We are in the process of calling a new pastor to Emmanuel, and this process takes at least a year. Meanwhile, Rev. Dr. Whitney Wilkinson Arreche is our Transitional Pastor. Right now the Pastor Nominating Committee is evaluating applicants for the position. See this page to see how the process works.

Reverend Dr. Whitney Wilkinson Arreche

Rev. Dr. Whitney Wilkinson Arreche began as our Transitional Pastor in March of 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 Covening 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. You can learn more about Whitney at whitneywilkinsonarreche.com .

Contact Rev. Wilkinson Arreche

We are currently searching for a new music director.

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. She is 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. 
 
Jessica is in the church office 8 am to 12 pm Monday through Wednesday.


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 through Thursday, from 11:00am – 2:30pm.