Get to know the newest members at Lord of Life.
Sam & Gretchen Wilson – Sam and Gretchen moved to the Woodlands, TX with their family in 2013. Gretchen is from Appleton, WI and has a BA in Psychology from Grinnell College in Iowa and a Master of Public Administration from Syracuse University. Her background is in social services and she currently works for a local school district. Sam is from Jordan Valley, OR and has a BS in Accounting from Oregon State University. He has a background in the oil and gas industry and recently joined an equipment manufacturing company.Sam and Gretchen have three adult children, all graduates of The Woodlands High School: Bridget 23, Alumna of Texas Tech University living in Houston, TX, Coleman 21, Student at Texas State University living in San Marcos, TX, Gillian 18, Student at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK. Gretchen was raised Lutheran and Sam was raised Methodist. They were married at First English Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Appleton, WI. All three children were baptized in the Lutheran Church (ELCA). As a family they have attended Lutheran, Catholic, Anglican, Baptist and Methodist churches depending geographically where they were living over the years. They are excited to join Lord of Life and become part of the Church community. We are happy to find a church home that aligns with our values at this stage in our journey.
Jamieson McCaffity & Meg Jameson, Maggie, Julliet & Bradley – We moved to the Houston area last summer from the greater Austin area. Jamieson is a 16 year veteran high school choral director and currently is an assistant director at Deer Park HS. Additionally, he has served as a music minister in several churches throughout his life. Meg, too, is an educator and has served within instructional leadership as well as in the secondary and post secondary science classrooms for the past 18 years. She is also a lifelong member of the ELCA, where she has served in Christian Education and faith development through the church. Bradley is accomplished in mixed martial arts and trombone and is looking forward to starting high school at Grand Oaks in the fall. Maggie loves basketball and creating artwork and with her sister, Juliet who loves playing with her dolls, are excited to start 6th grade and 1st grade in Willis. When not at school, we all love getting outdoors, watching sports, and playing with our three dogs.
Brendan and Carly Jones, Nathaniel, Sara and Henry – Our family moved to The Woodlands in 2015, just before our oldest son, Nathaniel, started kindergarten. Since then, The Woodlands has truly become home. Our two younger children, Sara and Henry, attended KOK Preschool, and we’ve visited the church off and on over the years. Carly grew up in Houston attending non-denominational churches, where her father served in music ministry as a guitarist. Before starting our family, she worked as an educator and has always had a heart for children. Brendan was raised in Galveston and grew up in the Episcopal Churches. He now works as an oil and gas attorney and is a partner at his law firm. We’ve both been shaped by these roots and have been seeking a church that aligns with our values. After visiting many places, we’ve found that Lord of Life resonates with us. Nathaniel is almost 15 and a freshman at College Park HS. Sara, 12, will be attending Knox Junior High next school year and is excited to join the dance team. Henry, 10, will be at Collins Intermediate and enjoys playing baseball. We’re excited to grow in faith, fellowship, and service as part of a welcoming church.
Art & Valerie Owsijuk – Art, Valerie, and John Owsijuk are delighted to have found a new spiritual home at Lord of Life Lutheran Church! Art was born in Germany and was christened in the Lutheran Church. Art and his parents immigrated to the United States as a child, and he and his parents were sponsored by the Emmanuel Congregational Church. He graduated from the university in Huntsville, TX with an MA and worked for about 30 years for the Texas Department of Human Resources in Child Care Licensing and Financial Services. In college, he met his wife Valerie, a native Texan. She received an M.Ed. degree and taught elementary students for 38 years. Art & Valerie have two children, Elizabeth and John, who both graduated from The Woodlands High School and live in the area. John worked at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion for nine years. The Owsijuk family is excited to have found a new church home.
John Owsijuk – I grew up in The Woodlands, and graduated from the Woodlands High School in the spring of 2001. I was confirmed in the early 1990’s and in 2006 I was baptized. I worked at The Woodlands Pavilion from 2011-2019. I am so glad to be going to church here and I am looking forward to serving Christ!
