Calvin Warpula was baptized at the age of ten in Kingston, TN. Calvin began preaching in the Churches of Christ at age fifteen in northwest AL. After finishing high school at Mars Hill Bible School in Florence, AL, Calvin graduated from Freed-Hardeman University (A.A.), Abilene Christian University (B. A., M. A.), West Texas A & M University (M.A.), and Fuller Theological Seminary (D.Min.). He has conducted some two hundred gospel meetings, workshops, and seminars. Calvin met his wife, Judy Hammitt of Pittsfield, IL, at Freed-Hardeman University. They have been married 1965 and are the parents of four children and 13 grandchildren. In 1998, Judy graduated from Angelo State University in San Angelo with a B. S. in Early Childhood Education. She is now retired after 11 years of teaching in the public school systems. In 1968, Calvin and Judy entered full-time ministry. Calvin was the preaching minister at the San Jose church in Jacksonville, Florida for seven years. In Texas, he has preached for the Johnson St. church in San Angelo, the Eldridge Rd. church in Sugar Land, and the Southwest church in Amarillo. If you would like to contact Calvin by email, his address is cwarpula@westuchurch.com.

Reni Burns is the director  of our Footsteps program. Prior to stepping into the director’s position, she taught in the classroom for 8 years. Reni grew up in West University Place, attended West U Elementary, Pershing and Lamar High School. She went on to attend HCC and Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX.  Reni is an active volunteer for Mark Twain PTO, Houston Livestock Show and West University Girls Softball. She has four wonderful daughters and a very supportive husband.

Reni grew up attendingWest U Church of Christ. She was baptized in 1980 at West U Church. She and her “high school sweetheart”, Corby Burns, were married at West U Church in1994. After living in the U.K. for three years, Reni, Corby and her first daughter, Allie, returned to live in Houston. She and her family are currently members atWest U Church of Christ were they serve and worship. 

Reni’s hobbies include camping with her family, spending time with friends, shuttling her children to various activities, cooking and maintaining their home.

You can contact Reni at reni.burns@gmail.com.

Christy McDonald is our business manager. She has been a part of the West University congregation since 2000 and has served in many roles. Christy has taught Sunday School and been active with Footsteps, our Mother's Day Out program, our Children's Ministry and served as church secretary for four years.

Christy is originally from Michigan and moved to Texas in September of 1993 for college. She and her husband Ryan met at work in Corpus Christi, Texas, in January of 1994 and later married in January of 2003. In June of 2005 they welcomed their first child, Abagail, and Lily in 2010. They moved to Houston to attend school and follow Ryan's career in August of 1998. They have been members of the congregation at West University since May of 2000. Christy loves to travel and does whenever she gets the chance. She likes to read and is rediscovering the outdoors with her daughters.  You can contact her at cmcdonald@westuchurch.com

Jay Roberts serves as our youth minister.  Jay joined the staff in 2011.  We are grateful for him committing to serve our teenagers.  

Mark Rue is the church custodian. Mark is a native Houstonian who grew up in the West U. congregation. He graduated from Bellaire High School and attended North Harris Community College for a brief time until he began employment with Compaq Computers. His work for Compaq was primarily as a computer technician in constructing servers and other equipment. He also drove a school bus for about two years for a private bus company. As a young man Mark joined the Boy Scouts and achieved the rare rank of Eagle Scout in 1994, something that is attained by less than 4% of Boy Scouts. As a teenager he worked as a volunteer at the V.A. Hospital. He was baptized in May of 1998 at West U. and now works maintaining our facilities. With Footsteps and other activities around the church building, Mark's job is never-ending in preparing for the next event. We appreciate his work and efforts very much. Mark's father is one of the church deacons.

Janet Cockerham serves as our church secretary, joining us in February of 2010.  Janet’s background is in purchasing management, but more recently served on another church staff for 9 years. Janet has been married to her husband for 31 years.  They raised 5 children and have 8 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. She has served with her husband in many ministries including teaching SundaySchool, children’s ministry, couples ministry and Christian counseling.  Janet’s hobbies include decorative painting and crafts. She is a certified decorative painting teacher and enjoys teaching others to paint.