J. Tom Washburn
Pulpit Minister
I have been the Pulpit Minister at Austin Avenue Church of Christ in Brownwood, TX, since July 2009. My wife, Julie, and I have a passion for ministry. Our mission in ministry has always been to introduce people to Jesus Christ and to share the message of grace with those both inside and outside the church.
I was an active faculty instructor for Walk Thru the Bible Ministries for over 10 years and have taught at the Red River Family Encampment (RRFE) for over 30 years. Presently, I am the Chairman of the Board of the RRFE. I also serve on the Board of CWJC (Christian Women's Job Corps) and have been active in Rotary, serving as President, and Kiwanis. I am very involved with the church's Philippines mission and hope someday to retire and spend part of every year helping the church there. I have taught at Lubbock Christian and served on the Board of directors of NTLTC (North Texas Leadership Training for Christ) for over 17 years.
I was born in Midland, Texas. Julie and I have two sons and we are very proud grandparents. I grew up in both Midland and Sugarland, TX, and Magnolia, AR, graduating high school in Weatherford, TX. I am a graduate of Lubbock Christian College with a degree in Bible. I have additional studies in the L.C.U. Masters program.
I began my ministry at Broadway Church of Christ in Lubbock, TX, as an intern In 1981, I was the Youth Minister for Ft. Worth and Jax/Fairmont Park Church of Christ. In 1984, Julie and I moved to Portales, NM, where I was the Youth Minister at Third and Kilgore Church of Christ until 1990. From there, I moved back to Lubbock to work for the South Plains Church of Christ. In 1993, I became the Associate Minister for Sunset Church of Christ in Lubbock, TX. I began my pulpit work in 2000 when my family and I moved to Enid, OK, where I served North Garland Church of Christ.
I was an active faculty instructor for Walk Thru the Bible Ministries for over 10 years and have taught at the Red River Family Encampment (RRFE) for over 30 years. Presently, I am the Chairman of the Board of the RRFE. I also serve on the Board of CWJC (Christian Women's Job Corps) and have been active in Rotary, serving as President, and Kiwanis. I am very involved with the church's Philippines mission and hope someday to retire and spend part of every year helping the church there. I have taught at Lubbock Christian and served on the Board of directors of NTLTC (North Texas Leadership Training for Christ) for over 17 years.
I was born in Midland, Texas. Julie and I have two sons and we are very proud grandparents. I grew up in both Midland and Sugarland, TX, and Magnolia, AR, graduating high school in Weatherford, TX. I am a graduate of Lubbock Christian College with a degree in Bible. I have additional studies in the L.C.U. Masters program.
I began my ministry at Broadway Church of Christ in Lubbock, TX, as an intern In 1981, I was the Youth Minister for Ft. Worth and Jax/Fairmont Park Church of Christ. In 1984, Julie and I moved to Portales, NM, where I was the Youth Minister at Third and Kilgore Church of Christ until 1990. From there, I moved back to Lubbock to work for the South Plains Church of Christ. In 1993, I became the Associate Minister for Sunset Church of Christ in Lubbock, TX. I began my pulpit work in 2000 when my family and I moved to Enid, OK, where I served North Garland Church of Christ.
Lance Havens
Associate Minister
I am the Associate Minister at Austin Ave. I get to work with Adult Education, Family Ministry, Small Groups, and I am involved in various administrative duties of the congregation. As such, I wear many hats, but ultimately in all tasks, I seek to “love God and love others.”
I have a background as both a Youth Minister, and I’m also a licensed speech-language pathologist. I love hiking, backpacking, books, movies, kettlebells, and great Mexican food. I am blessed to be Jamie’s husband and Kip and Callie’s dad. Mostly, I’m a servant of Jesus, and I proclaim his Lordship.
I have a background as both a Youth Minister, and I’m also a licensed speech-language pathologist. I love hiking, backpacking, books, movies, kettlebells, and great Mexican food. I am blessed to be Jamie’s husband and Kip and Callie’s dad. Mostly, I’m a servant of Jesus, and I proclaim his Lordship.
JYLES WOOTTON
Youth Minister
I graduated from Angelo State University in 2022 (I'm shocked too) with a bachelor's degree in education specializing in middle school. While at university, I served as the Vice President of Rams for Christ for 2 years and President for 1 year before starting my education career in Bangs, TX. At Bangs, I coached Middle School girl's volleyball, basketball, and track. I also taught 6th grade math for 2 years. Although I am not employed by a school anymore, I still consider myself a teacher at heart. I strive to apply skills that I have acquired from my time in the classroom to help bring the Bible to life in real and applicable ways with the goal of leading teens to develop a relationship with King Jesus that will last a lifetime!
I have loved working with the families and church here in Brownwood and look forward to many years of service shoulder-to-shoulder with my church family.
I have loved working with the families and church here in Brownwood and look forward to many years of service shoulder-to-shoulder with my church family.
