Staff Bios
Our Staff at HCLC
Senior Pastor
The Rev. Barbara L. Bartling
E-mail: PastorBarb@GoDeeperWithChrist.org
The Reverend Barbara L. Bartling was born in San Antonio, Texas on April 27, 1967. She graduated from Texas Lutheran University, Seguin, Texas with a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Theology in 1989 and from Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio, with a Masters of Divinity in 1993. After receiving her first call to parish ministry at House of Prayer Lutheran Church in Clear Lake City, Texas, Pastor Barb was ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in 1994. Her second call took her to Living Word Lutheran Church in Katy, Texas. She now serves as Senior Pastor of Holy Comforter Lutheran Church, a growing, dynamic community of faith in Kingwood, Texas committed to growing deeper with Jesus Christ.
Worship & Music Minister
Marsha Seale
E-mail: Marsha@GoDeeperWithChrist.org
Marsha Seale, a gifted musician who joined Holy Comforter in November 2003, serves as Minister of Worship and Music, leading a music ministry of choirs for adults, children, handbells, and instrumentalists. She serves as organist and pianist, and director of the singing choir groups (Gloria Dei Choir and Voices of Praise), two handbell choirs (Bells of Praise and Glory Ringers), and the children’s choir group, which meets in WOW on Wednesdays. She also manages and coordinates with Pastor Barb to plan the worship services each week, helping the congregation find its own voice. A native Texan, Marsha received her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in organ as a student of Frank Speller at The University of Texas at Austin, where she was a Phi Beta Kappa scholar and earned an additional degree in Plan II, an interdisciplinary honors program. She brings an added plus for the congregation, her husband, Pieter Visser, a pipe organ builder who has executed commissions both in this country and internationally.
She is the Regional Coordinator for Professional Development for the American Guild of Organists in Region VII. She is the Texas Coordinator for the Leadership Program for Musicians, a national certification program for church musicians. She serves on the steering committee of the Lutheran Musicians Network for the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. She has served on the executive boards of several fine arts organizations and is a member of a number of professional organizations. She also maintains a private studio for teaching organ.
Family/Youth Minister
Chris Ray
We want to welcome our new Family/Youth Minister, Chris Ray, to Holy Comforter and look forward to lots ofnew opportunities to bring the church closer in ministry. DETAILS COMING SOON.
Early Childhood Education Director Holy Comforter Lutheran School
Colleen Engel
E-mail: Colleen@GoDeeperWithChrist.org
Colleen Engel has served as a staff member of Holy Comforter’s School since 1989, first as a teacher in the Mother’s Day Out program until 1992 and then as a Preschool Lead teacher until May of 2001. She took over the role of Director of Early Childhood Education in September of 2001 and continues to oversee a thriving Preschool and Mother’s Day Out program today.
Director of Administration
Shirley Neiman
E-mail: Shirley@GoDeeperWithChrist.org
In 1997, Shirley Neiman became Director of Administration, and she continues in this position today.
Shirley is a native Houstonian with a deep heritage in the State of Texas; a graduate of Stephen F. Austin High School and the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Business Administration. She is the proud mother of three children, grandmother of six with one great-grandchild and married to Ben for countless years.
Shirley has been a member of Holy Comforter since 1973. During those years she has served twice on the Church Council, been a member of the Gloria Dei Choir, the Evangelism Committee, and the Worship & Music Committee. Primetimers was the brain child of Shirley as she developed the “over 50s group”, better known as the Primetimers, for fellowship and social gatherings. This is an active group today as it has been since 1993.
Her work experiences cover many endeavors, but most notable, she worked for Hughes Tool Company in the executive office of Howard Hughes; owned and managed her own Bridal and Formal store in the Champions area for five years; was manager of Training and Human Resources at Budget Rent a Car in Houston for twelve years. Of all her various jobs, she says serving at Holy Comforter is the most gratifying and she is privileged to serve at Holy Comforter.
Administrative Asst.
Pam MacNaughton
E-mail: Pam@GoDeeperWithChrist.org
During her 22 years at Holy Comforter, Pam MacNaughton has served in many capacities, including participation in Gloria Dei Choir, Bells of Praise, WELCA, Worship and Music committee, Mutual Ministry committee, Voices of Praise, Second Family Care Team, Health Cabinet, Gathering Place, Welcome Team, and Bible studies. She became a part time staff member in January of 2001, serving as Administrative Assistant. Pam grew up on a farm in Waverly, Iowa and graduated from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD, with a major in nursing. Her first nursing job was actually at St. Luke’s Hospital in Houston, Texas. She then married and her husbands job moved them to Dallas, then to St. Paul, MN, New Orleans, LA and then finally back to Texas. Pam and her husband Dale have lived in Kingwood and attended Holy Comforter for 22 years. They have two wonderful children, Ian, 25, and Shannon, 18. Pam is looking forward to seeing what else God has in store for her family as she goes Deeper With Christ at Holy Comforter Lutheran Church.
Financial Secretary Kim Hanus
E-mail: Kim@GoDeeperWithChrist.org
Kim Hanus, a member of HCLC since 1985, has served part time since 1992 as Financial Coordinator HCLC. She also manages our membership database and does the bookkeeping for our school. Kim was born and raised in Richfield, Minnesota, but moved around as her husband was transferred. She arrived here in Kingwood in 1985. She is married to Scott and has two grown daughters. She is involved with the Women of the ELCA, was a member of Bells of Praise for many years and was a Mother’s Day Out teacher.