Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Marshall, Texas

Craig Vanbiber was born in Purcell, Oklahoma. His family moved a lot during his childhood and youth years (but Craig always found them!) - 4 cities in Oklahoma by age 6; Shreveport and New Orleans in Louisiana, and Midland and Houston in Texas, all before he graduated from high school (in New Orleans). So, when you ask him where he grew up, he asks you if you have a few minutes to spare!

Craig´s childhood family attended church faithfully. Although he can´t recall a time when he didn´t believe in Jesus Christ as the only begotten Son of God, who is the once crucified Savior and the resurrected Lord, he does recall when Jesus Christ brought him to a crisis—moment of faith and renewal by the Holy Spirit. Craig was involved with Young Life in New Orleans during high school (Young Life is a para—church organization that reaches out to youth with the gospel of Jesus Christ). The life—changing moment happened in June of 1976 at Young Life´s Silver Cliff Ranch near Buena Vista, Colorado. Craig stretched out on a rock at the base of the silver cliffs, and looking through tears of joy up into a glorious Colorado starlit night, Craig poured out his heart to the Lord in thanksgiving for what Jesus did for us on the cross; and with indescribable elation, he surrendered to the Lordship of Christ and to following Jesus wherever He would lead. Praise the Lord, who draws His sheep to Himself with cords of wonderful love!

After high school, Craig attended Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and graduated in 1982 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry. In January 1986, Craig married Jamie Patrice Gautreau, and the two of them have served the Lord together since then. In 1988, they were blessed with twin daughters, Hannah and Sarah. Together as a family, they moved to Orlando, Florida for three years (1994—1997) while Craig completed a Master of Divinity degree at Reformed Theological Seminary.

Craig worked for 2 years in industry as a chemist, but ministry has been Craig´s primary calling. He served over 20 years in youth ministry: as a volunteer and then a staff representative for Young Life; as a church volunteer youth leader; and twelve years on staff as a youth minister at three different churches. After his youth ministry years, he was ordained and served seven years as an Associate Pastor in Flint, Michigan before coming to EPC of Marshall to serve as Pastor in February 2006.

Benjamin Wall was born and raised in upstate New York. He married a Texan in April of 2005 and began serving EPC as youth minister in August of that same year. In 2010 Ben was given the responsibilities of ministering to young adults in the body. He attended Pensacola Christian College for three years but ultimately completed a Bachelor of History degree from The School of Biblical and Theological Studies.

His favorite theologians include English Puritan Thomas Watson, Baptist minister John Piper, and Presbyterian pastor Tim Keller. He enjoys the music of the Sons of Korah, Caedmon's Call, and Chris Tomlin.

On Sunday mornings you will catch Ben, with EPC's Praise Team, leading in congregational singing as part of the worship service. After the service you might see his three year old daughter, Samantha, running around the sanctuary stirring up as much trouble as she possibly can.

For more information on EPC's youth ministry and young adult ministry, please view the pages on this website, contact the church office, or email Ben at the contact below.

Angie Anders was born in Shreveport, LA, raised in a Chistian homeschooling family, married her sweetheart at age 18, and together they have two lovely daughters. They moved into the Marshall area in 1999. After much prayer and thought, Jeremy and Angie visited and later joined the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Marshall, and were instantly "home".

Angie started out teaching children´s choir and then added Sunday School to the mix, but when the church was ready to take a step forward and hire their very first children´s ministry director, she had not even an inkling that the Lord would call her to such a position! But God does like to keep us on our toes, and so he did indeed guide her to take it, and though she sometimes questions her sanity, she never questions her calling.

Angie and her family are blessed to be loved and encouraged by a church congregation that loves and cherishes children, and wants them to grow in the Lord to be strong young men and women.

Sarah Joe Strong has served EPC Marshall as Music Ministries Director since the very beginning of the church in June of 1985. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree from East Texas Baptist College.

As Music Ministries Director, Sarah Joe believes that participating in the music of the church is definitely a ministry to the Lord, and it takes people with willing hearts, to be used by the Lord, to make a strong music ministry. To honor, glory, and exalt the Lord is always our goal.

Joyful Sounds Children´s Choir, originating in September, 1985, and Voices of Worship Adult Choir, originating in January, 1986, are directed and coordinated by Sarah Joe. These choirs present music to enhance the worship services as well as providing seasonal presentations.

Shirley Ransom was born in New Waverly, Texas. She grew up in Pasadena, Texas, where she graduated from Pasadena High School in 1957. She worked as a medical assistant for many years. After leaving the medical field, she became a paralegal/legal assistant in Irving, Texas, where she worked until she retired.

She and her husband, Donnie, have been married for 32 years. They have four children, seven grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. After retirement in 2003, they moved to Jefferson, Texas, where they currently reside.

Shirley came to EPC in May, 2008, to work as the Church Secretary. With a joyful and willing heart she answers phones, prepares newsletters and bulletins, and does a multitude of other things for the church family. Shirley says she feels blessed to serve at EPC.