Staff

Full-Time

Matt Dampier+

Rector

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Matt has served as the Rector of Christ Church since April 2024, after six years as the Associate Rector. Originally from Alabama and raised in Nashville, Matt came to faith during his time at the University of Kentucky (C-A-T-S!) through the ministry of Christian Student Fellowship (www.ukcsf.org), where he later served for 13 years. His love for teaching, discipleship, and community led him to pursue a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary.

Matt and his high school sweetheart, Lexie, have been married for over two decades and are raising their three kids—Lucy, Charlie, and Jack—in the heart of Austin. He loves the city—its trails, tacos, and thoughtful people—and finds joy in the gifts of life: reading poetry, playing/coaching baseball, and getting lost in Zelda. He’s also known to enjoy an occasional horror movie, a good workout, and a classic burger and fries.

Michael Distefano

Associate Rector

michael@christchurchofaustin.org

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Michael has served the Church through both pastoral ministry and non-profit management. Prior to joining staff at Christ Church of Austin, Michael served as a director for Amirah Inc, an anti-trafficking organization operating in New England. Michael has served as teaching pastor and pastor to young adults at Faithbridge Church and as an associate church planter with Passion City Church in Washington D.C. Michael has degrees in Management and Entrepreneurial Studies from Texas A&M University, a Masters in Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and has completed an extended thesis on Early Christianity at Baylor’s Truett Theological Seminary. Michael is married to the joyful and brilliant Tate. Together, they love their dog Alfredo, the outdoors, sports, music, and story (books and movies) and prioritize lingering meals with family and friends.

Wes Crawford

Worship Pastor

wes@christchurchofaustin.org

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Wes joined the Christ Church staff in March of 2017, and as Worship Pastor he leads our team of musicians. He grew up in the DFW area and studied music at the University of North Texas in Denton. While there, Wes met his wife Melissa and worked in campus ministry after graduation. The Crawfords served as missionaries in Monterrey, Mexico from 2004 until 2008, when they moved to Kansas City, Missouri to be part of a church plant in the heart of the city. Wes enjoys playing and listening to music, flipping through used record bins at Waterloo Records, and cooking. He and Melissa have four girls: Anna, Maggie, Claire, and Elaine.

Beau Pruitt

Director of Student Ministries

beau@christchurchofaustin.org

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Beau grew up in Hutto and is the son of a Youth Pastor. He went to undergrad at Moody Bible and then Trinity Evangelical Divinity School for graduate work. There he received his Masters of Divinity; he also began attending an Anglican Church during graduate school. He and his wife Danielle moved back to Austin in the spring of 2021 and began worshiping at Christ Church in March. They welcomed their first child, Flora, this past fall into the world. Beau has discerned a clear call to serve and love students. He is eager to begin jumping into the work leading our student ministries, middle school through college. Already he is working with our leadership team to plan summer activities for the youth.

Laura Smith

Director of Operations

laura@christchurchofaustin.org

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Laura came to Christ Church in January of 2010 and through those last 11 years, has particpated in the many changes that have taken place in the life of Christ Church. Laura and her husband Kendall are members of Memorial UMC where she has attended since birth. Her vocational background is heavily based in non-profit and faith based organizations. As a lifelong Austinite and Texas Longhorn, Laura loves this city and will talk college sports with anyone who will listen. She and Kendall share 4 children and 8 grandchildren. Together they love attending Longhorn sports, hiking with friends and traveling, especially to see their kids and grandkids.

Carolyn Roman

Assistant to the Rector

carolyn@christchurchofaustin.org

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Born in Venezuela and raised in Houston by 2 Longhorn parents, this Aggie was
destined to need help! Carolyn's 4 adult children were raised in Austin by 2
emotionally unhealthy, broken people. While she was always seeking freedom,
passion and peace, her earnest dive into healing began after her family journeyed
through her husband’s cancer diagnosis, treatment, and subsequent divorce. He
survived, but their 32-year marriage did not.

At that point, through lots of EMDR, trauma work, counseling and ultimately
spiritual direction, Carolyn found more of what she’d been searching for. While she
hasn’t ARRIVED, she is enjoying the fruit of daily dependence on the Lord for her
physical, spiritual, and emotional sustenance.

Through the gift of words of wisdom from her daughter, Carolyn began to more
fully embrace who God made her to be, a spiritual mother. She enjoys many
different paths of mothering as she walks in spiritual companionship with others. To
become a Spiritual Director, she completed a 2-year training program with Selah
through LTI. Carolyn is a history fanatic, esp. about WW2 and royalty, and loves
anything that sparkles. She also enjoys reading, cooking, hiking and down time with
her emotional support dog, Cashew.

Kim Polk

Executive Director

kim@christchurchofaustin.org

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Kim started as the Executive Director in November 2022. In this role she oversees staff, manages the property, and helps the church run organizationally. She comes from 25 years of experience in Marketing Communication for a Fortune 500 global high-tech company. In the middle of her career, she spent several months in YWAM missions which deepened her love for different cultures and the God of all nations. In addition to the learnings and leadership she brings from corporate and ministry experience, she is in deep alignment with the vision and values of Christ Church, and is formed by an Anglican Spirituality of Word, Spirit, and Sacrament. Kim started worshipping with Christ Church since 2008 and has been active in several areas of ministry including Vestry, Missions, Small Groups, the Liturgical Team, the Vocation Initiative, and Prayer Ministry. She loves the outdoors, spending quality time with people, and learning.

