Larry and Rosana Goodwin
Pastor and FounderPastor Larry & Rosana Goodwin have been involved in ministry since 1990. They have pastored several churches since 1992 and have been in Grayson County since 1998. Larry & Rosana have four children; a son and daughter-in-law , Chaz and Erika, & a daughter and son-in-law, Gabriela & Erik. They also have 4 precious grandbabies named Asher, Oakley, Avereigh and Harper.
Gabbi Haraldsen
Administrative AssistantDaughter of Pastor Larry and Rosana Goodwin, she has been part of the The Refuge since its founding. Over the years, she has served in many areas of ministry. She has been a member of the worship team since the age of 15. In 2011, she became the lovely wife of Erik Haraldsen and they welcomed their son Asher in 2014 and their daughter Oakley in 2017.
Leland and Barb Samuelson
Pastoral Care Directors & Worship LeadersLeland & Barb have lived, worked and served in Grayson County for over 30 years. Married in 1979, they raised two children who have now started their own families. In 2017, they discovered the joys of grandparenting! They enjoy patio dining, road trips, beaches and mountains.
Together they have held diverse positions in area churches. In 2016, Leland & Barb reconnected with Pastors Larry & Rosana in what was thought to be a temporary assignment. As often happens, the Lord began making subtle adjustments to their plans. After only a few months, it became apparent that they were home.
“It is our belief that The Refuge is poised for spectacular ‘kingdom’ exploits, and we are excited to be part of the team”
Atuhaire Gavin
creative arts pastorAtuhaire Gavin comes to us from the beautiful nation of Uganda.
It was on a missions journey that Pastor Larry & Rosana first met Gavin (as he is affectionately known to all of us) as he was leading and assisting at Jesus Worship Center in Nateete Kampala, Uganda.
Gavin is married to Vivian Nassali and have two beautiful girls Rovin and Essence Atuhaire Musiimentah. He is a founder and leader of Kyuka Ministries inc. ( https://www.kyukaministries.org/ ) that goes into the villages and inner city areas surrounding Kampala, teaching and instructing children and youth through art and dance. His creative anointing has touched many lives in Uganda, Germany, The United Kingdom, Ireland, Sweden and the United States.
We are blessed to have Gavin as our creative arts pastor at The Refuge, while he is in the U.S. on a missionary visa.
It is our desire to see all of his talents and abilities used to make the name of God famous in our.church and community.
Abbey Wright
Sunday school lead teacherAbbey has been involved in children’s ministries in North Texas since 2014. She married Weldon Wright in October 2021 and has been living in Denison since. Abbey works full-time as Production Manager at Something Pretty Floral in Dallas and enjoys spending her spare time with her family and four cats at home. She is also currently enrolled at Texas Woman’s University pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Abbey definitely has a heart for kids and guiding them towards a relationship with Christ, and is excited to share that passion through The Refuge Children’s ministry.
Eddie and Cindy De la Cruz
Pastor of El Refugio ChurchEddie’s experience spans multiple roles within the ministry, including Youth Pastor, Associate Pastor, and Small Groups Pastor, serving in ministry dating back to the year 2000. Currently serving as Pastor of El Refugio Church
The De la Cruz family lives in Denison, TX and has two children, Nona and Yoltzin, and a son-in-law named Paul.
Eddie’s favorite Bible verse is Ezekiel 36:24-27, emphasizing God’s great transformative power in renewing and purifying our hearts through His grace. Eddie and Cindy carry this message with them as they provide guidance and service to others on their spiritual journeys.
Español:
Eddie y Cindy De la Cruz.
La experiencia de Eddie abarca múltiples roles en el ministerio, incluyendo Pastor de Jóvenes, Pastor Asociado y Pastor de Grupos Pequeños, sirviendo en el ministerio desde el año 2000. Actualmente, ejercen como pastores de la Iglesia El Refugio.
La familia De la Cruz reside en Denison, TX, y tienen dos hijos, Nona y Yoltzin, así como un yerno llamado Paul.
El versículo bíblico favorito de Eddie es Ezequiel 36:24-27, enfatizando el grandioso poder transformador de Dios al renovar y purificar nuestros corazones a través de su gracia. Eduardo y Cindy llevan este mensaje consigo mientras brindan orientación y servicio a otros en sus caminos espirituales.
Jake Mathenia
Worship Leader
Jimmy and Sarah Hackney
Youth Ministry Co-leadersJimmy & Sarah have been married since February 9th, 2022. However, they have been close friends since high school and life brought them into each other’s lives. Between the two, they have a total of seven children. They are all in high school and beyond except for Everly. You will see her running around trying to negotiate an extra lollipop from the welcome desk. They have lived, worked, and served in North Texas and Southern Oklahoma for nearly their whole lives.
Jimmy has served in Youth Ministry in both Bryan and Grayson County. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Leadership and Ministry from Grace Christian College in Grand Rapids, MI. He has been a missionary in Haiti, which he holds near and dear to his heart. He is also a local artist who shows at the 517 Gallery in downtown Denison and a member of the Denison Arts Council.
Sarah serves as secretary for MMIW Chahta which helps locate missing Indigenous people and bring awareness to this crisis. She is an animal advocate, fostering pets, and nursing them back to health. If she could, she would take in any and all abandoned animals to give them the best care possible.
Together, they both have a heart for today’s youth and understand the need to have positive role models. Their mission is to help others see the grace and light that was shown to them. They are so excited and blessed to be adopted into the Refuge Family.
Roy & Madison Butler
Youth Ministry Co-leadersRoy and Madison Butler joined The Refuge in early 2023 after a long journey with the effects of living a life not led by God. Madison grew up attending church, while Roy did not find his faith until 2023. Since then, their lives have improved leaps and bounds!
The two married in July of 2021 and live in the small town of Whitewright. They spend their days working full-time and raising 5 young kids, who you may see running around The Refuge from time to time!
Roy and Madison were called to leadership roles at the beginning of 2024 and now serve as part of the leadership team for the youth of The Refuge. After many prayers, self doubts, and hesitation, they accepted the challenge. The experience has been nothing but the best for the two of them since taking the leap!
They quickly realized they could be a light to children who may be struggling with the same difficult circumstances they were faced with. It didn’t take the two long to realize they have found their passion. The couple hopes to continue to lead the youth at The Refuge with full hearts and an open mind while looking forward to what their futures in leadership and ministry have in store.