Get to Know the Proposed Board Members for 2006 Revision 1.1

The current single Board is changing the structure to create two separate but interactive Boards to provide different ministry needs for 2006 and beyond: Finance and Vision Boards.

The purpose of the change is to offer more accountability and to allow the diversity of the selected members to better serve FOM.

The current Board spent time looking at the current membership and chose members who have demonstrated a commitment to FOM and have a particular SHAPE (Spiritual Gift(s), Heart, Abilities, Passion and Experience) to be a Board member. In addition, to avoid any conflict of interest, Board members should not be paid staff members, with the exception of the Senior Pastor, who serves as President of the current Board and the future Finance and Vision Boards.

The following individuals have been proposed to the church members as Board members for 2006 for the Finance Board:

· Scott Oldenburgh*, Senior Pastor and President

· Jimmy Lemons (current Board member)

· Linda Olson

· Craig Reese

· Gavin Robertson* (current Board member and Vice President)

· Robert Simons

· Skip Strickland

The following individuals have been proposed to the church members as Board members for 2006 for the Vision Board:

· Scott Oldenburgh*, Senior Pastor and President

· Guy Dixon

· Glenda Gonzales

· Kelly Ann Holden (current Board member)

· Ron Perry (current Board member)

· Gavin Robertson* (current Board member and Vice President)

· Chris Stoker (current Board member)

*The Board agreed that two members would serve on both Boards to better communicate areas of unity and disagreement between both groups.

The current Bylaws are being rewritten to better reflect FOM’s operational structure. As part of the rewritten Bylaws, there will be rules governing voting and interaction between the two Boards.

The following hopefully allows you to get to know the proposed Board members. Please feel free to contact and talk to them directly at any time.

Get to Know the Proposed FINANCE Board Members

FINANCE: Jimmy Lemons (current Board member)

I have been around business since I was very young through my Dad and uncles. I started buying and selling candy and pencils, etc. at school during 2^nd and 3^rd grade and was talked to many times by the Principal and teachers concerned that my desk/lockers were full of sale items, not books, which were in other people’s lockers. I began buying, fixing up and selling bikes, then motorcycles, ATV, go-carts, etc., and eventually cars, as I got older. This led to my Dad and I buying our first dealership in 1990. We moved it in 1994 after buying land at a government auction and building a new facility. In 1997, I bought a motorcycle dealership, Yamaha West, and added a Suzuki dealership three months later. We moved to fifth in sales in the nation, including finance options. Later in 2001, I sold both dealerships and in 2003, I retired from that business. I am currently involved in real estate through investing in shopping centers and free-standing buildings.

I became a Christian at 8-years old and was baptized at First Baptist Church of Burleson where my Dad, Mom and last-living grandmother are members. My grandfather on Dad’s side was a preacher and I was very blessed to know him and to have his guidance and love to follow the Lord.

My family consists of my wonderful wife of 8 years, Lisa, my two incredible daughters, Jaymie and Jaycee, and two wonderful stepdaughters Brittany and Kali.

My history with FOM goes back six/seven years when we received a mailer when we used to live in Southeast Arlington for the marriage series and we were newlyweds. We thought that we should go to see what everyone fights about, so, that we would not. We have been with FOM every since and have grown together and with our church family. I have been a Life Group Leader of a group that grew to about 35 and then split into two groups. We are now part of a Life Group that meets on Friday evenings. I was a Life Group Pastor for over a year and then stepped down realizing that God may have something a little different for me, such as being more involved in the Finance Board. We are happy to call FOM our church family. We have been loved and encouraged more than we thought possible by a church. Lastly, the main reason we joined FOM was because of the realness and heartfelt desire throughout the church to connect and love, and be loved. To really learn and live God’s way of life and not just do church.

I can be best reached at 817-426-4231 (h) or jmlaps@yahoo.com.

