Meet Our Staff

Senior Pastor

Steve Heyduck was appointed Senior Pastor in June 2012. He enjoys preaching, running, discussing politics and theology, travelling, and spending time with family and friends (not necessarily in that order). He first heard a call to ministry as a junior in high school, and has been pursuing it ever sense. Steve is excited about how this call has developed over the years. Currently, he understands it primarily in the sense of leading a congregation to be a part of our community and region reflect the redemption of God. He is the proud father of Robbie (27), Eliza (6), and Liam (4), and has been married to his lovely wife Rachel, for 7 years.

Associate Pastor

Beverly married her high school sweetheart, Mike Springer, in 1968. They have two sons – Jeff and Kevin, two daughters-in-law – Franny and Kristin, and two granddaughters – Alex (24) and Peyton (7). The Springers have been members of First Euless UMC for 29 years. In 1998 Beverly surrendered to her call to ministry. She returned to school in order to complete her undergraduate studies, and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of Texas in Arlington. Beverly then went on to Seminary at Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth and was ordained a Deacon in 2007. Beverly feels very blessed to be able to serve her home church as Associate Pastor. Beverly enjoys reading, sewing, doing Sudoku and most especially spending time with her family whenever possible.

Communication Minister

Rachel went to college at the University of New Mexico, and graduated with a degree in Family Studies. After college, not wanting to have to pay bills and get a real job. Rachel moved to Fort Worth as a US-2 Missionary in 1998, and served two years at the United Community Centers. After her two years of service, Rachel began working at a Domestic Violence Shelter in Arlington. While working as a Child Advocate, Rachel felt a call to ministry and began attending Brite Divinity. Rachel was ordained a Deacon in 2007. In 2003 Rachel took a position with the Central Texas Conference, as the Director of Central Texas Conference Youth in Mission. While serving with CTCYM Rachel met Steve. They were married in 2007. Rachel then took an appointment at Austin Avenue United Methodist Church, in Waco. Steve and Rachel have two children together, Eliza (6) and Liam (4). Rachel began serving at Euless First UMC in January 2013. Rachel enjoys creative outlets like cooking, sewing, decorating, painting. She also enjoys family fun, travel, and Pinterest.

Director of Youth Ministry

Director of Music Ministries

Mark Baker has served as music educator for the past 33 years, teaching students on the elementary, middle school, and high school level. He is in his 11th year as Head Choral Director at Denton High School and serves as Fine Arts Department Chair. Mark received his B. S. in Music Education from Indiana Wesleyan University and his M. A. in Music Education from Texas Woman's University. Mark currently serves TMEA as Region 2 President. He has served in a number of other leadership positions in TMEA, including High School Region Chair in Region 2 and Middle School Region Chair in Regions 5 and 24. Two of the terms in which he served as Region Chair were when new regions were being formed and he provided leadership in melding different regions’ policies into a new Region Handbook. Mark has served as a clinician for All-Region Choirs throughout the state. He also served as the TMEA All-State Men’s Choir Section Leader in 2008. During his thirty plus years of teaching, Mark has been the recipient of numerous awards, including being named Teacher of the Year for Denton ISD in 1996. He has been named in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers on numerous occasions and was presented the prestigious CARE award by the Greater Denton Arts Council in 1997 for promoting arts in the community. Mark has served as a church choral director for the past 42 years in various states, including Michigan, Kansas, Indiana, Maryland, West Virginia, and most recently in Texas. He has directed children, youth, collegiate, adult, and senior adult church choirs. Mark took a year sabbatical from college to tour the United States with New Hope, a contemporary Christian music ensemble. His father served as a Free Methodist minister in the East Michigan Conference for 42 years. Mark is married to Vicki Baker, and loves his dogs.

Organist

Dr. Vicki D. Baker is Associate Professor of Music and Coordinator of Music Education at Texas Women’s University. She teaches both undergraduate and graduate music education courses and supervises student teachers. Prior to her appointment to TWU, she taught at The University of Texas at Arlington. Her dissertation topic was The Role of Administrators in the Attrition and Retention of Early Career Secondary Choral Music Educators. Prior to entering higher education, Dr. Baker taught elementary and secondary choral music in public schools for 13 years, receiving numerous teaching awards including three citations in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, and being named Most Influential Educator and Teacher of the Year for her school district. Her publications include research articles in the Journal of Music Teacher Education, Journal of Historical Research in Music Education, Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, ChorTeach, Texas Music Education Research, Southwestern Musician, and Texas Sings. She currently serves on the editorial board of Update: Applications of Research in Music Education. Her research topics include retention of music educators, effect of legislation on music education, and pre-service music teacher training. She regularly presents her research at state and national conferences. Dr. Baker serves as a clinician and adjudicator for choirs throughout the state of Texas and conducts staff development for music educators. Vicki’s music ministry began at the age of ten, when she became the church pianist. When she was 12 years old, her church bought an organ and she became the church organist. She directed the church choir when she was in high school. As an adult, she has held a variety of positions in churches, including music minister, choral director, pianist, organist, children’s choir coordinator, music and drama director, pastor’s secretary, and Bible study leader. She has also composed a number of sacred choral works. Vicki is married to Mark Baker, and together lead the music ministry at Euless First United Methodist Church. Vicki is the mother of one son, and several beautiful dogs.

Director of Children's Ministry

Administrative Assistant

Sally Rhymer is an active United Methodist at her home church, Smithfield UMC in North Richland Hills. She has been very happily married to her best friend John for over 20 years and together they have 3 children – Jacob, Joshua, and Molly. Sally’s family have lived in Texas since 2000, and they love it! She is half in love with Hugh Jackman and really digs American Idol. Sally owns 23 pairs of flip flops and treats her dogs like people. Sally is kind of a big deal…

Preschool Director

Linda has been the Preschool Director since 2005. She was born in Michigan and received her BS in Education from Central Michigan University. Following graduation she relocated to Coral Springs, FL and taught first and second grade. She attended Coral Springs United Methodist Church where she met her husband, Dave, singing in church choir. While in Florida, Linda earned her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. Shortly after Linda and Dave started dating, Dave was transferred to Texas and after an 18 month long distance relationship they got married and Linda relocated to Texas. They settled in Euless and Linda taught PK, Kindergarten and first grade at Spring Garden Elementary in Bedford. After short stints in Indiana and New Jersey Linda and Dave returned to Texas in 2005 and continued there active membership at Euless FUMC. Linda and Dave have three children: Katie, who is attending Perkins School of Theology; Kyle, who attending Oklahoma State University, and Emily who is at A&M.

Financial Secretary