Scripture is clear that the elders of the local church are entrusted with protecting, leading, equipping, serving and caring for the church. We have committed to the concept of team leadership - or an elder led church. Our elders work together to steward the church body in all areas. All of our elders are readily accessible to the church body for guidance, support, and prayer. (1 Peter 5:1-4) Below are short bios of our pastors and elder team listed in alphabetical order:
Austin Evers: Austin serves Church at East as co-pastor. He enjoys teaching and his role as an elder. The Evers family is passionate about creating community with their co-workers and neighbors, showing the beauty of the kingdom through dinners and loud laughing. Austin also works as the construction director at Austin Habitat for Humanity. Lilibeth, Austin’s wife, is an Occupational Therapist with the Austin Independent School District where she serves kids all over the city. They have two sons, Asher and Toven.
Ellen Fagin: Ellen serves Church at East as an elder and administrative assistant. She also enjoys serving with the Children's Ministry and volunteering in other areas. Outside of her professional work as an administrative professional, Ellen loves spending time with her family and friends and strives to be a support and comfort for those in her life. She has a miniature dachshund, Harrison, who often accompanies her on adventures around Austin.
Holly Phillips: Holly serves Church at East as co-pastor, administrator, and elder. She loves keeping things organized and helping others find a place to serve and belong. In addition to her work with the church she works as a spiritual director, walking alongside others bearing witness to their lives. Her partner Brian works in music production and together they are raising three kids: Whitman, Gillian and Hollis. They are committed to living simply and purposefully.
Jen Lewis: Jen serves Church at East as an elder & volunteer with the Children’s Ministry. She enjoys her work and calling as the founder of an ethical fashion handbag brand, thoughtfully and fairly employing global artisans. When she’s not designing purses, you can find her and her husband Jonathan running around the backyard with their two daughters Grey and Paige.
Kim Power: Kim serves Church at East as an elder. She is a regular helping in the children’s ministry but loves jumping in to serve in a variety of ways. She works as an architect and finds meaning in helping others improve their lives through the built environment. She and her husband Travis have two daughters, Lilliana and Siena. They love the active outdoor Austin lifestyle, but their favorite thing to do is walking to coffee shops in their neighborhood to eat pastries and play Exploding Kittens.