Staff
Full-Time
Matt Dampier+
Matt has served as the rector at Christ Church since April 2024, following his role as associate rector from March 2018. Born in Alabama and raised in Kentucky, Matt became a believer during his studies at the University of Kentucky through campus ministry. He served in the campus ministry, Christian Student Fellowship, for 13 years. During his time there, he felt called to pursue divinity studies, ultimately earning his Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary in 2011.
He is blessed to be married to his high school sweetheart, Lexie. They have three kids—Lucy, Charlie, and Jack. Matt loves Austin with its outdoor culture, universities, and fullness of life. His favorite meal is a burger and fries.
Wes Crawford
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.
Kim Polk
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.
Beau Pruitt
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
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.
Michael Distefano
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.
Melissa Crawford
Carolyn Roman
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.
Part-Time
Katie Fox
Katie Fox has been leading arts ministry at Christ Church since 2015. Katie leads with assistance from Caleigh Taylor, Billy Hollis, and Shaun Fox. In addition, she is currently pursuing an MA in Theology and the Arts at Fuller Seminary. Katie is a writer and a musician who loves artists and wants to see them flourish in the church and the culture.
Karen Friesen
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
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
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.
Jennifer Pappenhagen
Jen came to Christ Church in the Fall of 2008, and has been an active member since then. She and her husband David met here, and they now have a 3-year-old daughter, Eleanor. Jen has served in several ministries at Christ Church, including Altar Guild, the Liturgical Team, Vestry, and the Living Waters Leadership Team. Jen has a Masters in English from the University of Texas, and has taught humanities to high school and college students for nearly 25 years. Jen enjoys theatre, cooking, hosting gatherings with friends, and reading novels and mysteries… though most of the books she reads these days are by Eric Carle.
Julie Chewning
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
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.
Cashew Roman
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”.
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Brian Wallace (Suffragan Bishop)
The Rev. Dr. Bill Walker
The Rev. Dr. Steve Pope
The Rev. Nancy Lewis (Deacon)
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