Ministry Staff
Senior Pastor
“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” Acts 20:24
I wasn’t born in Texas but I got here as quick as I could! I actually was born on the East Coast but grew up on the West Coast in California. After graduating high school in 1982 (oh my gosh, that was 25 years ago!) I moved to Southern California to attend college. In 1984 I married Belva Barfoot, a beautiful Long Beach, CA native. Together we have a son, Justin (19) and daughter Olivia (16).
As a family, we love to camp in our pop-up trailer and have been to parks from coast to coast. This year, we bit the bullet and bought a Jet Ski and have a great time out on the water as a family. On a personal level, I enjoy working in the yard and working out at the gym. You can find anything from Michael W. Smith to Johnny Cash to the Oak Ridge Boys to Barlow Girl or Super Chick on my MP3 player.
You have checked us out on the web, now come and check us out live!
Music Minister
Cecil Garner, a native of Sawyer, Oklahoma has served as Music Minister at Rittenhouse Baptist Church for the since 2002. In more than 20 years of local church ministry, Cecil has adopted a refreshing honesty and transparency while maintaining a keen sense of humor. During his many years of ministry, Cecil had accrued over 30 awards and diplomas for leadership and outstanding service. Additionally, Cecil studied Church Music at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and has over 500 hours of Church Study Courses through SBC and is currently an active member of the AACC (American Association of Christian Counselors).
Cecil and his wife Becky have been married for 38 years and have three children, Lori, Michael and Melissa, the accompanying in-laws and several grand-children.
Youth Minister
I was born in Southwest Houston and have lived here all of my
life with the exception of one year I spent at Blinn Junior College. My family
was members of Westbury Baptist Church from the time I can remember, and I
attended Westbury High School as well. Though I was raised in the church, it
wasn’t until the age of 16 that I became a Christian. In the years following, I
pursued a secular music career, but ended up discovering that avenue was not
right for me.
By the age of 19 I began leading worship for the Youth group at Westbury
Baptist, and over the next 5 years became a part-time worship leader for several
different churches and denominations across the Houston area. After a month-long
mission trip to Swaziland, Africa in June of 2004, I became the Student Pastor
at Memorial Drive Baptist Church. During this time I graduated from Houston
Baptist University with a double major in Christianity and Psychology.
Around July of 2006 I began feeling called away from Memorial Drive, and also to
enroll in a Masters program at Fuller Theological Seminary. I still maintained a
strong love for youth, so when Anthony Surber informed me of the open Student
Pastor position here at Rittenhouse, I knew immediately I needed to speak to
Pastor Clay. I grew up in a multicultural neighborhood and so I’ve always wanted
to be in a church that resembled my upbringing and was passionate about reaching
out their community. I believe to have found that in Rittenhouse Baptist and
could not be more excited about serving here!
Ministry Assistant
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6
Maxine Sarver has served on staff at Rittenhouse Baptist Church for the past 9 years fulfilling many capacities and she has been a member of Rittenhouse Baptist Church for 24 years. She has a long history of service in ministry with the GA’s (Girls in Action Missions Training). Each year, she serves as Director of the Girls’ Mission Camp and currently, she is serving as the Union Baptist Association’s GA Consultant.
Maxine is a native of Humble, TX and enjoys good, local Tex-Mex cuisine.
Webmasters
Please feel free to email Jason & Michele with any corrections, ideas, or suggestions for the website. This website belongs to all of us at RBC and we want everyone to have a say in how it looks and operates.
