It is a lot more enjoyable to minister together than to minister alone. We view each person as having gifts that God has given them to serve other people. You can get an idea of who the team that God has assembled here to lead this church in worship, connecting with others and serving our world.
Chris Cobb, Pastor
Chris Cobb has been the pastor of Western Hills Baptist Church since April, 2007. Chris is a native of Virginia and graduated from Baylor with a B.B.A. in Management. He completed the Master of Divinity degree at Truett Seminary in 2000 and Doctor of Ministry degree at Truett Seminary in 2007. Chris has also received life-coach training from Coaching4Clergy and enjoys working to help individuals and groups reach their potential.
Prior to his service at Western Hills, Chris served as a Hospice Chaplain, Pastoral Associate at Dayspring Baptist, Youth Pastor at Highland Baptist, and Associate Pastor of Administration and Youth at Harvest-House of Prayer all of which are in Waco, Texas. In addition Chris has worked in the business world in both management and sales.
Chris is married to Kelly and they have three children. Chris enjoys mountain biking, working in the yard, coaching lacrosse, attending his kid’s athletic events, camping and playing any board game.
What is your favorite part of serving at Western Hills?
I love Western Hills because of its diversity and sincerity. This community of faith takes following Jesus seriously, but does it with a smile. I have found this church to be a family who cares deeply for each other and for the needs of the community. Western Hills is a great place to grow spiritually, both challenging and nourishing at the same time.
What books have most influenced your spiritual growth?
I read too many books to answer this question. But I have been largely influenced by the works of Dallas Willard, David Garland, N.T. Wright, C.S. Lewis, Wendell Berry and Eugene Peterson.
Why have you chosen to work as a pastor?
Frederick Buechner once wrote that we find our life’s calling at the intersection of our hearts deepest gladness and the world’s deepest need. I find this intersection in my vocation: I love being a pastor and being able to help people connect to God. Being a pastor helps me fulfill my life's calling which is helping people create maps that lead them to God.
What is the best movie you have seen in the past year?
Most of the movies I watch are ‘kid-friendly’ because we watch together as a family. I don't care what the critics said, I liked Shrek Forever After - the 3d was fun. I have a soft spot in my heart for classics…give me a Jimmy Stewart, Gregory Peck or Cary Grant movie any day of the week! I did recently see Invictus which was very good.
Barry Feriend, Music Minister
Barry began his service at Western Hills in November 2010, as interim music minister and became our "Official" Music Minister in June 2011. A graduate of Wayland Baptist University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, he came to us having served many Southern Baptist churches during thirty-five years of ministry.
Keeping all their work on the Westside of Fort Worth, is a priority for Barry and Ann, his wife of thirty-six years. Western Hills Primary School takes the bulk of Barry’s time during the week, where he teaches music. His biggest fear is welcoming parents to Western Hills Baptist Church, at a PTA meeting!
Barry and Ann reside in Weatherford, very close to their son, Adam and his wife Mende. They have three grandsons who bring many days of joy to their lives. Their daughter, Jana, lives in Fort Worth and was married in April 2011.
If you don’t find Barry in the music classroom, or leading worship, he is probably working in his yard, golfing or piloting a Cessna 182, with a friend , in the skies over north or central Texas. He is also an active member in the Singing Men of North Central Texas. His ministry in song has taken him to Scotland, China, Europe and Russia on partnership missions and eight years he spent singing with the nationally acclaimed, Grammy nominated chorus, The Centurymen, Buryl Red, conductor.
Barry ‘s philosophy of church music is simply to equip the congregation to express their “heart-language” of love and commitment to God in a very personal way. This can be done in the use of our beloved hymns of faith and many of the wonderful praise songs and tender choruses that draw our fellowship as a congregation closer. It is a personal joy for him to rehearse a wonderfully talented and supportive choir each week, but his greater vision is for the congregational choir. He believes all those who attend worship have a responsibility and privilege to lift their voice in praise.
