REV. DR. FRANK DRENNER, Senior Pastor
Rev Dr Frank Drenner has served congregations of various sizes in many different locations in North Texas, most recently in Sherman. He has been married to Christy, a CPA, for twenty six years. Together they have three sons: James, Miles and Linus. Pastor Frank is the author of A Gospel of a Different Color and has maintained a blog at pastorfrankdrenner.com since 2005. In ministry his passions are preaching, mentoring, and teaching. His hobbies include baseball and watching and reviewing movies.
Rosedanny Ortiz, Associate Pastor
Rosedanny leads the Common Ground Contemporary Worship. Her vibrant faith and preaching and worship leadership gifts bring a dynamic spirit to this worship experience.
She is a local pastor in The UMC with a Master of Divinity from Perkins School of Theology at SMU and a Bachelor of Computer Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez. Rosedanny is passionate about racial justice, finding new ways to connect with the community, working on unity and diversity, and leading to creating a multicultural space for all to worship the God of all.
Rosedanny and her husband Luis, have two daughters, Sofía and Adriana and a son, Daniel. They enjoy swimming, evening walks around the community, movies, cooking, and spending quality time with our daughters.
You can learn more about Rosedanny and her ministry through her blog, More Faith (morefaithblog.com)
MAESON BRYANT, Director of Community Engagement and Family Ministries
Maeson comes to us from Kansas, moving to Dallas after four summers working at a nonprofit that gave her experience in working with students of all ages and connecting with the community. She grew up attending First UMC in Independence, KS and just recently graduated from Southwestern College with a B.A. in Philosophy and Religion, with minors in Criminal Justice and Christian Discipleship. Maeson has been leading worship for ten years now by singing in multiple worship teams throughout Kansas and Dallas.
Her hope with this position is that she can inspire children and youth to love and follow Jesus and to continuously grow their curiosity towards their faith. She also hopes to help SVUMC become a light in the community that inspires others to come to know Jesus.
SUZAN MEYER, Director, Preschool Ministry
Suzan’s mother always called her the “Baby Whisperer” and always knew her daughter would someday be an educator. She was right, of course, 37 years after completing her Masters in Education, Suzan is still at it. Suzan says, “There’s not a day that goes by that I am not grateful for my calling and the opportunity to be a part of so many special lives. It is my heartfelt desire to provide a safe, nurturing, and loving environment where kids will thrive and grow as they explore their world and develop special friendships.”
When Suzan is not at SVUMC Preschool, you will find her working out at the gym, reading, planning her next trip, or spending time with her three grown children and three grandkids.
JOHN TARVER, Organist
When John was a child, he dreamed of playing the organ, so much so that he made pretend keyboards out of shoe boxes that he ‘played’. As John began piano lessons, then a little later, organ lessons, he became energized by a passion to play beautiful music for people. After multiple university music degrees and many years of being a church organist (the last 23 at Spring Valley!), those dreams are still in John’s heart!
John says, “I look forward to each Sunday, when I hope to inspire our congregation with my musical offerings as we all praise God together. When not making music at Spring Valley, you might find me doing freelance jobs, playing for a soloist, a choir, a wedding or a funeral, or spending time with my wife Paula.”
TONY HOLIDAY, Director of Facilities
Tony oversees the upkeep and operation of the entire Spring Valley campus with great dedication. He also supports all ministries by ensuring many details are taken care of, such as audio visual and refreshment needs. Tony first came to Spring Valley for a job in 1975, but he quickly fell in love with the people, became a member and has been here ever since. Tony graduated from Berkner High School in 1974 and attended the University of North Texas. He and his wife have a son and a daughter and are now raising their two granddaughters.
DERRADA RUBELL-ASBELL, Worship Leader / Director of Music Ministries
Derrada R. Rubell-Asbell is a native of Fort Worth (currently living in Dallas) and has been involved with church music ever since he was six years old. He first started playing music for New Mount Calvary Baptist Church (Fort Worth, TX) at the age of 12, and advanced his musical abilities by learning to play the organ during that time. God called him to University Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Fort Worth, where he was under the mentorship of Ronald Shirey. During his time there, he became the Youth and Celebration Singers Choir director, and the Assistant Director of the Chancel Choir. These opportunities helped him grow into the Youth Choir and Associate Chancel Choir Director roles of White’s Chapel Methodist Church (Southlake, TX), Director of Adult and Handbell Choirs at Rush Creek Christian Church (Disciples of Christ, Arlington, TX), Director of Music and Worship at First United Methodist Church (Waxahachie, TX), and Director of Music Ministries for Lake Highlands Presbyterian Church (Union PC-USA & Cumberland PCA) in September of 2018.
Derrada is a graduate of Texas Christian University, holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Music with an emphasis in Choral & Vocal Education. Derrada is currently a board member for the Greater Dallas Handbell Association and member of the Choristers’ Guild, a previous board member of the Choristers’ Guild (Dallas Chapter), and held memberships in the Texas Music Educators’ Association and Texas Choral Directors’ Association.
In his free time, Derrada thoroughly enjoys walking, exercising at home and the gym, cooking, bowling, and vigorously cheering for the TCU Horned Frogs, Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, and Dallas Mavericks. His favorite books are James Patterson’s Women’s Murder Club series, A Promised Land, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Every Day a Friday, and The Hate U Give. While he works at the church year-long, he takes time during the summer and winter seasons to be a dog-sitter.
ALLISON ST. CLAIRE, Pastoral Admin
Allison came to us on an interim basis, and she liked Spring Valley so much that she decided to stay. She brings us nearly twenty years of experience working as a church communications director. She’s a native Texan, born in McKinney and raised in Ft. Worth and Richardson. She attended Concordia Lutheran College in Austin and SMU, where her studies focused on sacred music and English literature. She also has an IT background and an interest in all things “geeky.” She’s the proud mother of two adult children. She is an outdoor enthusiast and an animal lover. Her best friends typically have four legs. She enjoys any activity that includes spending time in nature.
CHANEL JAMES, Accountant