LakeShore Church: Our Team

Senior Pastor - Brad & Denise Howard

Pastor Brad and Denise Howard are Christ For The Nations alumni and joined LakeShore in 1994. Their life passion is building people to live their God given potential which includes their four wonderful children: Jennifer, Katelyn, Molli and little Bradley. Brad is a highly relational leader and refreshingly transparent communicator whose best day is helping you live yours.

Worship Pastor - Ben & Heather Dobberstein

Ben Dobberstein is a 1996 graduate of Christ For The Nations Institute with a minor in music. He has attended LakeShore since the fall of '94, starting out on the worship team playing bass and electric guitar. He then moved into a worship leading role with the youth ministry until assuming the position of worship leader for the church in the spring of 2002.

Ben grew up in Illinois, and after moving to Georgia in '91, was very happy to become a Texan once established here in Rockwall. He feels an even greater sense of belonging since marrying his beautiful wife Heather in August 2002, who is a born Texan herself. Ben and Heather have two beautiful daughters, Mikah Grace and Skylar Joy.

Youth Pastor - Nick & Liz Dekold

As graduates of Christ for the Nations Institute and its 3^rd – year School of Youth Ministry, Nick and Liz are committed to making an impact in the lives of teenagers. Having joined the LakeShore family in February of 2005, Nick and Liz have been faithfully serving Paradigm Student Ministries as Youth Pastors. With a firm belief that teenagers can lead by example even in their youth, they desire to help young people discover their God-given purpose so they can begin living it out on a daily basis.

Nick and Liz are native Canadians who have answered the call of God to Rockwall, Texas. They have been married for 3 years.

Children's Pastor - Mitchel & Amber Mershawn

Mitchel and Amber Mershawn are the Children’s Pastors at LakeShore. They have been married for three years and have a lovely daughter.

Mitchel has attended LakeShore since childhood. He grew up in the children’s ministry, the youth group, and served under Pastor Eugene McBride in the youth department. He even met his wife at LakeShore (high school sweethearts)! Amber has attended LakeShore since 1998, serving in the youth and children’s ministry during that time. She graduated in 2004 with a degree in Early Childhood Education and has taught Kindergarten for three years. Mitchel and Amber both enjoy traveling ( New York and the beach are their favorites), sports, art, worship, and their families.

Connections Pastor - Bill & Dwayla Patterson

Bill and Dwayla Patterson joined the LakeShore Team in 2007. Bill has a Master's Degree in Christian Ministry and has served other churches in California as Music Minister, Discipleship Pastor, Pastoral Counselor, and Christian Education Director. Dwayla is a Registered Nurse, BSN, and is the Program Director at Dallas Nursing Institute.

Bill and Dwayla have enjoyed serving together in ministry, especially in the area of building strong families. They currently are helping people find new friends and a place to belong at LakeShore. They treasure their close relationship with their children and grandchildren.

Treasurer - Rick Cantrell
Small Group Ministry Director - Cyndi Cantrell

Rick & Cyndi Cantrell have attended LakeShore Church since March, 1991. They have actively participated in many areas of the church including Visitation, Young Married, Senior High Youth, and Junior High Youth. Rick served as an elder from 1994 to 1998.

Rick is a partner in the CPA firm of Cantrell Pearson in Rowlett. He oversees church finance and accounting and has served the church as Treasurer and Corporate Secretary since 1994. Cyndi was involved in the initial launching of the small group ministry and has served the church full time as the Small Group Ministry Director since 2002. They live in Poetry and have three children, Lindsey, Lauren, and Austin.

Nursery Directors - Nick & Nancy Nicholson

Nick and Nancy Nicholson have been members of LakeShore Church since 1996. They began serving as Nursery Directors in 2002. It is their privilege to love the infants, toddlers and preschoolers by providing a safe and secure environment for them to grow and learn about God.

Nick and Nancy also have the desire to promote a love for missions at LakeShore, and along with their two children, Christina and Timothy, lead the annual Family Missions trip to Mexico.

Maintenance - Wayne Hall
Receptionist - Kim Hall

Wayne and Kim have been friends of LakeShore for many years, and are now pleased to be part of the LakeShore family. Wayne worked in the automotive industry for 25 years, and now uses that experience to manage and maintain the church facility. Kim worked in banking for many years, but has most recently been a full time wife and mother.

Wayne and Kim are the proud parents of one daughter, Anna.

Pastoral Assistant - Janet Kennedy

Janet joined LakeShore in 1996, along with her husband, Mark. They immediately connected with the heart of this body and have served in various capacities throughout the church. Janet, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree, joined the LakeShore Staff five years ago. Her joy is to come alongside the pastoral team with care and prayer as they serve this body of believers.
Janet and Mark have two beautiful daughters, Rebecca and Jennifer, a super son-in-law, Adam, and a precious granddaughter named Audrey.

Administrative Assistant - Sally Almond

After being employed in the mortgage business for 30 years, Sally volunteered to answer the phones in the church office in 2003. Almost three years later, Sally is still the first friendly voice you hear when calling LakeShore, extending her heart of service to those who call or visit. Part of serving others is Sally’s gift of baking....she constantly surprises the staff with special treats and new recipes that bring smiles to our faces and inches to our waists.
Sally was privileged to be married to a wonderful husband for 24 years who went to be with the Lord in 2000. She has a son, Chris,
who is 23 years old.