Part-Time

Katie Fox

Arts Ministry Leader

katieofox@gmail.com

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Karen Friesen

Care Ministry Coordinator

karen@christchurchofaustin.org

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Karen joined staff in 2024 and has been an active member since 2008. Married to Scott they share three children: Liz, an ER nurse here in Austin and Mac and Annie who are in High School. Karen has loved being a part of the ministry of Christ Church over the years including leading and coaching small groups, leading the welcome team, hosting Newcomers Dinners and other fun parties and events over the years.

Dave Allen

Facilities Manager (Refuge Janitorial)

dave@christchurchofaustin.org

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Dave Allen and his team have been caring for our janitorial needs since May of 2016. In October of 2019 he joined the Christ Church team as our facilities manager. From 2007 thru 2019 Dave served Hope in the City as their facilities director. He was also blessed to serve his church as Serve/hospitality teams lead, youth small group leader, and lead multiple Christmas outreaches. He owns a commercial cleaning company and has a passion for caring for churches specifically. Prior to entering facilities management, Dave spent 14 years in the hospitality industry. After leaving restaurant management, he returned to and graduated from Southwestern Assemblies of God with a degree in business administration in 2012. He lives in South Austin with his wife, Bethany and 4 children. They love road trip vacations, movie nights, board games, camping, and Hamilton.

Olivia Bruner

Director of Children's Ministry

olivia@christchurchofasutin.org

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Olivia serves as part-time Children’s Ministry Team Leader where she gives oversight, supervision and support to the team that ministers to children from infant to 5th grade. She envisions and supports the ways the church can nurture and teach children in the faith by helping them discover Christ and his intimate love for them through worship, teaching and play. She acts as liaison between the Children’s Ministry and Christ Church staff, championing the needs of the youngest in our community. Christ Church is continually blessed by her unique perspective, creativity, and love of children.

Julie Chewning

Communication Manager

julie@christchurchofaustin.org

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Julie joined Christ Church staff in the fall of 2022 as the part-time communications manager. She graduated from Texas A&M University (whoop!) with a BA in speech communication. She has since lived in Austin, working as a digital marketing freelancer - primarily serving small businesses and non-profit organizations.

Julie and her husband, Chris, share a passion for reading and records. They are parents to two kids who bring joy and wonder to their home. Originally from Oregon, Julie loves to be outside in the garden where she grows both food and flowers.

Kristin Woodward

Accounting Assistant

kristin@christchurchofaustin.org

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Kristin grew up in Nebraska and moved all over the country before she landed in Texas where the weather is nice and warm! She graduated with a degree in Communication Studies and Office Management, but fell into teaching early after graduation. After years of being a stay at home mom to
her 2 daughters, Elliana and Melia, she decided to enter back into the work force and enjoyed working in an administrative role at a Christian Preschool for 7 years. Kristin enjoys cultural and performing arts and has a heart for helping women get back on their feet after loss. Kristin enjoys traveling watching dance and volleyball, and spending time with her family and friends.

Nancy Lewis+

Assisting Priest for Spiritual Formation

nancy@christchurchofaustin.org

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Nancy served as a deacon at Christ Church and elsewhere for nearly 18 years before being ordained a priest in June 2025 and joining the church staff. Originally from Brooklyn, NY, Nancy earned her BA at
Northwestern University and MA in clinical psychology at Wheaton College in the Chicago area before relocating to Austin to complete a PhD in educational psychology with a focus on quantitative methods.

She met and married her husband, Randy, at Christ Church in 2010. In addition to her work at Christ Church, she conducts research projects for Christian organizations. Nancy loves bagels, working with glass, the ocean, prime numbers, and helping people encounter God in new ways.

Melissa Crawford

Office Administrator

melissa@christchurchofaustin.org

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Melissa has had the joy of attending Christ Church as a parishioner since the summer of 2017 when her husband Wes joined the staff. She has served in a variety of ministries at Christ Church, which include small groups, the Mission Team, and volunteering in the nursery. She has held a variety of administrative and ministry roles over the years, including most recently working at a small Christian school as the Office and Admissions Manager. She is also a trained spiritual director.

She and Wes have been married since 1999 and are the proud parents of 4 amazing young adults. In addition to enjoying rich conversation, good coffee, hiking and biking, and reading great books, she also spends a lot of time laughing (and occasionally crying) at their 3 ridiculous family pets- Charlie, Jolene & Sprocket.

Cashew Roman

Office Mascot

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Cashew joined staff in the dog days of summer, 2018. Born in the mountains of Colorado, he relocated to Austin upon his adoption. Cashew normally lives with his mother, Carolyn, but he counts Dave Allen and family as his own and frequently vacations in their home. With his peaceful nature and gift of hospitality, he delights in making visitors feel welcome and providing the staff with much needed exercise breaks. Cashew’s hobbies include playing chase with anyone willing, esp. his spirit animal, Wes and tummy rubs from every passerby. He also enjoys a more relaxing past time: pretending his bed is a pacifier in addition to his calling as an “emotional support animal”.

Affiliated Clergy

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Brian Wallace (Suffragan Bishop)

The Rev. Dr. Bill Walker

The Rev. Dr. Steve Pope

The Rev. Mtr. Nancy Lewis

The Rev. Eric Stumberg (Deacon)

Vestry

Fr. Matt Dampier (Rector)

Clay Davis (Senior Warden)

Natalie Coulter

Hannah Diller

Kyle Frazier

Sarah Hadd

Billy Hollis

Amy McLaughlin

Pete Newell