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Staff
Jim Stern
FounderKate Powell
Lead DisciplerJessica Gilbert
AdministratorBoard of Directors
Mark Collins
Dr. Luis Valdes
Kenny Waldt
Jawaan Ballard
Amy Harrington
John Lyons
Jim Stern
founded TREXO in 2013 as a result of God’s calling to co-labor with the Holy Spirit to awaken people, churches and ministries to Trinitarian LIFE. Jim gave his life to Jesus in 1996 and soon after the Father brought two men, David Glenn and Mark Collins, to walk beside Jim. They continue to disciple him to this day. Their love birthed a desire in Jim for every person to experience the love of being pursued and the precision of being trained in the kingdom.
Jim served in pastoral ministry for 25 years (from 1997 – 2020) including getting a Master’s Degree in Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2003 and being a pastor for 23 years including senior pastor for CORE Church Houston following serving with Pecan Grove Baptist, First Baptist Church Pearland, and Second Baptist Houston.
Jim is currently attends The Story Church. Jim also has a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management from Virginia Tech. Jim enjoys traveling with his wife Brooke or spending time with his two children Collin and Claire in their interests and hobbies such as fishing and baseball games.
Kate Powell
is TREXO’s Lead Discipler. She grew up in Sugar Land Texas. She went to Texas State University where she graduated with a BA in Communications and a minor in Business Administration. Upon graduating college in 2004, she worked at Valero Energy in San Antonio as a Marine Vessel Coordinator. Kate gave her life to Jesus in 2010 when she was 29 years old. Shortly after, Kate got invited to CORE Church. It was at CORE where she met Jim Stern. The Stern family has become family to the Powell family. Our Father brought a veteran in the Lord named Schon that discipled Kate and showed her how to follow Jesus. Kate did not grow up in the church and referred to God as the "God Blob." It was through Schon's intentional devotion to Kate where she fell in love with Jesus. Ever since then, Kate currently pursues other women through personal discipleship. Kate joined Trexo in 2023 to engage with Jim on the front lines in Leadership training with churches and ministries as well as personal discipleship. Kate currently attends Renaissance Church here she actively engages in personal discipleship with women. Kate has a husband named Joel and 2 children named Ella and Bear. Kate and Joel enjoy spending family time together. This includes riding bikes, hiking, swimming, and watching the kids play soccer!
Jessica Gilbert
is TREXO’s Administrator. She grew up in Pearland, Texas. She met Jim when she was in the youth ministry at First Baptist Church that he led. She received her Associate degree from San Jacinto College. She attended CORE Church and has been working with Jim administratively since 2019. Jessica is also the Director of Family Relief at Addi’s Faith Foundation. After walking the road of childhood cancer with her son, Jessica works to provide emotional, spiritual, and financial support for families on that same journey.
Jessica is married to Tony and they have a son, Alden, and daughter, Julia. As a family, they enjoy beach days and Astros games.
Mark Collins
has been discipling Jim for over 20 years. He has supported TREXO since joining the board of directors in 2013. Mark is a former bi-vocational pastor/lawyer. He handles all TREXO legal issues. He also supports TREXO training by serving as a backup trainer in delivery various TREXO offerings. He also helps to shape TREXO training material, especially in navigating ministry world language.
Mark is an active member of Antioch Houston where he currently serves on the Church Leadership Team.
Mark is married to Dottie and they have 3 married children: Haley, husband Jackson, two daughters, Ella and Gia; Luke, wife Lisa; and Hannah, husband Brian, and two daughters Collins and Sawyer.
Mark was born in Houston, spent some time in East Texas and Dallas, and moved back to Houston for high school and the rest of his life and career.
Dr. Luis Valdes
received a doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Houston in 1990. He has been the director of mental health services in the public and private sector in the Houston area for over 30 years. He specializes in services for children and families and system-wide integrated programming. He has international experience in program development and implementation of children’s mental health and educational services.
Dr. Valdes speaks into Trexo’s ongoing commitment to disciple, and build organizations to disciple, in a way that effects inner healing and transformation.
Kenny Waldt
was a leader and affiliate with Young Life in some form for over 40 years and was a deacon at West University Baptist Church, and served on the Houston Gathering of Men Advisory Board. Kenny helps TREXO stay focused on how the ministry impacts individuals, one at a time. He is a former insurance company owner and is currently attending Doxology Bible Church in Fort Worth, Texas. He earned his BBA at University of Texas – Austin and received his Certified Insurance Counselor designation from the National Alliance/Society of CIC.
Kenny is married to Neva and they have a son and daughter in law, Zach and Jayme, and a daughter, son in law and grandson, Taylor, Tyler, and Emmitt.
He enjoys travel and meeting with various men to counsel and disciple.
Jawaan Ballard
has been a YoungLife Area Director for 10 years. He lives on the frontlines of reaching students for Jesus at Bellaire, Lamar, St. Johns, Episcopal, and other schools. Jawaan is uniquely gifted to reach some of the hardest teens in Houston. He has a proven ability to develop relationships, build teams, fundraise, and make disciples.
He is a local Houstonian that graduated from Sam Houston State University. He's married to Kaitlyn and has three boys.
Life verse: Proverbs 3:5-6.
Amy Harrington
is a powerful Kingdom woman. She joined the Trexo board in 2025. Professionally, Amy is a trial lawyer having earned her JD from the University of Houston. She has served the Lord at all levels at her home church, Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church. She brings a high level of excellence and legal expertise to Trexo.
She is married to Clint, founder of FIND. She is a huge Texas A&M fan and loves supporting the Aggies with Clint and their kids.
John Lyons
served as a youth pastor for many years and has also served with Young Life in some form for over 24 years and is currently the committee chair for Prosper Young Life. John is an active member of his church where he volunteers and leads the Young Married's bible study. In his day job, John works with churches and non-profits with their insurance and risk management needs as well as overseeing a team of agents throughout Texas. He brings his knowledge of growth and risk management to the TREXO team. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston and is currently working on his Certified Insurance Counselor designation from the National Alliance/Society of CIC.
John has been married to Lindsey for 14 years and they have two incredible children, Ledger and Lennon.
He has a passion for discipleship and to lead men to walk daily with the Lord.
