Rev. Dan Harrington, Lead Pastor
Pastor Dan came to Colonial Hills UMC in the summer of 2021 after serving 4 years as the senior pastor at Gruene UMC. Pastor Dan has been in ministry since 2005, when he served as youth director at FUMC in Sequin while attending Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Since his ordination, he has served at UMCs in Buda, Manchaca, San Saba, and in San Antonio at Northern Hills.
Dan’s path to ministry goes like this: He grew up in Winston Salem, North Carolina, graduated from Appalachian State University in 1997 and then “chased the dream of being a singer- songwriter all the way to Austin, Texas.” In the spring of 2005, a musician friend sponsored Dan on a Walk to Emmaus retreat. Although Dan had grown up in the church and watched his grandfather serve as a UM pastor, “the retreat really rekindled a fire in my heart and reconnected me to my roots,” he said. “I found myself by a river praying, ‘Here I am Lord! What do you want me to do?” Within a few weeks, he was offered the chance to serve as Director of Youth Ministries at FUMC in Seguin. He was about to start the job when he met his future wife, Maria, at a coffee shop in San Marcos. That fall he entered seminary and married Maria in January 2007.
Pastor Dan and Maria, are raising three children: Lyla, Jonah and Jesse (and not to be forgotten, their Maltipoo, Ringo).
Email: dan@chumc.org
Rev. Germaine Mathis, Associate Pastor
Rev. Germaine Mathis is a New Orleans native; the third daughter of Ethel and the late Maxwell Tropez; a sister of twins; a mother of two adult children, Lanston and Alaina; and the wife of Lawrence Mathis. She is a graduate of Louisiana State University in New Orleans with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. Germaine worked thirty years as a Registered Nurse, predominantly in home care, starting as a field nurse and then promoted to Nurse Supervisor, progressing to Director of Performance Improvement. Rev. Mathis began Seminary while still employed as Director of the Home Health Agency. She graduated from the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia, with honors and a Master of Divinity. Following commissioning in the Louisiana Annual Conference, Germaine was appointed to her home church, Cornerstone United Methodist in New Orleans.
Germaine and her husband, Lawrence, traveled to San Antonio because of the mandatory evacuation due to Hurricane Katrina. She was then appointed to extension ministries at Windcrest United Methodist Church, subsequently serving there with 4 other pastors for 3 years. In 2009, Germaine was appointed to Ernest T. Dixon United Methodist Church, from where she retired 9 years later in December of 2017. Rev. Germaine states, “God is doing a new thing in my life and has opened the doors of Colonial Hills UMC and I am boldly walking in. It will be my honor to be in ministry with Pastor Dan, the staff and members of CHUMC.” Email: germaine@chumc.org
Matt Evans, Director of Music and Worship
A Central Florida native, Matt began the study of guitar shortly after his fifth birthday and performed his first solo concert at the age of ten. A Stetson University alumni, Matt completed his bachelor's degree under the tutelage of internationally respected guitarist Dr. Stephen Robinson. Matt has had the honor of studying with Cuba's Manuel Barrueco, William Kanengiser of the grammy winning LAGQ, and GFA winner Johannes Möller. As a pedagogue, Matt began teaching professionally at the age of sixteen as the youngest teacher ever serving on the faculty at Stetson University’s Community School of the Arts. A COLFA award winner for his research in music pedagogy, Matt recently completed his Master's of Music at the University of Texas at San Antonio under the direction of Dr. Matthew Dunne. Mr. Evans currently serves as the as the Director of Music at Colonial Hills United Methodist Church in San Antonio, Tx. as well as theExecutive Director of the Hill Country Youth Orchestra in Kerrville, Tx. Email: matt@chumc.org
Jason Chandler, Director of Family Ministries
Jason has called Colonial Hills UMC church home since 2015. According to Jason, “the welcoming feeling my family and I experienced when we first came here was all it took. We knew literally the first second that this was our church and where we wanted our children to learn about God.” Jason and his wife, Stephanie, have been married since 2005. They have 2 beautiful daughters, Ava and Emma, who keep them on their toes constantly. Jason has many hobbies, including games of all sorts, fishing, sports, reading, and really enjoys woodworking. Jason calls his family his joy, and the church his passion. In the summer of 2022, Jason was called to fill the role of Director of Family Ministries and has loved every minute since, filling the office with smiles and laughter. Regarding his goals for the children of CHUMC, he says “my goal is to provide a fun and safe environment where kids can learn about God and develop relationships with their elders so that as they grow in faith, they know who to turn to and trust
