Get to know us

Our History

St. John’s Methodist Church was founded in 1900 in Stamford, Texas, just as the community was forming. St. John’s is part of the Global Methodist System.

  • Paul Wright

    Associate Pastor

  • Brett Patterson

    Children’s and Youth Director

  • Sharla Smith

    Church Secretary

  • Katrina Thane

    Church Secretary

Pastors and Staff

Paul Wright - Associate Pastor

Pastor Paul joined St. John’s Methodist Church of Stamford in 1999, following a 10-year career as Band Director and Coach at Stamford ISD. Feeling called to full-time ministry, he transitioned to serving the church community. He earned his Music Degree from Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas, in 1990. Alongside his wife, Lola, Pastor Paul also leads Common Ground Youth Ministries and serves as the chaplain for Stamford ISD. Paul and Lola are blessed with several children and grandchildren, and they cherish every moment spent with their family.

Brett Patterson - Children’s and Youth Director

Brett Patterson was raised in Stamford, Texas, and has been a part of St. John’s Methodist Church since he was a baby. His parents, Bryan and Joni Patterson, have been devoted members of the church family since the late 1990s and set a wonderful example of faith for him. After graduating from Stamford High School in 2020, Brett went on to study business at Weatherford College in Weatherford, Texas, while also pursuing a career in country music. In July 2022, while counseling at Camp Butman in Merkel, Texas, he felt God’s call to youth ministry. Since then, he has been serving as the youth director at St. John’s.

Sharla Smith - Church Secretary

Sharla Smith, originally from Avoca, is married to Kent, and they live in Rule. They have three children—Jill (married to Ronnie), Jody (married to Miranda), and Mckenna—and six grandchildren who bring them endless joy. After retiring as a caseworker for Elderly Medicaid with Texas Health and Human Services, Sharla has been actively involved at St. John's. A member for many years, she has taught children's Sunday school for over 16 years and now assists in the church office, with the Kids for Christ program, and in various ministries.

Katrina Thane - Church Secretary

Katrina Thane is married to Trussell and is blessed with three grown children—Victoria and Josh Holt, Luke, and Sean T—and two wonderful grandsons, Elijah and Samuel. She has been a member of St. John's for many years and has loved serving on the Praise Team for over 25 years. Before joining the team at St. John's, Katrina and Trussell ran an optometric practice for nearly three decades, where she was the Business Manager. After retiring, she started helping out at the church part-time and eventually took on the role of Financial Secretary. In this role, she handles banking, tithing reports, accounts payable/receivable, purchasing, and assists with worship services and the Kids for Christ ministry. Katrina finds great joy in serving her church family and everyone she meets at St. John's.

Ministry Support

Kristal Agal

Kristal has been attending St. John’s since 2021. She enjoys helping with the media and worship from behind the scenes and feels blessed to be part of such a loving church family. Serving alongside the congregation brings her joy and fulfillment as she supports the ministry in her unique way.

Azalea Andrade

Azalea has been with St. John’s for over eight years, working in the nursery and helping wherever she is needed. She loves seeing the children's big smiles as they walk in on Sunday mornings and feels honored to be part of their growth. Being a member of the St. John’s church family, along with her husband and children, brings her great joy and fulfillment.

Martha Andrade

Martha has been with St. John's for over 20 years, working in the nursery. She takes great joy in watching the little ones grow up into teenagers and finds fulfillment in the trust parents place in her. It warms her heart to hear parents express their appreciation, grateful for the care she provides for their children. Martha's long-standing role in the nursery has allowed her to be a cherished part of many families' lives.

Lori Gonzales

Lori has been working at St. John’s as a custodian since 2014. She is married to Mario, and together they have five children and six grandchildren. Lori loves the people she works with and takes great pride in serving the St. John’s congregation, a community that has stood by her family through all of life’s ups and downs.

Dusty Mathis

Dusty Mathis has been attending St. John’s since 1979 and began serving as a sound tech in 2019. He enjoys helping with the services and being part of the church community. Dusty is also a proud father of two sons - Tanner, Dalton (and his wife Kelsie), and has three beloved grandchildren - Brazos, Swayde, and Bowie.