Austin City Life
LEADERSHIP
Elders and Deacons
Austin City Life is led by biblically qualified elders, staff, and deacons. As a new church, we are in the process of cultivating all types of leaders with the goal of being led by a plurality of elders. Currently, we are led by a Leadership Team that is held accountable by an independent Advisory Board.Staff Team
Jonathan Dodson, Lead Pastor
Pastor Jonathan serves the church as Lead Pastor by providing leadership in Vision, Teaching, and Pastoral Care. His responsibilities include but are not limited to: Prayer, Preaching, Teaching, Counseling, Writing, and Leadership Development. Jonathan is married to Robie and father to Owen and Ellie. He graduated from college with a B.A. in Anthropology and earned two masters degrees at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, one in Divinity (M.Div) and another in Biblical Theology (Th.M).Among other things, he enjoys smoking his pipe, chewing on a good piece of theology, and listening to M. Ward. Contact Jonathan by email.
Jay comes to Austin City Life with ten years experience in the local church. He recently completed a church planting residency with Fellowship Associates before joining ACL and is passionate about church planting. He serves ACL by assisting with leadership development, church systems, teaching and preaching, and other pastoral responsibilities. Jay grew up in the midwest and started following Jesus at the University of Iowa. Since college he has desired to lead the local church in a culturally progressive, educated, and creative city. Jay graduated from Dallas Theological seminary in 2004 and married Angela in 2001. Together they have two girls, Elle (6) and Anna (4). Jay enjoys exploring how the church can reflect the gospel in culture, playing with his kids, reading, any kind of water activity, drinking great coffee, creative entrepreneurship and watching college football.
Nate Navarro, Director of Missional Community
Nate serves as the Director of Missional Community by providing leadership in the areas of Community and Mission. His responsibilities include but are not limited to: City Groups, Community Events, and Local Mission.
Nate is husband to Melissa, step-dad to Jessica, and dad to Ava and Betsy Grace. He also serves as co-director of Austin non-profit Music For The City.
Among other things Nate writes songs, plays an occasional show with his band The Romeria Lights, and enjoys Texas Longhorn and Washington Husky football.
Kristin Vasquez is the Director of Operations for Austin City Life. In 2008, she and her husband Nate packed up and moved to Austin from Orange County, CA to be closer to family, enjoy living in a different culture, and of course, to be citizens of the live music capital of the world! With 6 years experience in HR and organizational development, Kristin served as the HR Director at ROCKHARBOR Church in Costa Mesa, CA. Kristin loves road trips, Alamo Drafthouse date nights, and of course...her two adorable pugs. Contact Kristin by email.
Miranda Dodson, Director of Worship & Arts
Miranda Dodson (not Jonathan's wife) is our Worship & Arts Director. Miranda oversees all aspects of our Worship from Sunday morning gatherings, slides & Communion Meals to song selection and music leading. Miranda also oversees our Arts Project, engaging the arts in our Sunday gatherings as well as infusing worshipful arts in to our everyday lives. She aims to inspire and equip others to lead a doxological life in whatever they do, in the church, the home, or the city. Miranda is also a folk singer who enjoys writing & playing her music out in clubs and coffee shops. She has a new album "Change A Thing" coming out in the Spring 2010. Check out her MUSIC, follow her on Twitter & Facebook for more info. Miranda is married to Luke (Jonathan’s brother) together they love travel, the sun & reading PASTE Magazine.
Justin Hroch, Intern
