Our Teaching Team
Meet our Teaching Team
Ken Werlein
Founding PastorKen Werlein is founding pastor of Faithbridge and a graduate of Vanderbilt University and Asbury Theological Seminary. In 1998, the Lord called Ken to plant a church in Northwest Houston with the mission to make more and stronger disciples of Jesus Christ.
Ken prioritizes family time with his wife, Suzanne, and their two sons, Wesley and William.
Steve Carter
Bible TeacherSteve Carter is a pastor, speaker, author, podcast host, sports enthusiast, and the former lead teaching pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago.
Steve’s passion is to bring Jesus into everything he does. A gifted teacher, Steve spends his days crafting sermons, messages, blog posts, and books to encourage people in their walk with Christ. He describes his work as humbling and vulnerable—a soul-baring process that keeps him dependent, expectant, and grounded in Christ.
Steve lives in Chicago with his wife, Sarah, and their two kids.
Clay Scroggins
Bible TeacherClay Scroggins is the former lead pastor of Buckhead Church in Atlanta, Georgia, and is the author of How To Lead In A World Of Distraction and How to Lead When You’re Not In Charge. He has a master’s degree and a doctorate with an emphasis in online church from Dallas Theological Seminary, and lives in Atlanta with his wife, Jenny, and their five lively children, Lucy, Jake, Sally, Cooper, and Whit.
Jared Darby
Bible TeacherA Houston native, Jared was born and went to high school in Missouri City, Texas. He currently serves as the Senior Leader of Eden Church Houston (a church plant coming Fall ’24).
His drive and commitment to serving the local church is superseded only by his love for his family and the people he is fortunate enough to serve alongside. Jared is a passionate leader who has been serving the local church for the last 13 vears in a variety of positions. Whether it’s student ministry, campus launches, preaching the Gospel or serving the community, Jared’s heart is to reach people right where they are.
Lizi Bailey
Worship PastorLizi Bailey has led worship at Faithbridge for over 10 years, and serves full time as our Worship Pastor. A talented singer, songwriter, and recording artist, Lizi is passionate about seeing the body of Christ engage in creative, authentic worship of our King. Lizi loves nature, good conversation, and discovering what it means to become a fully alive human who knows her God.
Lizi and her husband, Matthew, have five children: Ezra, Silas, Lyric, Sunny, and Daisy.
Dan Slagle
Bible TeacherDan Slagle, a graduate of Asbury Theological Seminary, originates from Atlanta, GA. Dan served on Faithbridge staff full-time for 15 years as the Care and Bridging Pastor, and now dedicates his time and passions to equipping leaders overseas with International Leadership Institute.
Dan is particularly passionate about the local church and enjoys training pastors around the world. Outside of church Dan can be found running, painting, or reading something by or about JRR Tolkien. Dan and his better half, Becky, have four daughters–Georgia, Erika, Adeline, and Vivian.
Scot Pollok
Bible TeacherScot began serving God during his college years at Texas A&M University in student ministry. After graduating from college and seminary, Scot served as Teaching Pastor and would become the Lead Pastor of Faith Bible in The Woodlands. He and his wife Liza, have two children, Andrew and Isabel (Izzy).
Duffy Robbins
Bible TeacherDuffy Robbins, professor of youth ministry at Grove City College in PA, is a widely-respected leading voice in youth and family ministry and a bestselling author. Duffy is well known for his insights, inspiration and humor, both in the classroom and as he travels the world speaking to teenagers, youth leaders and parents of teens.
Duffy is a favorite returning speaker at Faithbridge.
Connie Beaver
Preschool DirectorConnie Beaver has been a part of the Faithbridge family for 15 years, and has been on staff with our Kids team for 8 years! As a Bible teacher, Christ follower, former educator, working mom, and Kids minister, Connie brings a vibrant spirit and breadth of wisdom to our church.
Connie loves reading, dancing, and raising her two kids with her husband, Blake.
Tyler Riley
Young Adults PastorTyler has grown in various roles at Faithbridge and currently serves as our Young Adults Pastor. Prior to Faithbridge, he served for five years as the Senior Program Director at Pine Cove’s Crier Creek Family Camp in Columbus, TX. Tyler arrived at Faithbridge in 2017 where he joined our Faithbridge Student Ministry team, and led FSM’s High School Ministry, Pointbreak.
He graduated in 2013 with a Communication Degree from East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, TX, and loves all things Houston sports, traveling, teaching, and making people laugh. Tyler married Madi in October of 2022, and together they have one cat named Jessica.
Michael McDowell
Bible TeacherMichael McDowell is a graduate of Rice University and Duke Divinity School. Michael grew up at Faithbridge and spent his three years in seminary working as a youth pastor at Sunrise UMC in Raleigh. He is currently in Washington, D.C. serving as the Pastoral Resident and Director of Operations at Kings Church, a church plant in Capitol Hill.
Michael is passionate about urban church planting and the interplay between church and culture. He is especially motivated to help young people experience the life-changing power of the Gospel. In his free time, Michael enjoys running, grilling, and reading.
Michael is the son of long-time Faithbridgers, Becca and David McDowell, and he is married to Elizabeth, the love of his life.
Hector Ramirez
Student Missions CoordinatorHector Ramirez is a Houston Baptist University graduate whom God called to ministry through the mission field. As a missionary, Hector is passionate about kingdom work through missions.
Hector, his wife Shelby, and their son Milo are part of our Faithbridge family.
Hannah Connor
Communications DirectorHannah Connor, a Bible-based preacher with a narrative-driven approach, connects with her audience through relatable storytelling and an engaging conversational style. Having worked for anti-human trafficking organizations in the US and abroad, she has devoted the majority of her career to the nonprofit sector. Hannah has a remarkable ability to unearth fresh insights from familiar stories, creating messages that are not only thought-provoking but also deeply impactful. She is happily married with two children.
Statement of Faith
Visit our Statement of Faith to learn about our convictions, persuasions, and opinions.
Want to chat about what we believe?
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