Meet The Team
David McNitzky
Senior Pastor
David came as Senior Pastor in June 2019. Prior to that he was Senior Pastor of Alamo Heights UMC for 24 years. He has also served pastorates in Boerne, Helotes and Los Fresnos. David loves to teach and preach from Scriptures for everyday life. Multiple trips to Israel have also encouraged him to try to understand better the Hebraic roots of Jesus. David wants to read the Bible the way Jesus would have read it. He is also interested in the art and practice of leadership. David sees his main mission in life as the development of leaders through teaching and mentoring so that they can discern and live out God’s call on their lives. To that end he mentors a number of pastors, though he learns more from them than they learn from him! He is excited about discovering the new places where God is taking the church. David is a graduate of Southwestern University and also has an M.Div from Duke University. He earned his doctorate from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 1987.
David is married to Pam, who is a retired neonatal nurse practitioner. They are proud parents of three adult sons and even prouder grandparents of three grandchildren. David’s main passion outside of his family and the church is following Duke basketball.
Office: 512-282-7274 ext. 329
E-Mail: david@manchacaumc.org
CHANSIN ESPARZA
Associate Pastor
Chansin Esparza serves as our Associate Pastor. She has a background in pastoral leadership, connection ministry, youth ministry, journalism, and managing a nonprofit office. She completed a Bachelors in Biblical Studies at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn. in 2008 and a Master of Divinity degree from Truett Seminary at Baylor in 2013. Some of her favorite things about church are small group discussions, celebrating holidays and milestones together, digging deep into Scripture, and having a family with whom to journey the ups and downs of life. She juggles the demands of full-time ministry, marriage, and parenting three small children. As full as life can be, Chansin always loves making new friends.
Cell: 817-559-4040
E-Mail: chansin@manchacaumc.org
MARK HIXON
Director of Music & Fine Arts
Mark is an avid supporter of the arts. As the Director of Music and Fine Arts at MUMC he oversees all music, theater and art activities. Mark co-directs the Children's Choir and directs the Sanctuary Choir. Mark also manages the church calendar and scheduling of the building and facilities. In addition Mark is one of the staff representatives for the Worship and Fine Arts Team. Mark has two grown children, Seth and Leah. Mark currently serves as an officer for the Rio Texas Conference Chapter of the Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts.
Office: 512-282-7274 ext. 325
E-Mail: mark@manchacaumc.org
KIM CARROLL
Director of Christian Education
Kim has been a member of Manchaca UMC since 2001, joined the church staff as Director of Children's Ministries in 2009, and transitioned into the role of Director of Christian Education in 2013. She is passionate about Bible study and enjoys teaching people of all ages about the love of God through Jesus Christ. She is an avid reader, loves to laugh, and enjoys spending time with her family: husband Bruce, teen daughter, Kendall, and sweet puppy, Gracie.
Office: 512-282-7274 ext.324
E-Mail: kim@manchacaumc.org
LEIGH ANNE MOORE
Child Development Center Director
Leigh Anne Moore has been with Manchaca UMC Child Development Center since January 2001. She received her degree in Applied Learning and Development from the University of Texas at Austin. She is also certified in Early Childhood Education and English as a Second Language. Leigh Anne taught for ten years in public school, including Menchaca and Baranoff Elementary, before starting at the CDC.
Leigh Anne believes children need a loving and nurturing environment in which they are able to explore learning through a hands on approach. She resides in Buda with her husband, Greg and their two sons. Both of boys started in the nursery at the CDC and graduated from the program.
Leigh Anne attends Manchaca UMC and is involved with Vacation Bible School in the summer. In her spare time, she enjoys attending her son’s sporting events, running with her dog, camping and spending time with her family.
Office: 512-280-2552
E-Mail: leighanne@manchacaumc.org
DEANNA CUSTER
Office Manager/Webmaster
Deanna never imagined working in a church or as an office manager! After earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1985, she went to work for Lockheed Austin and then at Amp Packaging Systems until 1989. Deanna's first experience at Manchaca UMC was during the summer of 1990 when she took her year-old son Ryan to the Child Development Center for mother's day out. She worshipped here a few times with friends in the late 1990's, but in 2005, she practically "moved in" to MUMC FLC where she was a Jazzercise student/Class Manager. She became a certified instructor for Jazzercise in 2008 (and still is!). Through the Jazzercise classes, Deanna met many church members and was able to get to know many of the staff. She became involved by joining the Glory Bells handbell choir, joined an Emmaus walk, volunteered as the sanctuary "straightener." She became a full member in 2015 with her husband, Brice. Deanna became office manager in 2018, when long-time office manager Linda Crail retired. Empty-nesters Deanna and Brice live with their dog Pepper and cats Tye and Winston. Their 2 grown sons live in nearby Pflugerville.
Office: 512-282-7274 ext. 321
E-Mail: deanna@manchacaumc.org