Reverend Dr. Whitney Wilkinson Arreche
Rev. Dr. Whitney Wilkinson Arreche worked as our Transitional Pastor in March of 2023, and after a national search she was selected as our permanent pastor and started in that role in October 2023. Whitney received her Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University in 2003, her Master of Divinity degree from Columbia Theological Seminary in 2008, and her Doctor of Theology degree from Duke University in December of 2022. Her dissertation centered around questions of race, theology, money, and language of reconciliation.
Whitney has been an ordained Presbyterian minister for fourteen years, and an ordained ruling elder for twenty-four years. She has served as a solo pastor in rural North Carolina and as a mission associate in Belfast, Northern Ireland. She serves as the chairperson of the Presbyterian Church (USA) General Assembly Committee for Ecumenical and Interfaith Engagement (GACEIR), and on the Faith and Order Convening Table of the National Council of Churches.
Whitney has written for the Christian Century, Political Theology Network, and the Presbyterian Outlook. She was a contributing author to Liberating Church: A 21st Century Hush Harbor Manifesto, a book that celebrates the brave Christianity embodied by enslaved Africans in the United States during slavery. She is part of a cohort for the Fellowship for Protestant Ethics, a collaboration of pastors, scholars, and activists. She is a scholar, a writer, a seeker, and a teacher, but mostly, she is a pastor with a heart for deep connection, deep thinking, and deep care of all of God’s children. She lives in McKinney with her spouse Carlos and their dog, Otter. She finds joy in cooking, painting, barre classes, and drinking entirely too much coffee. She, like Emmanuel, is small but mighty.
Go here to find out more about why we chose Whitney as our pastor. You can learn more about Whitney at whitneywilkinsonarreche.com .
Contact Rev. Wilkinson Arreche
Brittney Axton, Music Director
Brittney Axton is a graduate of Baylor University where she earned her Bachelor of Music, church music with an emphasis in voice while ringing with Baylor Bronze and singing in various choirs. She began ringing bells at the age of 10 when she was handed a single bell to help fill in the melody line. She continued to play handbells at First United Methodist Church Claremore, Oklahoma where her love of handbells grew and flourished. While in college, she had the chance to attend College Ring-in, oversee three 12 bell ensembles at First Methodist Waco’s South Campus during COVID, and assist the full bell choir at First Methodist Waco. While at First United Methodist Church Claremore, she was invited to join the Chancel Choir at the age of 10. Her love of choir grew week after week as she was introduced to more music and fellowship with the choir members. Throughout her time with First United Methodist Claremore, she was asked to help lead the children’s music for Sunday School, assist with summer fine arts camps for children, and lead a church service on Thursdays. In college, Brittney assisted with nightly chapel for her dorm and helped organize monthly dorm wide worship services. She was also a member of Baylor Concert Choir, Bella Voce, and the Baylor a Capella choir. While attending First Methodist Waco South, she served as the worship leader for the traditional worship service. She recently rang with Chancel Bells at First Methodist Mansfield and subbed at various churches around Fort Worth. She currently rings with Concert Bells of Fort Worth, subs with various choirs around the Fort Worth area, and serves as the North Texas Representative on the Handbell Musicians of America Area 9 board. On top of her love of handbells, Brittney coaches gymnastics in Keller and serves as a substitute throughout Keller ISD while working to obtain her certification to teach music.
Tak Yan Yeung, Accompanist
Originally from Hong Kong, Tak Yan Yeung is a pianist based in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. He is currently an adjunct music faculty member at Tarrant County College, a private piano teacher, and an organist/accompanist at Emmanuel Presbyterian Church. He was a winner of top prizes in the Los Angeles International Liszt Competition, the Redlands Bowl Young Artists Competition, and the Music Teachers’ Association of California Competitions. Tak Yan completed a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance at Texas Christian University and is a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music of the Music Teachers National Association. See more about Tak Yan here.
Jessica Pereira, Office Administrator
Jessica Pereira holds a Masters in Business Administration (M.B.A.) prior to working for Multi-National Companies and Tarrant County College. With her hands-on approach and vast experience in the Administration and office managerial field, she performs her duties smoothly and efficiently. She is also dedicated, focused and creative. She is married and has two lovely kids. When not working, Jessica loves to travel, paint and do puzzles (her newly found hobby). She is artistic in nature and loves to meet people.
Her winning design, The Windmill Park, can be found on the utility box near North East Mall, Hurst on the corner of Melbourne Rd and Cheryl Ave. Do check it out!
Jessica is in the church office 8 am to 12 pm Monday through Wednesday.
Contact the Office Administrator
Becky Baker, Financial Administrator
Becky was born and raised in Fort Worth. She was raised by her grandparents and attended Ridglea Presbyterian Church in Fort Worth.
She and her late husband were married for 24 years and had 2 children together, adopted another and she gained 2 stepchildren when she married. Becky has 9 grandchildren and her favorite title is Nana! She is a self-taught artist and it continues to be the love and joy of her life. Becky formerly owned a business for 19 yrs and is now semi-retired and has a bookkeeping background while working at other companies. Becky is in the church office Monday and Tuesday 10-2, Wednesday 10-1.
