Our Pastors
Bob & Sherry Phillips
Pastor Bob & Sherry were called to the Encourager Church in 1999. Previously he pastored at Times Square Church with David Wilkerson. After his time in New York, he established a national radio ministry called “Come Up Higher.” At Brownsville Assembly, in Pensacola, Florida, he served as the head of the pastoral care department of the Brownsville Revival School of Ministry and also taught in the school of ministry. His ministry is now dedicated to teaching the nature and principles of the Kingdom of God in order to restore the church to its prophetic calling. Bob has a burning desire to see the next generation trained and equipped for the purposes of God. They have a son, Andrew, who is an officer in the Marines and a daughter, Nicole, who is a lawyer in Houston.
Billy & Donna Burton
Pastor Billy is a Senior Associate Pastor for the church with responsibilities that include coordinating the administration of the church and oversees missions. Donna serves as the director of Women’s ministries. They joined the staff in 2000. Prior to serving at Encourager, they pastored churches in Kentucky and Arkansas. They also served in the pastoral care department and he taught in the Brownsville Revival School of Ministry.
They have three children, Allison, Brad, and Natalie, and seven grandchildren.
Fernando & Angie Ruata
Pastor Fernando is a Senior Associate Pastor with responsibilities that include coordinating all ministries that relate to pastoral relations. He and his wife, Angie, joined the staff in 2004. Before joining the pastoral staff of Encourager church, they pastored Harvest Time church in Houston, Texas. Angie currently serves as a part of the leadership team for the Worship ministry. They have two children, Stephanie and Chris.
Johnny & Sara Fernandez
Pastor Johnny’s responsibilities include coordinating the worship and creative arts ministries, as well as pastoring our shut-ins and hospitalized. His wife, Pastor Sara Fernandez, is the Associate Children’s Pastor and serves alongside Pastor Carol Oakes in our Children’s Ministry. Both Pastor Johnny and Pastor Sara joined the staff in 2002. They have three sons, Evan, Gabe, and Joel.
David & Carol Oakes
Pastor Carol Oakes is the Children’s Pastor. Carol’s husband, David, is one of our Elders. David and Carol have been at Encourager for over 15 years, and Carol has been our Children’s Pastor since 2002. They have nine children, Joshua, Matthew, Daniel, Anna, Joy, Hope, Mercy, Samuel, and Benjamin. Their youngest five were all adopted from China.
Annie Byrne
Pastor Annie Byrne is both the Pastor of Supernatural Ministries and the Director of the Encourager School of Kingdom Ministry. Before joining our staff in 2010, Annie was Randy Clark’s intern.
Gabriele Soltau
Born and raised in Germany, Gabriele (Gabi) Soltau, came to America in 1989 to serve as a missionary. She served on the staff of Doug Stringer's Turning Point Ministries where she helped facilitate prayer meetings, AIDS ministry and street ministry. She joined the staff in 2002, and serves as the prayer leader.
Bob & Sherry Phillips
Pastor Bob & Sherry were called to Encourager Church in 1999. Previously he pastored at Times Square Church with David Wilkerson and at Brownsville Assembly in Pensacola, Florida. They have two children, Nicole and Andrew.
Billy & Donna Burton
Pastor Billy Burton is a Senior Associate Pastor for the church and oversees the Encourager Church Staff. Pastor Billy also oversees the following ministries: Usher/Greeter, Altar ministry, Children, and Media. He and his wife, Donna, joined the staff in 2000.
Fernando & Angie Ruata
Pastor Fernando Ruata is a Senior Associate Pastor and the overseer of the following ministries – Pastoral Care, Youth, Connection Points, Outreach and LifeStreams Bookstore. He and his wife, Angie, joined the staff in 2004.
David & Carol Oakes
Pastor Carol Oakes is the Children’s Pastor. Carol’s husband, David, is one of our Elders. David and Carol have been at Encourager for over 15 years, and Carol has been our Children’s Pastor since 2004.
Ken & Faith Haley
Ken Haley and his wife, Faith, have been members since 1989. They were missionaries to Mexico and their heart is to continue working in missions. Ken has his own business of commercial and residential painting. They have three sons..
Roy & Joan Sugawa
Roy Sugawa, and his wife, Joan, have been at Encourager for three years. After nine state-to-state moves for military service and business, Roy transferred to Houston, Texas and served as Vice President of International Sales with one of Baker Hughes’ companies. They have been involved with various aspects of church ministry. Since Roy took an early retirement in 1999, they have been active with volunteer work -- missions and feeding the homeless. They are currently serving in the Healing Rooms at Encourager Church.
Walt & Patty Raske
Walt Raske and his wife, Patty, are longtime members of Encourager Church. Self-employed in business for years, Walt & Patty are in retirement now and on Mondays enjoy helping with the Healing Rooms located here at Encourager Church as well as serving in deliverance ministry. This past year Walt & Patty celebrated 50 years of marriage.
