Our Leadership

Larry and Rosana Goodwin

Larry and Rosana Goodwin

Pastor and Founder

Pastor 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

Gabbi Haraldsen

Administrative Assistant

Daughter 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

Leland and Barb Samuelson

Pastoral Care Directors & Worship Leaders

Leland & 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

Atuhaire Gavin

creative arts pastor

Atuhaire 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.

Jarrell and Kaliegh ORR

Jarrell and Kaliegh ORR

Youth Pastors
A passionate couple with a zeal to worship and serve at The Refuge. Jarrell and Kaleigh were married on May 21, 2022. Together they share four children: Isaiah, Aliyah, Joziah, and Keylin. In their spare time, they love to be outdoors and take any chance to spend their free time together as a family. It’s evident that both of them have a heart for our youth and are excited for the future at The Refuge while in this role.
Abbey Wright

Abbey Wright

Sunday school lead teacher

Abbey 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

Eddie and Cindy De la Cruz

Pastor of El Refugio Church

Eddie’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.