Dayspring
Biblical Foundation of Dayspring: Zechariah's Prophesy, Luke 1:76-79
"And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord. You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins. Because of God's tender mercy, the Dayspring from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace."
Jeff Olive - Pastor
Jeff is a native Texan who has served United Methodist Churches throughout the Texas Annual Conference for more than nine years, and a graduate of Sam Houston State University and Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University.
Prior to joining the ministry Jeff considered vocations as either an attorney or stand-up comic. To the dismay of many, that unfulfilled comic frequently finds an outlet in his preaching. He and his wife of 11 years, Sharla, live in Tyler with their two children, Avery and Anson.
When not serving Dayspring, Jeff likes to run so that he can enjoy his true hobbies of eating and sleeping. If you want too much information about him, you can check out his blog at jeffolive.wordpress.com.
Aaron Laird - Worship Leader
Psalm 40:3 says:
“And He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.”
As our worship leader, it is my goal that we see our portion of the body of Christ (Dayspring) empowered to worship God in spirit and in truth, with freedom, and in awe of who He is, and what He has done and can do in our lives. Through this, Dayspring UMC will fulfill Psalm 40:3 in Tyler Texas.
This is much more than what we do on Sunday morning at the Carmike theatre. Our lives should reflect God's truth throughout the week, as well. Dayspring has been blessed with a gifted worship team, and I ask each of them to consider their part in the service a 'gift' rather than a talent. The word 'talent' suggests that the music is something of us, rather than something given by God. Throughout scripture, God asks us to use our gifts for his glory. When this is our vision, it is then truly God's work.
Aaron is 29 and has been married for six short years. He and his wife Tara have a toddler, Avery. Tara is a chemical dependency counselor and full time wife and mother. Aaron loves to fish and is constantly in search of a new place to hunt. He earned his B.S. degree from East Texas Baptist University.
Sharon Troxell - Children's Ministry
"I've known my calling was teaching since I was nine years old," Sharon confesses. What she couldn't know then was the broad spectrum that spiritual gift would encompass.
Sharon grew up in southern California and attended UCLA earning a B.A. in Sociology, and a Master's degree in Education. She taught elementary school in California, Okinawa, and Arizona. Following a 15-year stint as full-time mom to her three children, Sharon re-entered teaching via Dayspring where she committed to give this next generation of children great memories of Sunday worship.
Determined to make Dayspring an awesome experience for kids, she explains, "Our program offers a kid-sized worship experience for our youngest members. Its interactive, dynamic programming leaves children begging for more... literally.
"I am very excited about this new path where God has led me. I can't wait to see what wonders lie ahead!"
Laura Carlson - Administrative Assistant
Acts 20:22-24 says:
"But there is another urgency before me now. I feel compelled to go to Jerusalem. I'm completely in the dark about what will happen when I get there. I do know that it won't be any picnic, for the Holy Spirit has let me know repeatedly and clearly that there are hard times and imprisonment ahead. But that matters little. What matters most to me is to finish what God started: the job the Master Jesus gave me of letting everyone I meet know all about this incredibly extravagant generosity of God.”
“It was the beginning of the year when I felt the relentless urge of God prompting me to move. As I began to seek His face and hear His voice I knew that church ministry was exactly where God was calling me and that a new plan was taking shape in my life.”
Being raised in a minister’s family, Laura has always known that she was put here to serve others in all that she did for the glory of Christ. However, she never knew exactly what that looked like until she visited Mobile, Alabama, following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, where the purest experience of The Church came into view for Laura as she worked with Habitat for Humanity. “Building a house for a needy family is charitable; swinging hammers with someone on their much needed home is life-changing. I believe that when we get to heaven God is going to see the number of times we met ‘the least of these’ in their greatest time of need; no matter the cost!”
Laura is excited about being in East Texas and looks forward to how God is going to use her and Dayspring to impact Tyler for His Glory!
