LEADERSHIP

MINISTRY LEADERS

Our Ministry Leaders live out their faith and use their unique gifts to empower us all in faith, hope, and love! Meet our staff below. And when you meet them in person, you will be grateful for the JOY they bring to our life together!

OUR PASTORS

Pr. Lauren Dow Wegner

SENIOR PASTOR

Pr. Lauren Dow Wegner

BIO

Pastor Lauren loves Jesus and loves people, so for her, there's nothing better than being a pastor! She loves to hear people's stories and experiences of God in their lives. A native Texan, Pastor Lauren has also served wonderful congregations in North Carolina and Chicago. She's thrilled to be settled in Austin with her family--husband Dave, and children, Owen and Caroline. In her free time, PL writes about faith, life, and motherhood, and you might find her with her guitar writing a new song to share with the community.

Favorite part of the job? Equipping God's people to practice and share faith in our daily lives!

Email: lauren@shephills.org

Pr. Ryan Dockery

ASSOCIATE PASTOR

Pr. Ryan Dockery

BIO

Pastor Ryan is passionate about authentic connections and meeting people where they are in their faith. With a BBA from Sam Houston State and an MDiv from Luther Seminary, he’s served in roles across Texas and Washington. Married to Breann since 2017, he’s a proud dad to Emmett and Nolan. He enjoys reading, sports, live music, and breweries.

Favorite part of the job? Helping individuals recognize and cultivate the unique gifts they may not see in themselves.

Email: ryan@shephills.org

MINISTRY STAFF

Bill Dawson

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Bill Dawson

BIO

Bill manages the “business” functions of ShepHills and supports ministries in their operations, strategic planning and visioning. Bill enjoys witnessing Christ’s presence through all the various ministries, and the impact ShepHills makes on both local and global communities.

Favorite part of the job? Finding opportunities to expand ShepHill’s reach through enhanced technology.

Isabella Garcia

YOUTH MINISTRY INTERN

Isabella Garcia

BIO

Isabelle is originally from San Antonio and is studying Textiles and Apparel at the University of Texas. She also serves as the Community Life Intern at LuMin Campus Ministry and has spent three summers on staff at Camp Chrysalis sharing her energy and love for children and youth.

Brooke DeVaney

FINANCE OFFICER

Brooke DeVaney

BIO

Brooke finds great joy in serving Shepherd of the Hills, a church she’s called home for many years. With an accounting degree from Texas Lutheran University and a love of numbers, she supports the congregation’s financial health with care and attention to detail. In her free time, Brooke enjoys yoga and barre classes, walking with friends, and attending musicals... from Zilker Hillside to Broadway. She and her husband Sam have three children: Megan, Matthew, and Jake.

Favorite part of the job? Being part of a team that cares about each other, works with purpose, and truly supports our community.

Dabney Gomes

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

Dabney Gomes

BIO

Dabney’s life passion is design, and she counts herself lucky that she spends her work-life creating and communicating for her faith community at ShepHills.

Favorite part of the job? The challenge of communicating in a world of information overload!

Amanda Forsberg

ADMIN & COMMUNITY LIFE COORDINATOR

Amanda Forsberg

BIO

Amanda enjoys being the face of the front office for Shepherd of the Hills and feels very blessed to get to interact with each and every one of you. When she is not in the front office, Amanda loves to travel with her husband, Pete and cheer on the Longhorns.

Favorite part of her job? Seeing it all come together on Sunday morning!

Kevin McClure

DIRECTOR OF WORSHIP & ARTS

Kevin McClure

BIO

Kevin leads the music making at Shepherd of the Hills, by playing, singing, directing and planning. His most important role, however, is finding the wonderful talent here and giving it a place to shine.

Favorite part of the job? Finding the wonderful talent here and giving it a place to shine.

Megan Getman

CHILDREN'S MINISTRY COORDINATOR

Megan Getman

BIO

Megan loves nurturing the curiosity and wonder at God's never-ending love in our youngest disciples. She supports the creative endeavors of our Sunday'sCool team of teachers and encourages parents and kids alike to find the holy in ordinary everyday life. When not at ShepHills, Megan coaches rowing on Lady Bird Lake and loves playing with her dog.

Favorite part of the job? Fielding the creative questions and wild wonder that the kids bring to their encounters with God!

Philip Perry

CAMPUS SUPERINTENDENT

Philip Perry

BIO

Andrei Zimbalist

INSTRUMENTALIST

Andrei Zimbalist

BIO

Andrei Zimbalist, a virtuoso pianist, earned his Master’s degree from the famous Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory in 2013. Trained under Professor Zinaida Ignatieva, herself a laureate of the International Frédéric Chopin Piano Competition, Andrei boasts an impressive musical resume with multiple wins at international piano competitions across Russia, France, Germany, and Italy. He regularly performs solo recitals, conducts master classes globally, and collaborates with orchestras, showcasing his dedication to music education and performance.

Favorite part of the job? Adding Lutheran hymns to his repertoire!

OUTREACH

Weldon Allison

VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR OF LOCAL MISSIONS

Weldon Allison

BIO

Weldon and his wife Mary are long-time members of Shepherd of the Hills. Weldon is active in all aspects of our community, and serves on the Developing Missions Team.

Favorite part of the job? Weighing the food gathered each week for Bread for All, and being amazed at the steadfast generosity of our congregation.

Meredith Prater

BUTTERFLY CHRISTIAN PRESCHOOL DIRECTOR

Meredith Prater

BIO

Meredith is passionate about fostering the explosive growth and development of young children during their preschool years. She feels blessed to be able to do this in the nurturing, creative community of Butterfly Preschool. When she is not immersed in the world of child development, Meredith enjoys traveling and playing games with her husband, Andrew, and two teenagers, Allison and Max, as well as drinking coffee and reading good books.

Favorite part of the job? Connecting with parents as they discover how to best support their individual children within their unique families.