FINANCE: Linda Olson

I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior when I was 13 years old in a small Baptist church in San Antonio. My father was a Deacon and a Church Planter (starts churches). My mother was active in all kinds of ministry and modeled a servant's heart until she passed away in 1994. I hope to give the same gift to my four boys. Randy and I (married 16 years as of September 2005) joined FOM in 1997, shortly after attending the Easter Picnic. We were invited by our friends, Andi and JT Tanguma, and will be forever grateful to them for their kindness and perseverance in drawing us into this church family.

We jumped right in to ministry and joined a Life Group. Over the years, we have served in Youth Ministry, Children's Ministry, Hospitality (ministry leader for three years), and as coordinators for the FOM Easter Picnic. I am still active with the Youth, hosting the Junior High Boys Life Group. I serve as needed on the hospitality team for University, special events, and Saturday evening services. I was part of the first FOM mission team to Nicaragua in 2004.

My business background is in project management and office administration. I have managed assets for two construction companies and my own small businesses for about 10 years. I am currently working as a licensed real estate agent for Coldwell Banker in Mansfield.

I believe in the vision Scott has shown us. I have seen God do countless miracles in my life. I know that if we are obedient and faithful to God's plan, we will see miracles take place in our community.

I can be best reached at 817-561-5705 (h) or rlolson@sbcglobal.net.

FINANCE: Craig Reese

I am a partner in the law firm of Fletcher & Springer, L.L.P., in Dallas, Texas. My firm practices general defense litigation and I specialize in appellate work and insurance coverage. I have been practicing law for 15 years. I am married to Debra Reese ("Debbie") and we live in Mansfield. We have been married for 12 years. We have no children, unless you count our two Labrador retrievers, Grace and Faith. In my spare time, I like to ride motorcycles, read, and spend time with my wife and dogs.

I was born in Andrews, Texas on November 5, 1957. My dad was a geologist with Chevron Oil Company, so we moved a lot when I was young. We lived all over Texas and Oklahoma. I attended high school in Colorado and college at UT in Odessa. I served for two years in the Army and was stationed in Germany for most of that time. My parents are both Christians and I grew up in Southern Baptist churches. I accepted Jesus as my personal savior when I was 7. My parents are retired and live in Midlothian. I have one brother, Barry, who builds houses for a living. He lives in Tyler and works throughout the state.

Debbie and I joined FOM about 5 years ago, while the church was still meeting at Barnett Junior High School in Southeast Arlington. We joined FOM because the focus of the church was on a relationship with Jesus and our fellow believers, and not on religion. We also liked the casual approach to church. I am a Life Group Leader and Debbie teaches aerobics on Saturday morning. I am also involved in helping various people in the church with legal matters. I am thinking about starting a motorcycle ministry in the church and would like to see more of our men involved with Promise Keepers and accountability groups.

I can be best reached at 817-473-8223 (h) or craig@FletchSpring.com.

FINANCE (and VISION): Gavin Robertson (current Board member and Vice President)

I was born in 1958 and raised in Scotland, UK, in a Christian family. I am the eldest of 5 children. I earned a B.Sc. Honors degree in Chemical and Process Engineering in 1980 and a Masters degree in Petroleum Engineering in 1981. My family still lives in Scotland and just across the border in North England and almost all are very active in local churches.

I spent over 15 years working in the international oil and gas exploration and production industry for a $5 billion value German company. I lived in London, England (2 times), Germany (3 times), Egypt, (2 times) and the US (2 times), and spent some time in Libya. I have traveled to many countries, worked with many different nationalities and cultures, and attempted to learn a few languages. During my time with the German company, I started off as a Petroleum Engineer and ended up as Business Development Manager responsible for corporate strategy definition, portfolio management, and investment strategies involving $100s of millions. During my assignment to the US working for a subsidiary company based in Dallas, I met and eventually married my wife, Holly, who is from Arkansas. We left the US in 1985, and after I resigned from the German company, we returned to live in Arlington in late 1996. We have two daughters, Grace (16) and Caitlin (13), who both attend Fellowship Academy, where Holly teaches 9^th grade biology and 10^th grade chemistry. Our daughters and I are dual-citizens of the US and the UK.

