Meet Our 2011-2012 ELs

Eric Leonard

I grew up in the small town of Dexter Michigan and didn't make it to a "big city" until I graduated high school and left for college in Kalamazoo. I was blessed to grow up in a Christian home, but I wouldn't say I owned my faith until my junior year in college at Western Michigan University. Once God revealed himself to me, there was no looking back and I knew the Gospel would be what directed the rest of my life. After four years, I graduated with my degree and had two offers that would send me in very different directions. One offer was to work for a high tech marketing firm in Chicago and the other was to join a team heading to Austin to plant a church. After a lot of prayer I packed my bags and moved to Austin. Even though the church plant didn't succeed, God clearly had other plans for me and I am so glad I took the step of faith when I did. Now as an emerging leader I will be work with the young adults group and volunteering for a few nonprofit organizations to strengthen our churches relationship with our community. In all of this there are three things about me that have never changed: my love for cars, joy for tech, and draw towards anything Steve Jobs ever invented.

Katie McCullough

I am originally from Newport Beach, California, but have spent the last four years in Wheaton, Illinois. I graduated from Wheaton College in May with a degree in International Relations. While at Wheaton, I participated in Honduras Project, a Christ-centered community that seeks to serve the Lord by encouraging, building relationships and working with the people of Honduras. It is through Honduras Project that the Lord opened my eyes to the nations. This year I will be serving with Global Outreach in an attempt to further understand God’s work around the world and what role he would have me play. I teach an English class for family members of international students attending the University of Texas and I build relationships with international students. I am crazy about my four younger sisters, will travel (internationally) any chance I get, could be described as having mild OCD, and can wiggle my ears.

Adrian Armendariz

I was born in San Jose, CA and lived in Monterrey, Mexico for 7 years where I became a Mexican citizen. Later I moved back to the USA when I was 12 years old.  I enjoy sports like cycling, table tennis, soccer, tennis, volleyball, and ultimate Frisbee. I went to college at UT Tyler and Tyler Junior College. During this time I learned a lot about ministry and was involved with the recreation ministry in Tyler, TX. I joined HCBC in October 2010 and love it here. I got involved with Spanish ministry and was blessed to get a job as an Emerging Leader. 

Lauren Gomez

I am from Fort Worth, Texas and I enjoy hip-hop music, dancing, and hearing people’s stories. I went to Beauty College in Fort Worth and was a Stylist in Austin up until I joined Emerging Leaders. I will be serving alongside the Young Adults with in the church and I will be volunteering at a soup kitchen for my community involvement.

Kara Wagner

I grew up in Arlington, Texas and studied Early Childhood Education at Texas A&M University. After Graduating in 2010, I moved to Tyler, TX to attend The Forge, a discipleship leadership program at Pine Cove Christian Camps. Most recently, I’ve been planted in the city of Austin where I believe my heart pitter patters a little differently. Here, in the Emerging Leader Residency, I have found opportunities to spread my wings and fly with a passion to come alongside of young women inspiring the love of Christ by cultivating the hope and grace of Him who leaves no remnant of shame. Some of the outlets I get to exercise this heartbeat in are serving within HCBC on staff with Celebrate Recovery as well as in the community among teen moms through Northwest Austin Younglives. I also spend time volunteering at Project Walk- Austin, a spinal cord injury recovery center, and another organization close to the heart. It isn’t rare to find me additionally running upon scenic trails, cooking creatively, applying a paintbrush every now and then, wearing cowboy boots to a Texas country tune, having conversations over hot tea, exploring outside adventures or navigating through open fields of wildflowers. Whimsical and zealous at the heart, I am very eager to see how the Lord has created me for His glory to radiate His love in this city.

Brad Bowden