Our Staff
Rev. Andrew (Andy) Gans
PASTOR AND HEAD OF STAFF
Andy was called to Pines in the spring of 2017, having previously served churches in Florida and Georgia. Andy was raised in Baltimore, Maryland, and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Southern Methodist University and a Master of Divinity degree from Columbia Theological Seminary. Andy’s passion for Christ, his desire to seek justice for all people, his gift of real and vulnerable preaching and his previous experience in youth and children’s ministry are benefits not only to the Pines congregation, but also to the larger church and the surrounding community. He eagerly uses his gifts to walk alongside the Pines family, as together we seek to deepen our understanding of faith through study, worship, and mission. Andy and his wife, Cheryl, are the proud parents of two adult daughters.
Email Pastor Andy
Kristin Beall
DIRECTOR OF FAMILY MINISTRIES
Kristin has been in ministry since 1993 in both the Presbyterian and Methodist church. She has served as Director of Youth Ministry for the past 19 years at Braddock Street UMC in Winchester VA. Kristin holds professional certification in both Christian Education and Youth Ministry in the United Methodist church. Kristin was born and raised in Houston, spending a few of her teen years in Anchorage Alaska before graduating from Katy Taylor High School. She is happy to return to her hometown with her husband David Allen. They have three children, Garrett, Parker, and Autumn. There is also a cat (Chunkie) included in the family. The cat will be with us full time while we hope our children will be visiting on a regular basis. In addition to her family Kristin loves reading, blogging, travel, and spending time in nature- long as their teardrop camper is involved and not sleeping on the ground- that is done only in the name of Jesus. She looks forward to getting to know her new church family!
Email Kristin
Laurie Conner
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC MINISTRIES
Laurie comes to Pines Presbyterian Church from the classroom. Having taught music at all levels, pre-school through college, she was the head choir director in Houston ISD at Johnston Middle School for the Performing and Visual Arts for 18 years. Laurie finished her classroom career as the choir director at Terry High School in Lamar CISD before retiring in May of 2021. With degrees in piano, instrumental and vocal music education, Laurie brings a diversity of experience that is sure to enhance the life of the Pines family. Laurie is a lifelong church goer and is a member of Pines. While she has many former students of whom she is proud – once a Conner Kid, always a Conner Kid – she is most delighted with her own daughter, Sydney Conner, a trained opera singer who lives in The Woodlands and works in supply chain management. Thrilled to be working again with former colleague, Shawn Heller, accompanist extraordinaire, Laurie is ecstatic with the music team at Pines and looking to expand its reach and membership. As she always says, “God said, ‘Make a joyful noise’; He didn’t demand that we make a perfect one.” Come rehearse with us and make a joyful noise leading worship on Sunday mornings!!
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PRESCHOOL DIRECTOR
Connie Pike
Connie first joined the Pines family in 2009 as a preschool parent. Having experienced other schools in other cities, she immediately realized that Pines Preschool’s focus on developing the whole child was something truly unique in today’s fast-paced, schedule-driven world. Connie jumped at the chance to join the staff and spent 7-years as a teacher, before being named Director in 2017. A commercial banker in her previous life, she holds a BA degree from the University of Oklahoma and an MBA in Finance from the University of Missouri. Connie first honed her teaching skills at home where she and her husband, Troy, are the parents of three loud, opinionated, wonderful children. As a Christian, Connie believes she has the privilege and the responsibility to share God’s unconditional love to the children and parents of the preschool. As Jesus says in Matthew 19:14, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.”
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OFFICE MANAGER
Cindy Houlihan
Cindy came to Pines in December of 1999. As office manager, she works closely with all members of the church, manages the church facilities and supplies, and assists in the scheduling of all activities and special events. If you have a question concerning the church, she can usually answer it! Cindy has a son, JD.
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ACCOUNTING MANAGER
Alexis Graham
Alexis joined the office staff at Pines in November of 2014. She is a graduate of The University of Tulsa, with a Bachelor of Science in Economics and a MBA. Her background has lead her through many fields, industries and locations throughout the United States. Her primary responsibilities are to handle the accounting functions for the church, including accounts payable and receivables. She works under the guidance of the Church Treasurer and the Stewardship Committee. In addition, she provides support to the Committee Moderators in overseeing their committee budgets and disbursements.
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