmental education programming for The Cibolo Nature Center in Boerne. Her background is in educational leadership with a Masters of Adult Learning and Education from UTSA. She is blessed with three adult children, and two wonderful grandchildren. Mary is married to David and they are living the dream on a small ranch just outside of Kerrville. Mary and David both love to take care of their little part of Texas by keeping it natural. "Come forth into the light of things, let nature be your teacher." - Wordsworth
Alfred is retired from the military (Army) as well as retired after 20 years with the Veterans Hospital working in the Environmental Management Department. Now as Facilities Manager, Alfred spends his time overseeing the daily maintenance of First Presbyterian and Children's Corner Preschool. Alfred and his wife of over 50 years, Christine, have four daughters, 7 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. When Alfred is not working or spending time with his family, you will find him fishing.