Shanna Klutts
Children's Minister
My husband, Waylon, and I moved to Brownwood in the fall of 2019 from Midland, Tx. I am a former theatre and English teacher. My experience in those fields helps me bring creativity, enthusiasm, and organizational skills to the Children’s Ministry here at Austin Avenue. Waylon and I were married in 2002, and we have three children - Anwynne, Hayden, and Eliza - and one fur-baby - Sheriff.
As Children’s Minister, I get the honor and privilege of pouring Jesus into the hearts and minds of all of the children in the congregation from birth to 6th grade (and beyond!). I run the children’s Bible classes, Kids Matter activities, 412 Ministries, VBS, Children’s Message, and Children’s Worship. I am happiest when I am with the children, so I am smiling constantly.
As Children’s Minister, I get the honor and privilege of pouring Jesus into the hearts and minds of all of the children in the congregation from birth to 6th grade (and beyond!). I run the children’s Bible classes, Kids Matter activities, 412 Ministries, VBS, Children’s Message, and Children’s Worship. I am happiest when I am with the children, so I am smiling constantly.
Roland Bowen
Missions Consultant
I have been at Austin Avenue church of Christ serving as Adult Education Director and Missions Minister since 1996. I graduated from Bear Valley School of Preaching in 1981 and started my career at Bell Avenue church of Christ in Amarillo, TX. I began my tenure at Austin Avenue after serving in the missions field, first in Cordoba, Argentina, from 1984-1985, then in Santiago, Chile, from 1987-1996. In addition to teaching classes at Austin Avenue, I continue to make overseas trips and missionary site visits. My wife, Carol, and I have three grown children and one grandchild.
Sarah Bowen
Receptionist & Social Media
I have been here since I was a baby. Austin Avenue church of Christ has helped raise me, teach me, and transform me. I was away for a few years when I attended Abilene Christian University from 2001-2005. I met my husband here when we were in the youth group together.
Aaron, my husband, and I went to high school together at Brownwood High School, dated while we were in college, and then married in the Fall of 2008. And we have one amazing son, Gordon.
I am currently the 2-year-old class coordinator. That means I help Shanna out as much as I can for that particular class. I also lead the Take Them A Meal Ministry for the church.
Aaron, my husband, and I went to high school together at Brownwood High School, dated while we were in college, and then married in the Fall of 2008. And we have one amazing son, Gordon.
I am currently the 2-year-old class coordinator. That means I help Shanna out as much as I can for that particular class. I also lead the Take Them A Meal Ministry for the church.
donita tyson
Record Keeping
I was raised in Plains, Texas and my home church was Denver City Church of Christ. I met my husband, Tyrel Tyson, in the second grade. We married on March 1, 2003, and moved to Ruidoso, New Mexico in November of 2003. We had our oldest son, Tell, in 2008 and our second oldest, Orrin, in 2011. We moved to Brownwood in January 2012. We added a third son, Beckett, in 2014 and our youngest girl, Tayla, in 2017. My husband, Tyrel, has been an electrician for Grimsley Electric for almost 8 years. We love Brownwood and our church family!
I started here at the church office in May of 2021. As the records secretary, I am in charge of creating and printing the bulletins on Sundays, recording baptisms, the number of people present, members that have moved away, and all other records for the church. My coworkers say I bring a bright and fun atmosphere to the office!
I started here at the church office in May of 2021. As the records secretary, I am in charge of creating and printing the bulletins on Sundays, recording baptisms, the number of people present, members that have moved away, and all other records for the church. My coworkers say I bring a bright and fun atmosphere to the office!
darlene gressett
Bookkeeping
My husband, Bill, and I moved to Brownwood in November of 2014 and began attending Austin Avenue in March of 2015. I was born in Tahoka, TX, and grew up in Coahoma, TX. I married Bill on April 4, 1974, and together we have 2 children and 4 grandchildren. I am retired from banking and started working as the bookkeeper for Austin Avenue in September 2017. I love spending time with my family, attending my grandchildren’s activities, and serving others.
Melinda Baugh
Custodian
I started working at Austin Avenue church of Christ in March 2015. My job is to "keep this awesome church tidy!" I moved to Brownwood in 2001, where I met her husband, Brant, through this very church! We have an amazing son, Trine.
Elders & wives
Chad & Lisa Benton
Engineering Manager @ 3M
Kent & Deanie Comolli
Retired
Tony & Leta Salazar
Retired
Darrell & Marilyn Haynes
Lawyer @ Haynes Law Firm, P.C.
Stephen & Lori Haynes
Lawyer @ Haynes Law Firm, P.C. & Mayor of Brownwood
Tim & Kerri Jacobs
Pharmacist & Owner of Jacobs Family Pharmacy & Weakley Watson
Mitch & Julie Moore
Assistant Superintendent of Business & Finance @ Brownwood ISD
Bill & Janie Pursch
Business Owner of Heart of Texas Mechanical Contracting, LLC