New World UMC Staff
Cassie is a native Californian. She received a BA in Global Studies from University of California, Santa Barbara. She moved to Texas in 2014 to begin work at Perkins School of Theology on a Masters in Divinity.
Cassie has spent 9 years in youth ministry. In her spare time she likes to study, run, crochet, and re-read Harry Potter books.
Call Cassie if you:
- have a youth and want to talk
- want to volunteer
- want to go for a run and talk about young people in the church
Stacey was born in Houston, Texas and graduated from the University of Houston with a degree in Psychology. She has worked with children in ministry for 18 years. She is married and has 5 children.
Call Stacey if you want to:
- Volunteer to help with children in ANY way
- Become involved with the Bus Ministry
- Go to a concert or Mystery Dinner Theater
Gara received his Bachelor of Music Education degree (vocal emphasis) from East Texas State University now Texas A&M at Commerce and his Masters of Church Music from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Gara has directed choirs and handbells for the past 7 years at New World. Gara has been directing choirs and working with music in both churches and schools for the past 42 years.
He is married to Vicky, an Elementary Music Specialist in Mesquite ISD. They have 3 children and 3 grandchildren.
In his spare time, he’s a Softball Umpire and Rangers fan!
Call Gara if you want to:
- talk about music and worship
- sing in the choir, play bells, or be on the Praise Team
- talk about baseball
- go to DQ to get a Blizzard. (He has coupons!)
Gloria Rust
Day School Director
Gloria has served as the Day School Director for 26 years. Gloria taught Mother’s Day Out and Preschool before accepting the position of Day School Director. She attended Texas Tech University and has a degree in Elementary Education.
Gloria found New World when searching for a preschool for her sons, James and Jon. Her weekly highlight is teaching Chapel.
Gloria’s favorite past time is spending time with her family, James and Abigail, Jon and Sarah Jane, and her granddaughters, Ruby and Millie.
Call Gloria if you want to:
- visit about children: tots to teens
- meet at Starbucks for tea and talk
- arrange a tour of the school and learn about its exciting programs.
Karen Roper
Pianist
Karen, the daughter of a Baptist preacher, started taking piano lessons at age 6. She started playing the piano in her father’s church when she was in Junior High School. She is also an accomplished vocal musician having won many awards while in school.
Karen has been the pianist at New World for the past 15 years. She has 2 children and 3 grandchildren.
Call Karen if you want to:
- want to talk music
- want to go to a concert
