Our Staff
-RJ
Senior Pastor: RJ Dugone
RJ grew up in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He graduated from Northwest University in 1977 with a Bachelor's Degree in Biblical Literature, with Minors in Christian Education and History. He has always been heavily involved in music as a vocalist, arranger and producer. RJ served as the Senior Pastor of New Life Assembly in Idaho Falls, Idaho from 1980-1989. Among other things, RJ served as the musical advisor for the March for Jesus, produced a musical project for Glad Tidings of Austin, TX, and performed as the lead in a passion play called "Believe." In 1999 he joined the staff of North Austin Christian Church as the Minister of Music. He became the Senior Pastor of this church-planting effort called Believers Fellowship in 2002. You can read RJ's Blog at http://rjdugone.blogspot.com/Associate Pastor: Gino Pena
Gino grew up in the El Paso area and graduated from Southwest Texas State University in 1987 with a Bachelor's Degree in Theatre Education. He has taught for 12 years and and has 8 years experience in ministry. He was ordained by Faith Community Church in Wichita, KS in 2000 and, two years prior to that, was the live-in discipleship program director for Freedom At Last (an Exodus ministry) also in Wichita. From 03-07, he was the youth pastor at Believers Fellowship, leading "the best youth group in the history of the world...EVER!!! Gino is currently serving Believers Fellowship as the Chairman of the Elders. Gino is employed as an elementary Theatre Arts teacher with Leander I.S.D.Executive Administrator and Minister of Children's Ministries: Nina Pena
Nina Pena, who was born and raised in California, brings more than 14 years of professional childcare experience to her role as Minister of Children's Ministries. Nina previously worked at Faubion Elementary as a teachers assistant with special needs children. Before that, she was a School Age Program Director with the YMCA in San Antonio as well as in Florida. She holds a child care license with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Nina was a member of the board of directors of Believers Fellowship. Her favorite childcare role is that of mom to Andrew, Caleb, and Micah.Youth Ministry Leaders: David and Audra Fritz
David and Audra Fritz grew up in Hutto, Texas. They fell in love on the Southwest Texas State University campus and were married in 1998. David earned a Bachelors degree in Business Agriculture from SWT and Audra has a Bachelors of Business Administration from Concordia University at Austin. David is a Marketing Manager at Dell and Audra is a stay at home mom who enjoys hanging out with their son Ethan. They have been serving and leading in the youth group for over 8 years and took it over in 2007. David leads the AWESOME youth band while Audra heads up other areas of the ministry. Side by side they teach and counsel the youth. They love to spend time with our teenagers and enjoy just sharing life with them. Their goal is to connect teens with Jesus so they can fall in love with Him and devote their entire lives to Christ.
Minister of Music: Donna Anami
Donna Anami is an Austin based artist who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Music and Christian Education from Northwest College in Kirkland, Washington. She has worked professionally for over 30 years in the field of music, composing numerous original works and/or collaborating on, arranging and performing in a vast array of musical projects. However, Mrs. Anami's passion is teaching and mentoring.
Director of Women's Ministries: Pat Wassell
Pat grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida. She became a Christian as a child and participated in various youth and choir activities throughout her teens. She met her husband, Ed, in December of 1959 and they were married in June, 1960. They soon added 4 children to their family - 3 boys and 1 girl. The family lived in Florida, California, Alaska, North Carolina, Washington and Tennessee during Ed's 22 year military career. Since 1985, Pat has held various leadership roles in Women's Ministry at Castle Hills Christian Church in San Antonio, North Austin Christian Church and now at Believers Fellowship.
Director of Publications and Communications: Leila Dumas
Leila grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. She became a Christian as a child and participated in a variety of choir and youth activities throughout her teens. Leila has a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics and Physics from Mary Hardin Baylor University, a Master's degree in Mathematics from the University of Montana and credit for many post-graduate hours in physics and computer science at the University of Texas-Austin. She has taught physics and mathematics in high school and science education at the college level. She also has many years of experience teaching Sunday school to teenage girls as well as physics to elementary and secondary teachers. Leila's editorial experience, which began when she was in high school, has been sharpened by her many years of experience as editor of both church and educational publications. She is currently serving as a member of the Believers Fellowship Board of Directors and as Spiritual Growth Coordinator on the Women's Ministry Council.