January 2025
Denise Domingue – I am from Lafayette, Louisianna. Although I just officially moved here four months ago, I have been attending services at LOL with my children and grandchildren every time I visited them. I am so excited to officially become a member of this wonderful congregation. I am enjoying every aspect of Texas living and having the opportunity to watch my four beautiful grandkids grow up. In my spare time, I enjoy traveling, cooking, shopping, and making new friends. After leaving the Catholic Church, I began attending First Lutheran Lafayette (ELCA) Church in Louisiana, where I really rediscovered my faith and love in Christ. I am very thankful that my family and I have found such a wonderful, welcoming, and loving community at LOL. Thank you all for welcoming my family and I with big, open arms, and I cannot wait to get to know each and every one of you.
Susan Vein – I’ve lived in the Cypress/Spring/Woodlands area since 1993. My husband Harry (retired United Methodist Pastor) and I first visited LOL on Easter Sunday. I love adventures, walks with our dogs, bringing home stray dogs, time at the gym, concerts, a good book, and spending time with my family and friends. I have two sons, Nathaniel and Nicholas who work and live in the area, as well as my parents. We are very thankful for the congregation we have found and look forward to serving and being involved and getting to know many of you.
Katie & Sam Verheyen, Stella – Moved to Magnolia in March 2024 from Kenosha, Wi. Sam comes from a Lutheran background. Katie grew up and was confirmed catholic. Our daughter Stella was born November 22, 2024. As a family we enjoy watching sports (go packers & duke blue devils) and spending time outside with our 2 dogs.
Laura and Mike Calizzi – We are originally from Pennsylvania and lived in Georgia and Virginia prior to moving to Texas in 2011. We’ve been married for 33 years. Laura teaches ESOL (English) at Lone Star College. Mike is an engineer. We have 2 adult sons, who are both software engineers. In our free time, Laura runs, bikes and volunteers teaching English. Mike plays golf and plays saxophone in the church jazz band.
Becky Cox – I am a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner in the area. I have been married to my husband, Jesse Cox, since December of 2000. He is a Firefighter/Paramedic for TWFD. We have two sons. First, Jayden who is 21 and will be graduating from Texas A&M this spring with a degree in computer science. He is engaged to Addison, an education major who also will be graduating this spring. They plan to get married in Colorado in June. Second, Kasen who is 16 and a Sophomore at Providence Classical School where he plays on the soccer team. I have lived in The Woodlands area since 1997, right before the start of my Junior year of high school. I was raised in the Church of Christ and worshiped there until 2014 when I started attending a Bible church in the area. Coming from a fundamentalist background, Lord of Life has already taught me so much about practicing a more progressive and inclusive faith. I am also excited about the multiple opportunities provided at Lord of Life to serve both the church community and surrounding community. 
Steve and Jennie Woerner – We moved here in 2008 after many years in the Lake Houston area. Jennie was born and raised in Iowa and Steve in Pennsylvania. Both of us were baptized and confirmed in Lutheran congregations growing up and attended various Lutheran churches over the years. Jennie is retired after 30 years working as a dental assistant and office manager at a dental practice in Kingwood. Steve retired after 30+ years in the O&G Chemical industry at Honeywell and ABB as a Project Manager and Global Engineering Manager. Steve has also served in the US Air Force. We have 5 grown children,10 grandkids and 2 greats. We enjoy travel and have been blessed to have traveled all over the globe, through various work assignments and as part of teaching SCUBA diving at local dive shops and a couple university programs around the state as well as leading groups on international trips for recreation and research projects.
Rudy & Kristin Martinez – We have lived in the area since 2010. In 2024, we sold our home, downsized, and moved to Porter. We are enjoying our new home as empty nesters of a blended family. We both experienced a solid Christian upbringing. Rudy was raised Catholic, and Kristin, Lutheran. Our faith has always been the most essential part of our lives. When we married, we agreed to combine backgrounds and join the Methodist church, where we have served in various roles, including active choir members. We both enjoy music, particularly gospel and hymns. Good music in a church is crucial to us, so it was an attraction when we attended Lord of Life. We enjoy spending time with our families, watching movies, listening to music and working on projects for their new home.