I started my own oil and gas company and consultancy in early 1997, remaining self-employed until late 1999 when I started as an employee for my current employer, WhamTech, Inc., a small technology start-up company in Dallas, as Chief Technology Officer and later also as Senior Vice President.

I became a Christian when I was 9 years old and was baptized when I was 12 years old. I was involved in many youth activities, even leading youth worship. At university, I was involved in student ministries, but did not regularly attend church again until 1987 in Germany, where Holly and I ran the Children’s Church for a while.

When we first came to Arlington, we church-hopped and almost as a last resort, tried FOA, which was meeting right next to where we live, at Barnett Junior High School. We immediately liked the casual and friendly atmosphere, and Bible-based messages. We started attending a Life Group, and I immediately understood the importance of Life Groups. I became a Life Group Leader, started coordinating Life Groups, and eventually became the Associate Pastor for Life Groups. I led the Life Groups Ministry for over 5 years. I have served and continue to serve in a number of other ministries, including setup and breakdown, Children’s Church, Greeting, teaching FOM University classes, multimedia, Web site and e-mail, church computers and networks, badges, coordinated special events, and member of the Board. I also spent some time working with a church planting (church starting) ministry, including teaching classes on small groups and organization. I was ordained in January 2002 and am currently Associate Pastor of Discipleship. I am leading the start-up of the Priority One Ministry. I have a strong interest in Christians living as Christians 24/7; being worship centers and missionaries who tell their story to others; being examples of holistic good health; and being defenders of our faith through understanding the Bible and science.

I used to scuba dive, windsurf and Tao Kwon Do a LOT and would like to do these more, and I enjoy hill climbing when I can. Meanwhile, I run and kayak regularly, play squash, and enjoy my family (not necessarily in that order!).

I can be best reached at 817-466-3900 (h) or gavin.robertson@winninglife.org.

FINANCE: Robert Simons

I am Robert Simons, age 50. I have been married to Sharon Simons for 26 years. We have one son, Travis Simons, age 21, currently serving in the US Army and stationed in Iraq. I was born and raised in Virginia Beach, Virginia. I am a graduate of Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, with BSBA in Accounting. I went to work for the Virginia Dept of Taxation on April 1, 1981 (what an April’s fool joke that was!) and I still work for them today, 24 years later. In July 1986, Virginia moved me from Virginia Beach to Arlington Texas, and yes, to do the same job I was doing there, as a Tax Auditor. I became a Christian at the age of 12. My Dad and Mom were very active at the Baptist church that our family attended and are charter members of; and both my mom and Sharon’s parents still attend the same church Sharon and I were married in.

We began attending FOM (it was Fellowship of Arlington – FOA - back then) and meeting at Barnett Junior High School in October 1997, and joined around Easter in 1998. We used to haul everything in every Saturday afternoon and pack it all up every Sunday afternoon.

It might surprise people to know that my main ministry at FOM is the Children’s Ministry, not the Finance Ministry. I lead the impact services at 10 and 11:30 am; help plan games and object lessons; put out snacks; and anything else needed to help the Children’s Ministry function weekly.

Other ministries I am involved with are the Finance and Counting teams, Resource Center, Drama, Puppets, worship folders back-up, and the “Tea Ministry” (don’t ask).

I can be best reached at 817-572-6260 (h) or ro-stuff@att.net.

FINANCE: Skip Strickland

My name is Skip Strickland and I have lived in Arlington with my wife and partner in this life for over 47 years, Mary Lou. You will seldom see one of us without the other. We have 4 children, 8 grandchildren and 3 great grand children.

We were both raised in Christian homes and baptized into Southern Baptist churches at a young age. In our previous church, we both served on several committees as well as teaching Sunday School classes. I also served on the Board of Deacons. We became somewhat uncomfortable with the conservative/moderate division in the Southern Baptist denomination. We were invited to visit FOM by our daughter-in-law, Julie Strickland, on Easter Sunday, 2002. We immediately became "regular attenders" and a few months later after a conference with Pastor Nate, we became members.

We are currently Associate Life Group Leaders and are committed to tithing and supporting the church programs financially.