Email: jason@chumc.org
Isabella Lopez, Director of Youth Ministries
Isabella has loved youth ministry since the moment she began participating during her teen years. When she was 15, she attended a Mid-Winter Youth Retreat at Mt. Wesley and felt God calling her to make youth ministry a part of her life's work. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies with an Emphasis in Youth Ministry through Grand Canyon University. When asked about her opportunity to serve as Youth Director for CHUMC, Isabella responded by saying: "I am looking forward to expanding the relationships I have created with the students over the past few years, as well as creating new relationships with future youth and adult leaders. "
Email: isabella@chumc.org
Chris Stowe, Office Administrator
Chris manages the CHUMC office and is available for all questions regarding office related concerns (please contact the appropriate staff members for bookkeeping or building concerns). Chris was employed as a substitute teacher in all grades levels for various public school districts in Texas and Okla. while raising her boys. She has previous experience working at First UMC in Sinton, TX and also at East Sedalia Baptist Church in Sedalia, MO, in office management. Her most recent employment was as an office manager for an engineering company simultaneously with the Jim Wells County surveyor's office, figuring out legal descriptions and working with the county commissioners on road paving projects. Chris and her husband, John married in 1985 and have raised three boys: Matt (married to Heather), and Mike, all living in Oklahoma, and Christopher, living here in San Antonio. Her dream job is working for a church, and she is very thankful and happy to be a part of the CHUMC family!
Email: chris@chumc.org
Gus Lopez, Facilities Coordinator
Gus Lopez was born and raised in San Antonio. He and his wife Irene have been married for over twenty years, and are parents to their beautiful daughter, Isabella. Gus has been an active member of Colonial Hills UMC for over 15 years, volunteering with various committees such as the Youth Council, the Outreach team, Board of Trustees, and in the AV booth on Sunday mornings. Professionally, Gus has worn many hats including computer operations with Frost Bank, data entry and analysis with SWRI on Johnston Island, and as an AVP with Wells Fargo. For the last 7 years, Gus has run two successful companies: a carpet and air duct cleaning franchise, and an independent dryer vent cleaning service. With all this experience, especially serving and leading the Board of Trustees, the natural progression has led Gus to take on the role of Facilities Coordinator for Colonial Hills UMC, a blessing for which he is grateful. Email: gus@chumc.org
MaryJane Harrison, Receptionist / Volunteer Coordinator
MaryJane and husband Charles began visiting CHUMC in 2015 and quickly felt the call to make this their home church. She has a passion for service and has been a volunteer for several church functions over the years, including Family Fiesta and VBS, as well as serving as the lead in our Annual Blood & Plasma Drive, a project very dear to her. She worked many years as a dispatch manager for a large printing company before leaving employment to care for her aging parents, who have since passed. MaryJane and Charles have 3 adult children and are the very proud grandparents of Ian, David, and Robyn. MaryJane says Grandma was the role she was born for and has a close bond with her grandchildren. Email: maryjane@chumc.org
Linda Cortez, Wesley Nurse
Linda comes to us as a part of the Methodist Healthcare Ministries. She provides a wide range of community resources to the San Antonio underserved population. Her office is located at Colonial Hills UMC; however, she can mainly be found out in the community, teaching parenting classes, providing assistance at area food pantries, and serving in all aspects of community health in several areas of the city. Her work cell is 210.541.2358 and she may also be reached at
Email: hcortez@mhm.org
Brandi Carnes, Bookkeeper
My name is Brandi and I have been married to my husband Casey for 13 years. We have 2 children, a daughter and a son. I love working with numbers and children. I am excited to join the CHUMC team! I am in the office on Mondays during office hours. Should you need assistance at other times, please email me directly and I'm happy to help! Email: brandi@chumc.org