Hope Elders

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our elders

Wisdom and unity, leadership and humility – the elders of Bethel strive to lead and serve with love.  Our Shepherding Elders care for the ongoing and emergent needs of the body. Our Trustee Elders prayerfully set the vision of the church and oversee its governance. Bethel believes aspiring to this office is a noble task (1 Timothy 3) and involve the body in the vetting and election of this group each year.

Edward Farina

Hope Elder

Edward was born in Caracas-Venezuela and came to Tyler, 14 years ago. Edward works as a lab manager at the College of Engineering at UT Tyler and he really enjoys what he does. Edward has been married for 29 years and has two grown children and two grandchildren. They are grateful that God has brought them to Tyler, a place they call “a little piece of heaven”, where they have the opportunity to find peace and a new home. They love being members at Bethel Hope and love what they are learning, the love of the congregation, and the commitment to serve others in the community. Edward loves God, family, friends, serving others, nature, music, and art. Edward and his wife have served together by enriching other couples through a “Marriage Program” and also has volunteered in several non-profit organizations in East Texas.

Warren Abrameit

Hope Elder

Warren and his wife Ann began attending Bethel in 2009. They have 3 adult children, Megan, Lauren and Matthew. Warren has had the honor of serving as an Elder during Bethel’s expansion to multiple campuses. Warren and Ann have been able to participate in marriage ministries in the Middle East and have enjoyed continuing to support small group marriage ministry there. Over the last few years, they have been on a more contemplative spiritual journey with an interest in spiritual retreats. They are hoping to develop more mentoring relationships in the future for marriage and personal spiritual growth. Warren and Ann have the great pleasure of attending Bethel Hope campus since it began, which they acknowledge has helped them in understanding the beauty of Christian church family.

Samuel Hudson

Hope Elder

Samuel and his wife Candace have been married for over 30 years. Born and raised in Mississippi, they uprooted to Texas and had three beautiful children. They also are the proud grandparents of one. Unity, multi-culturalism, diversity, and a passion for Christ’s mission to the nation were a few key factors that led their hearts to Bethel Hope. In 2019, by divine guidance, Samuel and Candace became official members of Bethel Hope. Candace is a Registered Nurse, author, and poet for Christ. She is a member of Bible Study Fellowship and loves teaching the word of God to children. Before attending Bethel, he served as a deacon for over 25 years, he was the chairman on the deacon board, and was a Praise and Worship leader for many years. Samuel served in the US Army as a Commission Officer and now currently works for the United States Postal Service. He is also a diehard Raiders fan! Samuel and Candace are excited about the purpose and vision at Bethel Hope and look forward to being a part of the leadership team.

Jerry Putman

Hope Elder

Jerry has attended Bethel Bible Church since 1988. He went to medical school at The University of Texas Medical School in Galveston and did his training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Baylor Medical Center in Houston. Jerry recently retired from practicing for over 30 years. He and his wife Marty lived in Sierra Leone, West Africa from 2004 to 2008 as medical missionaries. He continued to do surgeries for several weeks per year in several African countries until 2018, serving as the Women’s Health Consultant for Mercy Ships from 2014 through 2018. Jerry completed his MA/BS from Dallas Theological Seminary in 2017 and was ordained by Bethel Bible Church that year. The following year he completed a one-year chaplaincy training program at Christus Trinity Mother Frances Hospital. Marty and Jerry have three married children. 

Rick Rogers

Hope Elder

Rick met Jesus at a young age and accepted Him as savior between six and 16 years of age (happy to explain, just ask). He and his wife Jane have been married for 40+ mostly wonderful years. They moved to Tyler from training in Dallas and after working in a hospital in Benin, W Africa. They have five great kids, a daughter-in-law and son-in-law, and two amazing grandsons. Their family is scattered all over the place. Rick and Jane have been members of Bethel since 1984, but have moved north to Bethel Hope, where they believe God has called them. They love traveling and hiking. Rick is a pediatrician; Jane is a retired nurse/homemaker. They are both involved in missions: Living Alternatives, Young Life Africa and Mentoring Alliance. They love the fellowship at Hope and are thankful to be a part of this body. Rick has served as an elder at Bethel South and is thankful to be serving again as a Shepherding Elder at Bethel Hope.

Ricky Garner

Campus Pastor / Elder

I was born and raised in Tyler, TX and I am a U. S. Air Force veteran. Prior to returning home in 2014 after living in the DFW area for over 25 years, I served as Senior Pastor at Unity Baptist Church in Fort Worth for nine years. Upon returning home I served as Assistant Pastor at New Days Community Church in Tyler and Lead Pastor at Hope Church Tyler. I have served on several boards in the community including Young Life Tyler and The Mentoring Alliance. Currently I serve on The Texas African American Museum Advisory Board and The Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce Board. I am a graduate of Texas College with a BA in Religion, I hold a Certificate in Biblical Studies from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, and a Masters in Biblical and Theological Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary. I have been married to my beautiful wife, Jane, for over 37 years and we have four children.