I have a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from North Texas State University. Mary Lou and I are retired electrical contractors and construction project managers. As a management team, we supervised construction and field office operations in several different states in the US and overseas in Luxembourg, Thailand, Israel and Brazil.

Our current ministry commitment is to the FOM Student Ministries building. Along with Pastor Tony, Pastor Nate and a host of volunteers and contributors, we have been working on the building since mid-June 2005. We hope to finish up the work shortly after the first of 2006.

I can be best reached at 817-572-1264 (h) or sandml@academicplanet.com.

Get to Know the Proposed VISION Board Members

VISION: Guy Dixon

I have worked for Tarrant County Public Health as the Lab Manager of the North Texas Regional Laboratory for the last 13 years. I have a Doctorate in Microbiology and a board certification as a High Complexity Lab Director. My lab helps ensure the health and safety of millions of North Texas residents. Lory and I have been married almost 23 years and have lived all of those years in the Arlington/Mansfield area. We have two children; Elizabeth (Beth) and Rebekah (Bekah).

My journey as a Christian began when I was around 10 years old. I grew up going to church and was aware of my need for salvation through my parents’ guidance and lessons from numerous Sunday School teachers. I made the decision to accept Jesus as my savior after talking with my mother and made that decision public in April of 1970. I followed Jesus’ example and was baptized the following month. Immediately, God’s Holy Spirit began working in my life and I began using the gift of service in my church and began growing in the knowledge of His Word. As a teen and young adult, God continued to use my gifts in various places of service in my church.

After Lory and I married, God brought us to Rush Creek Baptist Church where we served for 10 years before receiving the call to help start a new church in Southeast Arlington. At Fellowship of Arlington/the Metroplex I have served as a Life Group Leader, Treasurer, Board member, Associate Pastor for Administration, Finance Ministry team leader, Greeting team leader, usher/offering team leader, Associate Pastor for Ministry Development, and FOM University instructor for Class 301 (Discovering My Ministry), Class 502 (Discovering My SHAPE), and the Network Series for discovering your unique place of ministry.

I can be best reached at 817-561-9049 (h) or guydixon@sbcglobal.net.

VISION: Glenda Gonzales

My husband, Joe, and I started going to FOM in January 2000; in time for the marriage series. Just in time for our marriage, as I was ready for a divorce and this was the last hope, and what a difference! God changed me, Joe, our marriage, and our family. Our marriage has been restored, but it wasn't an easy road. We have so many friends at FOM who prayed for us combined with Linda Carter's counseling; people who really cared. We have missed very few Sundays and events since we took the first steps coming in the door.

I was raised Southern Baptist in a tiny country church at Lenorah, TX and baptized at 9 years old. But, I had so many questions about Jesus and no answers. Since we came to FOM, I have found the relationship with Jesus; not the pastor, or the church, but with Jesus. FOM is where Jesus has led Joe and me to be.

I have a passion for marriages and families. I have seen what prayer can do; in our marriage and others, and seen so many lives changed. Joe and I have been married for 27 years and we have 2 beautiful daughters, Amanda, 25, and Stacey, 21. The girls have Christ-centered lives thanks to the Youth Ministry with JT and Andi Tanguma. Amanda is studying nursing and Stacey is studying physical therapy. Praise God!!

Joe and I are Life Group Leaders on Tuesday nights with an awesome group of friends who are like family. We coordinate the Fall Fest along with many, many, many others helping. I am involved in the Women's Ministry, Beth Moore Bible studies, and wherever help is needed. Joe and I are usually in the hallways, cafe, or on the door greeting on Sunday mornings at the 10:00 and 11:30 am services; come up to us and say HI!

I have been so blessed with a wonderful Christ-centered husband, my girls, and endless friends. God change our lives as He can change yours. I am much honored to have this chance to serve Christ and our church.

I can be best reached at 817-468-4466 (h) or jgonzales07777@sbcglobal.net.

VISION: Kelly Ann Holden (current Board member and Secretary)

I was born and raised in a small town in Pennsylvania. My mother took me and my four siblings to church every Sunday and I accepted Jesus as my Savior when I was a teenager. My father was a truck driver, and his job took him out of town most days, to include weekends. When I left home at the age of 18, I decided it wasn't important to attend church, and my walk with Jesus definitely was not what it should be.

