STAFF

Rev. David Slyter

Head Pastor

MEET PASTOR DAVID: Originally from Kansas City, MO, Pastor David received his undergraduate degree in Psychology from Washburn University in Topeka, KS, and his Masters in Divinity from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 2004. 

 

Pastor David was ordained in the PC(USA) in November 2004 at Wimberley Presbyterian Church in Wimberley, TX where he served as the Associate Pastor of Youth and Family Ministry. Before seminary he served as youth director at First Presbyterian Church of Tyler and Bellaire Presbyterian Church in Houston. Pastor David has served on the Grace Presbytery Youth Ministry Committee and on the staff of several presbytery and synod youth conferences.

 

Pastor David began his call at Grace First Presbyterian Church in October of 2009. He enjoys hunting, working in his yard, and spending time with friends and family.

Marialice Parish, M.M. 

Director of Music & Organist

MEET MARIALICE: Marialice Parish is Director of Music and Organist, a post she has held since 1992. Ms. Parish was reared in Marshall, Texas, and holds degrees in organ performance from Centenary College of Louisiana, Shreveport, Louisiana, and from Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas. She has done extensive post graduate work in organ performance and choral work at the University of North Texas, Denton. She has served churches of many denominations and enjoys teaching organ to interested students. Ms. Parish is also on staff at Texas Christian University as Wedding Organist for Robert Carr Chapel.

Alycia Nelson

Financial Administrator

MEET ALYCIA: Alycia joined the Grace First staff in November of 2014. She has a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Economics from Utah State University and has experience as a tax accountant and bookkeeper. Alycia has been married to husband, Nicholas Nelson, since 2000. She stays busy keeping up with her three school aged children; Blake, Sydney, and Trey. 

 

In her spare time, Alycia enjoys running, genealogy, and cooking. 

Lacey VanPay

Office Coordinator

MEET LACEY: Lacey joined the Grace First staff in April of 2017. She and her husband Seth along with their children; Taylor, Corbin, and Emilia, and their two nieces; Avalon and Piper and nephew, Talon, moved to Texas in 2016. The family stays very busy with school sports and church. Lacey and her family enjoy camping, hiking, gardening, and other activities their large family of eight can participate in.