STAFF & LEADERSHIP

Derran joined the staff of Belton Church of Christ in October of 2023. Derran grew up in Abilene, TX and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Text (2000) and a Master of Divinity (2006) from Abilene Christian University. He served as a missionary in northern Thailand for seven years and, upon returning, worked at Highland Church of Christ in Abilene as the Director of Global Ministries. He has taught in the Department of Bible, Missions and Ministry at ACU and was the Executive Director of Experiential Learning there for four years. He has also worked for the International Rescue Committee. Derran is the co-author of “Development in Mission: A Guide for Transforming Global Poverty and Ourselves”.

Derran is married to Ann. She teaches Special Education and is a certified spiritual director. They have three wonderful children: Brynn, Meg, and Dax. Derran enjoys fishing, music, reading, traveling, and deep theological conversations over coffee. 

Bruce and his family joined the Belton family in July 2017. Bruce grew up in Tyler, TX at the Shiloh Rd Church of Christ. He attended Abilene Christian University and received his Bachelor of Arts in Bible with an emphasis in Youth Ministry in 2000. He also received his Master of Science in Digital Media with an emphasis on Graphic Design from Abilene Christian in December 2001. Bruce has worked in youth ministry full-time since August 2001 and has served at Austin St. Church of Christ (Garland, TX) and Pine Tree Church of Christ (Longview, TX).

Bruce and his wife, Katy, have two children, Caleb and Peyton.  Both Bruce and Katy have a passion for teens and love encouraging them to grow spiritually. Through a combination of spiritually-minded classes & activities and fun events, their aim is to grow a group of adolescents into a strong community of young believers.

Thurmond and his family became members of the Belton Church in October 2021. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Thurmond attended Southwestern Christian College in Terrell, Texas (2000-2002) and was a member of the Testimony and Summer Tour ensembles. After graduation from SWCC, Thurmond moved and became a member of the Minda Street Church of Christ (Abilene, TX), where he was trained and developed as a worship leader.

Thurmond obtained a Bachelor of Science in Psychology (2005) and a Master of Science in Social Work (2021) from Abilene Christian University. Thurmond worked in Abilene ISD for Communities in Schools (a dropout prevention/intervention program) and also as the Educational Coordinator for Abilene Christian University’s Upward Bound program.

He is a composer and songwriter of Christian/Gospel Music. One of Thurmond’s most prominent works, “It’s All About Him” has been sung and recorded by various artists and groups such as The Electrifying Easternnaires of New York, The Homecoming Project in Rogersville, Alabama, and the Praise and Harmony Singers published through Anthony K Music. Thurmond’s prayer is that his music will penetrate the hearts of those with a desire to know Him.

Thurmond married his beautiful wife, Camile, on December of 2010, and together they have four boys: Jacques Kane, Thurmond Jr., Lincoln Robert, and Wynston.

Vince joined our staff in February 2018. Vince grew up in Haslet, Texas, a small suburb of north Fort Worth. He attended the Heritage Church of Christ, where his passion for ministry began. His desire is to help build a foundation of faith in our youngest Christ-followers. In 2014, he graduated from Lubbock Christian University with a B.A. in Children’s Ministry and served at the Kingwood Church of Christ (Kingwood, TX) prior to joining the Belton family.

While at LCU, Vince met his wife, Mikael-Anne, who is a nurse at McLane Children’s Hospital in Temple. They married in 2012 and now have four children —Asher, Keziah, Judah, and Ezri.

Katee has been a member of Belton Church of Christ since 2014 and joined our staff in 2022. Katee grew up in Longview, Texas and attended Alpine Church of Christ. She attended Baylor University where she received her Bachelors in Elementary Education in 2013. Katee taught second grade and kindergarten in Belton ISD before joining Belton Christian Preschool.

Katee married her husband, Nick in 2013. He is a football coach and member of the National Guard. They have two daughters, Emmie and Kerris.

Jane Anne has been part of the church staff since 2006. She attended Abilene Christian University where she received her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. Jane Anne taught 2nd grade in Waco ISD and 3rd grade in Belton ISD. She served as a tutor for Belton ISD for several years. She also taught at Western Hills Christian Preschool.

Jane Anne married Scott in 1986 and they have two daughters, Melany Cox and her fiancé, Joshua Yokum of Lubbock, TX, and Alyssa Sanabria and her husband Pablo of Abilene, TX.

Kelley and Ritchie joined the Belton family in 2016. Ritchie was the preaching minister for the Belton Church of Christ from 2016 to 2023. Kelley began working in the office in 2018 as a temporary staff member filling in the Financial Department. She enjoyed it so much, she applied for the part time job. Kelley works closely with the CPA firm, Patillo, Brown, and Hill. Kelley taught school for 33 years and retired in 2015. The majority of those years were teaching middle school math and Algebra I, to middle school students. Towards the end of her career, she was the Counselor at White Oak Middle School.

Kelley and Ritchie have 2 married children, Spencer and Christine and
Sydney and Justin.

They have 2 grandchildren.

Kelley and Ritchie enjoy spending time with their children and grandchildren, friends, traveling, and cruising.