Deborah & Scott Welch – Deborah and Scott are transfer members from Memorial Lutheran Church in Texas City. Scott has been a lifelong member of MLC and Deborah since 1992. They have 2 children, Spencer, 33, and Taylor-Gayle, 29, as well as 2 grandchildren. Scott is a United Airlines B737 captain and Deborah is a United Airlines flight attendant. They have both been with the company for 30-plus years and are now looking forward to retirement in just over two years. Residents of New Caney, they enjoy living on their 10 acres and everything that comes with it. Scott enjoys being on his tractor and working in his shop. Deborah enjoys history, travelling, and her dogs. They both enjoy being with friends and family. 
Bryant & Erica Johnson, Lukas, Chloe, Brynn – 
Louise O’Connell – Until recently, I was a lifelong resident of Michigan, growing up 25 miles outside of Detroit. Throwing caution to the wind, I relocated to The Woodlands Texas in 2018 for a job opportunity, leaving behind my old life. I have two adult children. Melissa lives in Manhatton, New York and Ryan lives in Clayton, Ohio with his wife. I was raised Catholic, but changed to Lutheran. Aside from working, I enjoy attending concerts, playing card games, and traveling. Two years ago, I finished visiting all 50 states, ending with the State of North Dakota and becoming a member of their “Best for Last Club.”
Natalie & Jake Controne, Cooper & Clara – Natallie and Jake are Texas natives (Houston and Dallas) who met in college at Oklahoma State University. They were married in 2019, and now have two beautiful children, Cooper (3) and Clara (5 months). Natallie was a middle school choir teacher for 6 years before stepping out of education to be a stay-at-home mom. She has also been a worship leader in the 11:00 service band since 2017! Jake is a safety professional for ExxonMobil, and though his work has taken him all over Texas and beyond, the Contrones call Magnolia home. Their favorite place to visit as a family is South Padre Island, and in general love spending time outdoors as long as the temperature permits. The Contrones are so joyful to (finally!!!) join the Lord of Life family!
Debbie Shoyket – I’ve lived in The Woodlands since 2004, when I relocated from my home state of New Jersey for my job in information technology. I attended university classes part-time for several years and, thanks to the Lord and supportive coworkers, I earned a degree in 2001. I live with my three cats and dog who keep me entertained. I enjoy reading, walking outside, music, podcasts, movies, and being with friends. I grew up a Presbyterian and was re-baptised in 2012 at the United Methodist Church. It is my pleasure to grow in the love of Christ.
Tina Hallare – I have been married to my husband Michael for 25 years and we have 2 boys: Miguel, who is 24 years old, and Santino, who just turned 19. I was born and raised in Manila, Philippines, but we have lived in the Woodlands for 17 years. I am an early childhood educator. I taught Pre-K at Interfaith Child Development Center and am now working as a Kindergarten Teaching Assistant in The John Cooper School. I love listening to music and podcasts, watching movies, reading, and gardening. My husband and I were born into the Catholic faith and educated in a Jesuit University but for a time, we were “lapsed Catholics.” We found Lord of Life when our son Santino served as an assistant to the Lord of Life Choir during his senior year of high school. Initially, we attended the services to hear our son sing, but we quickly discovered that the church’s teaching resonated with us. We were especially drawn to its message of acceptance and inclusivity and the warm sense of community.
Laura Odelius – I live in Spring with my husband, Dwight, and twin boys, Alexander and Daniel (15). I grew up in Houston (attending South Main Baptist Church), spent 10 years in Chicago, and moved back in 2001. My husband and I run a small design/communications agency. Before that, I taught history for several years at HBU and spent a decade as an information management consultant. I started coming to LOL with my mom, Rose Sinclair, who has been a member since 2013. I’m a lifelong singer and love being part of the choir and music at the 8:30 service. I appreciate LOL’s focus on grace, and the way its members consistently and without fanfare make a difference in the community.