In 1981, I joined the US Air Force and served active duty as a Mental Health Technician while stationed at Travis AFB, CA. In 1985 I changed my status to Reservist and served at Carswell AFB, Fort Worth, TX, for the next 17 years, and retired as a Master Sergeant. I have an Associates Degree in Applied Sciences.

I have held many different jobs, the most noteworthy being with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington, DC, as a Fingerprint Technician, and then as a Sales Representative for 3M Company. My sales territory was very broad - Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. Because it was so broad, I chose to give up working in Sales when I had my son. Currently, I work at Cardinal Health in Grand Prairie as an Executive Assistant to the Vice President of Distribution Services, and I have been at Cardinal Health for 11 years.

My husband, Nate, and I met in the military and we married in 1991. We have one son together, Kevin, who is 13 years old and attends Fellowship Academy. My stepson, Justin (Nate's son) currently lives in Grand Prairie.

Nate and I started attending FOM in 1995 and became members that same year. It was through one simple act of obedience that I came back to being a faithful follower of Christ, and because of that one act of obedience, God has blessed me and my family over and over again.

Currently I am the Secretary on the Board and have been a Board member for approximately 3 years. Also, I am the Women's Ministry Leader and am on the Greeting team. I have been a member of the Finance Ministry team, a co-Life Group leader (with my husband) and a SON Country teacher in past years, as well as having served on various other ministry teams.

I can be best reached at 972-660-5427 (h) or k.holden@sbcglobal.net.

VISION: Ron Perry (current Board member)

I gave my life to Christ as a 15 year old. To make a long story short, I wasn’t very good at being a Christian for the next fifteen years. As Jamie and I approached our thirties, we began to feel a void in our lives and felt the need to return to church. Through a friend of a friend, we found FOM. It was then we both recommitted our lives to Christ.

Jamie and I were married in April, 1991, after five years of dating/engagement. We have two kids, Josh (11) and Sara (9). I work at Texas Health Resources as a computer programmer. Jamie is a “stay at home mom”. She substitute teaches at Fellowship Academy and serves in KidzJam. She has also launched an EBay business within the last few months. The entire family is taking Karate these days.

Jamie and I started at FOM in January of 1998 with the marriage series. We joined after the first month. We started serving in the Children’s Ministry as Kindergarten teachers right away. Within that first year, I became a Life Group Leader and started working the sound board. I have been involved in many ministries over the years. Currently, I still work the sound board, I am a Life Group Pastor, and I serve on the Board.

The reason we joined FOM was that we were looking for a place that felt comfortable, that was not stuffy, and accepted people for who they are; a place that would help you grow and learn. We found it!

I can be best reached at 817-572-6503 (h) or ron.perry@winninglife.org.

VISION (and FINANCE): Gavin Robertson (current Board member and Vice President)

See the proposed FINANCE Board members.

VISION: Chris Stoker (current Board member)

I was born and raised in the Arlington area and graduated from Martin High School. I spent 2 years in Army. I graduated with a B.Sc. in Business Management from Northwood University and am currently a service manager with Autobahn BMW in Fort Worth. I have been married to my wife, Shannon, for 15 years and have one son, Noah. My wife is the Vice Principal at Fellowship Academy where my son also attends. I enjoy spending time with my family, whether we are traveling or just relaxing at home.

I accepted Christ at church camp when I was 12 years old. It wasn't until my early adult life that I completely understood what it really meant to serve God. My family and I have been a part of FOM for 7 years. We came out of curiosity, but stayed because of the genuine connection we made with people. I have been a part of many ministries at FOM, but Life Groups is my passion. My wife and I led a Life Group for 5 five years before I became a Life Group Pastor. I was ordained in May 2005. I look forward to continuing to grow the Life Groups of FOM and helping others experience a genuine family connection.

I can be best reached at 817-478-1818 (h) or stokcrew@sbcglobal.net.