St. Paul's United Methodist Church

Rev. Paul Barton was born on the Mexican-Texas border in Mission, Texas, one of four children to a United Methodist minister, Rev. Dr. Roy Barton, and his wife Rosa Marina Barton.  His mother immigrated with her family from Mexico to the Rio Grande Valley at the age of seven.  His father was born in Marfa to a Mexican mother and Anglo-American father. 

He graduated from Perkins School of Theology cum laude with an M.Div. degree.  He served as a student pastor to a Central American immigrant community at Puerta del Cielo in Garland during two years at Perkins.  He returned to the area of his birthplace at age 27 to serve as pastor of La Trinidad UMC in Pharr, Texas immediately after graduation in 1988. Following that, he was pastor of El Buen Samaritano in Kingsville and El Redentor in Bishop for a year and director of United Methodist Campus Ministry at University of Texas Rio Grande Valley from 1991-1992.  He served as pastor of Agape Memorial in Dallas from 1998-1999.

He is an elder in the Rio Texas Conference, having been ordained a deacon in the former Rio Grande Conference in 1986 and an elder in 1990.

He obtained his Ph.D. in Religious Studies, with a specialization in Church History from Southern Methodist University in 1999.  Upon graduation, he began his tenure teaching at Seminary of the Southwest in Austin as the Associate Professor in the History of American Christianity and Missiology and Director of Hispanic Church Studies.

He left Seminary of the Southwest to become the director of the Hispanic/Latino Ministries Program and the United Methodist Regional Course of Study School at Perkins School of Theology in 2015.  He remained at Perkins until May 2021. 

Paul became the half-time pastor of Casa Emanu-El UMC in Dallas in November 2020 and continutes in that position.  He has rejoiced at his return to pastoral ministry following several years in academia.  During his pastorate at Casa Emanu-El, he led a re-visioning process, which resulted in a new mission and vision statement and identification of the church’s core values.  He led the church in developing ministries that connected its members with their community.

He has been an instructor in various United Methodist Church Course of Study programs and editor of the journal “Apuntes,” published by Perkins School of Theology.

Paul is a board member of the General Commission on Archives and History of the UMC and the auxiliary committee of the General Commission on Archives and History, since 2012.

Following three years of study and practice, Paul graduated from the certificate program in spiritual direction and spiritual leadership called HeartPaths in May 2024.  He hopes to share his learning in spiritual formation, prayer, and spiritual disciplines with the church and community.

Paul has been married to his wife, Beth, for 37 years.  She is a piano and voice teacher at a music school in Prosper, Texas.  Their daughter, Elisa, age 29, is married to Surendra Sandrana.

Paul enjoys reading and spending time with his family,  He enjoys spending his vacations in natural settings and finds beauty and peace in nature.  He would like to learn to play the guitar with others in Kerrville.

Pat is a retired educator with over 40 years’ experience.  She taught elementary and high school students.  Most of her years in public schools were as an educational diagnostician, a person who tests and plans services for students with special needs/disabilities. She also held jobs as receptionists in offices and hotels over the years.

Pat reports that "I am very happy to be serving as admin asst here at St. Paul’s UMC."

Tom serves as our piano accompanist during all services, including special events. He also is a part of St. Paul's Bell Choir. When he is not working at the church, Tom has an estate sales business, and teaches vocal & piano lessons.

Marsha has a Master’s in Vocal Performance from Texas A&M Commerce (formerly ETSU) and a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Arkansas Tech University. During her 15 years teaching music and choir in the public schools, 5 years were at Peterson Middle School.

She has an extensive list of past and ongoing music and music educational experience.

An experienced bookkeeper, Lisa is the owner of Integrity Books, LLC in Kerrville. She holds a BA in Accounting from Schreiner University, where she was recognized for academic achievements for scholastic excellence in business as a Sigma Beta Delta member. Lisa is a member of Kerr County Women's Chamber and various professional organizations.

Joel serves as our Technology Coordinator.  His work at St. Paul's includes preparing the visual presentations for our congregants during weekly worship services, as well as processing audio and video elements for the livestream broadcasts for our members who are unable to attend services in person.  He is married to Linda Brundrett, whom many will recognize as a member of our church choir and leader of our "Fun and Fit" ladies' weekly exercise classes.  Joel is also active in leading Bible studies at the church, as well as providing the music for our Fellowship Night monthly gatherings.  He is a retired Civil Engineer and a Coast Guard veteran.  Joel's interests include loud rock-n-roll, hot rods, spectator sports, playing and teaching guitar, long walks, copious reading, volunteer work in our local community, and spending quality time with his lovely wife.