Our Pastors
Pastor James Byrd
Senior Pastor
Pastor J has been married to his lovely wife Dr. Angel Byrd and partner in ministry for over 26 years and currently reside in Overland Park, KS. Together they are proud parents of three beautiful children; Teairra Byrd, Joy Byrd, and James Byrd II. Pastor J holds a doctorate degree from Faith Bible College of Independence, MO, a local extension of Oral Roberts University. With over 18 years of experience, he and his wife have quickly become one of the nation’s most rare and sought-after faith-based marriage and family counseling duos. Together, they are the founders of the rapidly growing organization and private practice, Flourishing Marriages LLC. Pastor J is the Senior Pastor of a thriving ministry in the Greater Kansas city area, Flourishing Families Ministry. He truly possesses a passion for seeing men thrive and lead their families. Together in ministry he and his wife enjoy helping broken families mend, helping mended families heal, and helping healed families flourish. His teaching style brings the word of God to life in a practical way that is lead by the Holy Spirit which in turn allows each person to apply, adjust and change life habits for the betterment of their relationship with God. As the author of Flawed “Marriage God’s way is Flawless Marriage man’s way is Flawed” and Co-Author of Triple O “One on One Real Talk a Self-Guided Marriage Counseling Manual” these books highlight his gift of dissecting principles for simple everyday understanding and application. Pastor J is committed to equipping God’s people by any means necessary.
Dr. Angel Byrd
Senior Executive Pastor
Dr. Angel Byrd, PHD is widely sought-after speaker throughout the United States on the topics of Holistic Nutrition, Marriage and the Family and healthy relationships. She completed her Bachelor’s and Master’s studies in Holistic Nutrition at Clayton University of natural health . She then continued and earned her Doctorate as a marriage family therapist. Dr. Byrd is a motivational speaker who inspires women, men and children to see themselves and their circumstances with a clear view. With her extensive professional background as a Marriage and Family counselor she has the ability to provide proven solutions that truly transforms individuals and their situations for the better. Not to mention her strong ability of educating others on how to have healthy practical relationships. As an expert Dr. Byrd has established herself as a premier Marriage and Family counselor in her field. In her practice she utilizes real-life exercise that allows individuals to get to the root cause of their challenge. She uses her skilled training in a unique way that allows others to fulfill their purpose and become an active part in their families and communities.
Our Leadership Team
Michael
Magee
Equip Pastor / Executive Director of FFM Tech
Tammicole
Benefield
Executive Operations Director
Dacia
Magee
Children's Pastor
Isiah
Cole
Men's Pastor
Lashiya
Mckinzy
Worship Pastor
Joy
Byrd
Executive Assistant Pastor
Apostolic Elder
PASTOR GAYLAND LAWSHE
Gateway Church Executive Senior Pastor
With a master’s degree in banking from Southern Methodist University, Gayland Lawshe spent 38 years in the banking business and was president of two of the largest Tarrant County–based community banks. He currently serves as an elder and executive senior pastor of Gateway Church where he oversees administration and operations.
He grew up in the Baptist church and was baptized at the age of seven, but he never fully surrendered his life to the Lord until September 27, 1973, when he and his wife, Susan, were going through a marital crisis. They have been married since 1969 and have two married sons and eight grandchildren, including two by adoption.
Trans Local Elders
PASTOR CLEOTIS COBBINS, II
Senior Pastor and Founder of Life Changers Christian Center.
Cleotis has been an ordained minister of the Gospel for over 20 years and Senior Pastor for nearly 13 years.
Cleotis Cobbins, affectionately known as Pastor Otis has faithfully served with humility and passion for the well being of God’s people. Pastor Otis strongly believes in family structure and the moral fiber of the family. He believes that men should accept their roles as leaders within their families, communities and churches, thereby challenging men to resist evil and take their rightful place in the Kingdom of God. God has given Pastor Otis the vision to implement holistic programs and ministries that minister to the “total man.”
Pastor Otis founded “12 Strong”, a men’s ministry which focuses on the character and spiritual growth of men. He also founded M.I.T (Men In Training), a mentoring program for young men ages 12-18. Pastor Otis is currently a Life Coach, Facilitator and is certified through the National Center of Fathering and is a Master Trainer with National Partnership for Community Leadership which includes the following curriculums: Responsible Fatherhood, Young Mothers & Parenting, and Relationship Skills for Strong Families. He is also certified in Marriage & Family Facilitation.
Pastor Otis along with his wife also founded “Love Being Married’, a ministry designed to enhance and build strong marriages.
Pastor Otis has been happily married over 30 years to his lovely wife Pam. They have three young adult children; Dominique, Cleotis II (Whitney) and his baby girl Chrissy. He also has four beautiful granddaughters, Kya, Skylaur, Journee and Jaleigh; and two grandsons, Jordan and Coby.
PASTOR MONDOE DAVIS
Gateway North Fort Worth Campus Pastor
Overseeing the North Fort Worth Campus is an incredible honor and privilege for Pastor Mondoe Davis. He serves alongside an amazing team and desires to help them spread their wings and fly with the vision God has placed in their hearts. Mondoe is passionate about helping people discover their purpose and fulfill their God-given destiny. He believes the world would be a better place if everyone found their God-ordained place and ran their race.
When Mondoe was 16 years old, he attended a youth Bible study in Newport News, Virginia, where his eyes were opened and he acknowledged his desperate need for a Savior. He also realized God had a plan for his life.
Mondoe was a professional football player and a health and wellness manager and consultant before entering into full-time ministry. He holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a master’s degree in public administration, with a concentration in urban affairs and public policy, from the University of Delaware. He graduated from Rhema Bible College after completing coursework in pastoral studies.
Pastor Mondoe and his lovely wife, Lisa, have been married since May 14, 2006, and they have ten amazing kids.
PASTOR DAVID BONNET
Executive Pastor for The Life Church
Pastor Bonnet believes the Church doesn’t have a mission but rather the Mission of God has a church at its disposal. He also believes that God has given every church every good and necessary spiritual gift and hidden those gifts in believers called to serve that church.
At 19, Pastor Bonnet accepted the grace and forgiveness offered in Jesus Christ in a college lecture hall when the professor said “there is no sin so great that it cannot be forgiven by one drop of Jesus’ blood.”
Pastor Bonnet has served for two years as the Senior Executive Pastor for The Life Church, a multi-site church in Texas where he also oversees the mission endeavors of the church. He previously served as senior pastor of two churches in addition to serving other churches as executive pastor, associate pastor, and youth pastor. He served two years as a missionary in West Africa, overseeing an international NGO. He worked as an energy conservation consultant and prior to ministry was a logistician for a defense contractor and an inventory/budget analyst for the US Air Force.
Pastor David holds a Bachelor’s degree from Ambassador University and Master of Divinity from Baylor University’s Truett Seminary. David and his wife Goodness have five grown children and live near Dallas, TX.