March 11, 2026
Search Team Update
Plans are complete for a special Sunday, March 22, when we begin 7 Days In One Accord...A Time of Focused Prayer
- Dr. Ronnie Walker will be leading us into a directed time of prayer for the next 7 days as the Search Team begins reviewing resumes and meeting candidates. He has prepared a Prayer Guide for us which will focus on a different scripture and specific prayer for Monday, March 23 thru Sunday, March 29 - 7 Days in One Accord.
- Sunday, March 22 will also be the day when our Vanderbloemen Consultant, Brett Connolly, will be worshipping with us before meeting with the Search Team. He comes to bring us our first slate of candidates for Worship Pastor and Pastor of Discipleship and to speak to the church family briefly about progress they are making with finding and vetting candidates for the two positions as well as those to fill the position formerly held by Zack Ryer. The Search Team is looking forward to worshipping with Brett and spending the afternoon with him as we see our first candidates.
- On Monday, March 24, we will begin scheduling Zoom interviews with the candidates over the next few days. After the Zoom interviews are completed, the Search Team will invite viable candidates to visit and meet with us in person. Check back here, on our website, for further news and updates as we begin the process of interviewing.
March 2, 2026:
Search Team Update
We just received great news from Brett today that there's a chance he will be bringing an additional candidate for the Worship Pastor position when he comes on March 22. We could also see our first candidates for Pastor of Discipleship. We will have a long day that Sunday so please pray for the team and for Brett's safe travel to meet with us.
Feb 28, 2026:
Search Team Update
The Pastor Search Team will be welcoming our Vanderbloemen Consultant, Brett Connolly, on Sunday, March 22. Brett will worship with us that morning and then meet with the Search Team after lunch to present the first slate of 5 candidates for our Worship Pastor position. The Search Team will have the opportunity to view the candidates' introductory videos and will immediately begin scheduling Zoom interviews with the candidates. Watch this website page for additional news as the search process continues for our Worship Pastor, our Pastor of Discipleship and our new Technical and Communications Director. Read more about Brett below.
Feb 23, 2026:
Introducing Vanderbloemen and Our Consultant, Brett Connolly
The foundation for Vanderbloemen began long before the firm began helping churches find key leaders. For 15 years, William Vanderbloemen was active in local church ministry, the bulk of which was spent as a Senior Pastor of churches ranging from 350 to over 5,000 people. That active church leadership, combined with William's work experience in a Fortune 200 company doing talent integration and retention, laid the groundwork for Vanderbloemen.
Through extensive experience in both ministry and business, God placed a desire in William to build a search firm that could help churches find key leaders. In 2008, William sought out and received top-notch training in executive search practices, learning from an expert in the field who has served over two decades in retained executive search, including time at Russell Reynolds.
In 2010, God birthed a firm that has since gone further and wider in executive search work than William or anyone on the team ever foresaw. The firm has over 30 full-time staff members and boasts the only executive search firm built solely for the church with full-time staff, real corporate training, and active church leadership experience. Vanderbloemen has worked in nearly every state in the United States and has a blossoming international practice, including work in India, Canada, Australia, Uganda, and Bermuda.
The firm works with churches of every size, ranging from 70 to over 70,000 in weekly attendance. Vanderbloemen has successfully executed searches in over 75 different denominations or types of churches, ranging broadly in ethnicity, theological bent, and philosophy of ministry.
Providing guidance to churches looking for a new Senior or Lead Pastor has become an area of particular expertise for the firm. Succession planning and helping churches transition after a long-time pastorate is a special passion for William, and the firm has become known for its work in this area. William’s book, Next: Pastoral Succession That Works, was published by Baker Books in September of 2014, and quickly sold out of its first printing. After multiple printings of the book, Vanderbloemen saw a need in the church for a deeper step into succession planning through succession consultation. To that end, the firm established a succession consultation practice that has helped many ministries talk and plan through a successful succession. (Taken from SUCCESSION CONSULTATION REPORT By Brian Dunks, July 2023)
In 2010, God birthed a firm that has since gone further and wider in executive search work than William or anyone on the team ever foresaw. The firm has over 30 full-time staff members and boasts the only executive search firm built solely for the church with full-time staff, real corporate training, and active church leadership experience. Vanderbloemen has worked in nearly every state in the United States and has a blossoming international practice, including work in India, Canada, Australia, Uganda, and Bermuda.
The firm works with churches of every size, ranging from 70 to over 70,000 in weekly attendance. Vanderbloemen has successfully executed searches in over 75 different denominations or types of churches, ranging broadly in ethnicity, theological bent, and philosophy of ministry.
Providing guidance to churches looking for a new Senior or Lead Pastor has become an area of particular expertise for the firm. Succession planning and helping churches transition after a long-time pastorate is a special passion for William, and the firm has become known for its work in this area. William’s book, Next: Pastoral Succession That Works, was published by Baker Books in September of 2014, and quickly sold out of its first printing. After multiple printings of the book, Vanderbloemen saw a need in the church for a deeper step into succession planning through succession consultation. To that end, the firm established a succession consultation practice that has helped many ministries talk and plan through a successful succession. (Taken from SUCCESSION CONSULTATION REPORT By Brian Dunks, July 2023)
Executive Search Consultant, Brett Connolly
Brett helps ensure that highly qualified candidates fit the ministerial and spiritual needs of the clients, and he guides candidates through the Vanderbloemen interview process as well as proactively searches for candidates on behalf of Vanderbloemen’s clients. Brett has completed over 150 searches during his time at Vanderbloemen.
He is a Houstonian born and raised, growing up in Kingwood, and currently living in Cypress. Brett attended Dallas Baptist University where he studied communication theory and Christian studies. He and his wife, Mackey, have been married for 11 years and they love chasing their toddler around.
Brett has nearly a decade of full-time pastoral experience. He served on staff at Second Baptist Church, and most recently West Conroe Baptist Church.
In his free time, Brett enjoys going to sporting events with his family (rooting on the Rockets and Astros!), going to the movies, and relaxing at home with a cup of coffee in his hand while reading or streaming a movie.
He is a Houstonian born and raised, growing up in Kingwood, and currently living in Cypress. Brett attended Dallas Baptist University where he studied communication theory and Christian studies. He and his wife, Mackey, have been married for 11 years and they love chasing their toddler around.
Brett has nearly a decade of full-time pastoral experience. He served on staff at Second Baptist Church, and most recently West Conroe Baptist Church.
In his free time, Brett enjoys going to sporting events with his family (rooting on the Rockets and Astros!), going to the movies, and relaxing at home with a cup of coffee in his hand while reading or streaming a movie.
