Who We are

 When I first moved to Texas, many years ago, I would often say, " I am not from here."  I always got the same response, "Yeah, we know."  Ok, I suppose the accent or lack of a Texas draw was a dead giveaway, however, over the years I have tried to pick up a few colloquialisms that helped me to fit in to my adoptive state.

The truth is I was raised in the Army by parents who hailed from outside Philadelphia, Doylestown, PA to be exact. We moved every 3 years and from one assignment to another, we traveled by car from one coast to the other. From Pennsylvania, Virginia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Germany, Washington state and back to Pennsylvania. I saw a lot of the country from the backseat of various Pontiacs. By the time I graduated high school, I had attended 20 different schools. I loved my life growing up, so I was not deterred by loss of friends or change of residences. My father raised us to be very patriotic, therefore, I always felt at home on an Army post with the American flag as the center of my world.

My brother was always one of the patriotic do-gooders. His whole life, he dreamed of being a law enforcement officer. He joined the Army and after his regular tour, he joined the Reserves and was later accepted in the Harrisburg, PA Police Department. After a dedicated service to the military and law enforcement he honorably retired from both career services.

After moving to Arizona to attend college, I met my husband of 42 years. He was a German Air Force Officer, who was in weapons training at Luke AFB. We married a year later in Germany and have one daughter who married a US Air Force F16 pilot. They have one daughter, Hannah Grace. 

My husband put in for and was assigned to the NATO Training Base as an instructor pilot at Sheppard AFB, in Wichita Falls, Texas where he retired from the German Air Force. He became an American and works in civil service as a flight simulator instructor at Sheppard.

I received my Master of Education 1985 and have worked in higher education most of my adult life. Most recently, I worked 25 years in the education center at Sheppard. This included ten years with University of North Texas and my most favorite position as Director at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for 15 years until I retired. 

After retirement I found various projects I enjoy doing to keep me busy such as joining a community choir, Bible study and writing Honor cards to the families of fallen first responders through the Bridge to the Badge. This is a mission of love and I am honored to be a part of it as I am a grateful and adamant supporter of law enforcement.

God has a plan for everyone and I am happy to continue to follow His word and the path He has guided me all my life.

I will sing to the Lord, because he has

dealt bountifully with me.

Psalm 13:6

 Tommie’s passion, throughout life, has always been teaching. She attended Northwest Bible College where her focus was on Christian Education. Although she worked for First National Bank of Dallas for several years, she was happy to resign her position there and go to work, full time, for her home and family. Tommie and her husband, Les, are parents to five grown children, whom she homeschooled for twenty-five years. She considers those days some of the

best of her life, and, now, enjoys seeing her children raising their families and impacting their communities through their various talents and ministries.

Tommie also worked in the Children’s Ministry Department of her local church for many years, serving in various areas. She taught Sunday School for over forty years; directed and taught Girl’s Clubs; directed children’s choirs and directed and taught many Vacation Bible Schools.

She served on the Christian Education Board of her church, as well as, the Ladies Ministry

Board, where she enjoyed the occasional opportunity of speaking at local Ladies Retreats.

Over the years, Tommie has been a part of several outreaches into the community. She worked with After School Bible Clubs at an elementary school in Dallas and volunteered with Operation Freedom, a homeland missions program. One of her favorite activities was serving with Les as

co-director of music at her church. During this period of time, they planned, choreographed and directed an event called Christmas Dinner Theater for several years. This was a great opportunity to involve the community in celebrating the holiday.

Following her teaching retirement, when her youngest daughter was enrolled in college, Tommie and Les relocated from Dallas to Tyler, Texas. During these retirement years, she enjoys volunteering in her new community. She has taught English as a second language; served as a

CASA for abused and neglected children; volunteered with the Children’s Advocacy Center of Smith County; volunteered in different capacities with Shelter Rock Ranch; and mailed out honor cards to families of first responders with Bridge to the Badge.

However, her greatest joy has been her home and family. She loves spending time with her husband, Les, and enjoying their children and grandchildren. They have just found out that grandchild #11 is on the way!

  Connie has a passion for encouraging others in their walk with God. She has been involved in church since childhood, being raised as a pastor's kid. Her husband, Terry, has pastored churches for over 45 years, and she has served alongside, being involved with many aspects of the ministry. In their pastoral ministry, Terry and Connie pioneered a church in San Antonio, and pastored there for over 15 years. They founded In-Courage Ministries, a ministry dedicated to encouraging ministers and their families and churches to follow Christ in courage and with joy. They provide and host three day retreats for pastor couples. She loves the partnership with Bridge to the Badge, promoting support from churches and ministries for first responders. Terry and Connie are currently members at Life Fellowship Church in Hurst, TX, where Connie serves as the staff keyboardist in the music ministry.  

Connie is also passionate about her love for her family – Terry, their two daughters, their sons-in-law, and the seven grandsons that bring such joy!

She is a licensed Minister of Music in the Church of God. She has been a guest speaker, musician and vocalist for women's conferences and events at churches throughout Texas, and in various states. She also serves as a board member on the Texas State Women’s Discipleship Board. She has authored a devotion book titled Joy for Life that is available on amazon.com.

In addition to her life of family and ministry, Connie has a 31 year career  in clinical research, and medical research management, which has provided additional opportunities for travel and personal ministry. She has been a guest speaker for clinical research conventions in Chicago, Baltimore, Denver, San Antonio, New York, San Diego, Dallas, New Orleans, and Nashville.