When asked what brought him out of semi-retirement to serve Western Hills Baptist Church, he said, “I found a very friendly and loving congregation, upon our visiting. I also sensed and have found a committed and encouraging pastor and staff who have a heart for God’s Word. “
Alicia Kiesling, Office Administrator
Alicia is the Office Administrator here at Western Hills Baptist Church. She grew up in Illinois and went to college in Missouri. She graduated from Hannibal-LaGrange University with a Bachelors in Education. Previously, Alicia taught 4th/5th grade math to struggling students in Missouri, and substitute taught in the Fort Worth area.
Alicia met her husband, Brandon, in college and they got married in June 2010. A month after getting married, they moved to Fort Worth for Brandon to go to Seminary. Brandon will graduate in a few years and plans on becoming a pastor.
When Alicia is not working, she loves to hang out with her husband and puppy. They love to play games and just have fun!
They are being obedient to God's call on their lives while here in Texas and can't wait to see what God has planned for their future!
J.D. Evers, Youth Pastor
J. D. Evers has been the youth pastor of Western Baptist Church since December 2010. J. D. is a native of Texas and graduated from UT Arlington with a B.S. in Computer Science. He is completing a Masters of Divinity in Theology at George W. Truett Theological Seminary.
Prior to his service at Western Hills, J. D. served as a Youth Intern in Berri, South Australia, Student Missionary in Dundee, South Africa, and English Tutor in Bangkok, Thailand. In addition J. D. has worked in the computer world as a Software Engineer.
J. D. is married to Darcy who teaches 4th Grade at Hommel Elementary School in Everman, TX. J. D. enjoys non-competitive bodybuilding, computer gaming, movies, traveling and dining out.
What is your favorite part of serving at Western Hills?
I love Western Hills because its embedded beliefs about community service are lived out in its actions. The authenticity and humility of its members make it a wonderful place to raise a family and grow spiritually
What books have most influenced your spiritual growth?
1 John, Absolute Surrender, My Utmost for His Highest, anything written by Andrew Murray, Charles Spurgeon or John Wesley.
Why have you chosen to work as a youth pastor?
God has called me to be a pastor to this technology driven generation. Being a teenager is the most challenging, most exciting, and most critical time in life. It is during these years people generally decided their faith, family values, and direction. My goal is to shape youth into a faith- driven life-living model with the knowledge that God knows what is best for each of them.
What is the best movie you have seen in the past year?
I love watching action movies or romantic comedies with my wife. The best new movie I have seen is probably Date Night. It is the perfect balance of comedy, action, and romance. I love anything with Jason Statham, John Wayne, or Jet Li.
Helen Rogers, Pianist
Helen has served as church accompanist at Western Hills Baptist Church since August 1st 2007 and in Oct. 2008 became the director for the Celebration choir at Western Hills Baptist Church. Helen is almost a native of Texas having lived in Texas since the age of four and in Fort Worth since the age of seven. Helen attended the University of Texas at Arlington on a full tuition piano scholarship and graduated in 1981 with a degree in Music Education and a double emphasis in piano performance and voice.
Prior to coming to Western Hills, Helen served as staff accompanist at Ridglea West Baptist Church for 28 years and served as a volunteer working with the Young Musician’s children’s choir program. Helen is bi-vocational having been a music educator for 22 years. She is currently choral director at Summer Creek Middle school in Crowley, Texas. Choirs under her direction have consistently earned sweepstakes rating at UIL Contest and “Best in Class “awards at various festivals.
When Helen is not playing the piano, singing or directing a choir, she loves “antiquing”, gardening and spending time with her high school sweetheart of 31 years. Helen and Mark have two beautiful daughters Diana Taylor who resides in Denton with her husband Josh and Samantha Rogers who lives in Fort Worth.
“I am grateful beyond words that God brought me to Western Hills Baptist Church. The people are warm and loving, kind and creative. I enjoy being at WHBC because the people have a real opportunity to serve and grow in a truly nurturing environment where no one is too old or too young to take part in worship.“
