George McCain
Director of Missions Support
George McCain has been involved in missions over the years as a pastor in Texas and through various denominational leadership roles. He joined Buckner as Director of Missions Support in July 2007.
Favorite Quote: “When I realize the only thing that will last is my personal relationship with God, then I can set out to solve the problems all about me." Oswald Chambers
Most enjoys… Activities with his family.
Random fact: Rescued two Dalmatians.
Dexton Shores
Director of Ministry Development, Mexico & Border
Dexton Shores has been involved in border and Mexico missions since childhood, having grown up on the Texas/Mexco border. He served as a Hispanic church planter for 16 years, as a church planter strategist with associations in East Texas and San Antonio for eight years and as the director of River Ministry with the Baptist General Convention for eight years. He joined Buckner as Director of Ministry Development for Mexico and the Border in August 2007.
Favorite Quote: “It is not my ability, but my response to God's ability, that counts." Corrie ten Boom
Most enjoys… time with his grandson and family and going on mission trips.
Random fact: Married pastor's daughter while serving as youth minister and attending Baylor.
Jorge Zapata
Director of Border Colonia Program
Jorge Zapata served as a pastor in East Texas and the Rio Grande Valley for sixteen years before joining Buckner in December 2002 as a mission group coordinator when Buckner Border Ministries began.
Favorite Quote: “Whatever it takes, let’s do it!”
Most enjoys… loves the mountains and nature
Random fact: people know Jorge as a crazy or “loco” personality
Leslie Chace
Director of Ministries for Latin America
Joined the Buckner fam in July 1998
Most enjoys… ministry work!
Random fact: Set the butterfly swim record for South America.
Phil Brinkmeyer
Director of Ministries for Eastern Europe
Joined the Buckner fam in March 1994.
Most enjoys… getting dirty in Colorado.
Random fact: He has a little yellow life vest for his dog to wear when they go kayaking together.
Cynthia Hayes
Missions Travel Consultant
Joined the Buckner fam in November 2006
Favorite Quote: “Be nice to everyone, you never know who they are.” –Cynthia Hayes
Most enjoys… how silly her four children are.
Random fact: Is the nicest person in the Missions Office, hands-down.
Susan Williams
Office Manager
Joined the Buckner Fam in February 2006
Graduated from East Texas Baptist University
Favorite Quote: “Begin each day as if it were on purpose” –Hitch
Most enjoys… fuzzy slippers at the office
Random fact: Was in her county’s Poultry Festival Pageant.
Jessica Garcia
Missions Coordinator
Joined the Buckner fam in February 2006
Graduated from Universidade Ibero-Americana (in Sao Paulo, Brazil)
Favorite Quote: “Be the change you want to see in the world.”
Most enjoys… rock-climbing with her husband Alex.
Random fact: On the day of her wedding she placed her husband's ring on the wrong hand.
Jouleen Castillo
Missions Coordinator
Joined the Buckner fam in September 2006
Graduated from: Baylor University
Favorite Quote: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us.”
-Marianne Williamson
Most enjoys… celebrity gossip and salsa dancing
Random fact: Uses her Spanish to woo others.
Jeremy Copeland
Missions and Intern Coordinator
Joined the Buckner fam in November 2006
Graduated from Baylor University
Favorite quote: “Hakuna matata, what a wonderful phrase!” –Pumba, The Lion King
Most enjoys… the outdoors.
Random fact: Got the chicken pox at the age of 34.
Julie Schiefer
Missions Coordinator
Joined the Buckner Fam in January 2007
Graduated from Baylor University
Favorite Quote: “If you can’t see why that is awesome…then maybe you need awesome lessons.” -Andy Bernard, The Office
Most enjoys…cheesy teen movies, especially “From Justin to Kelly” and riding her road bike.
Random fact: Tried out for “The Bachelor, Paris” and sang “That’s Amore” in her audition.
Lyndee Kiesling
Missions Coordinator
Joined the Buckner fam in January 2006
Graduated from Texas Tech University
Favorite Quotes: “Glamorous, the flossy, flossy” -Fergie
Most enjoys… Rollin’ with the orphans, and Sam’s Club pizza.
Random fact: Declared her undying love to Luke Wilson. She is now “Luke’s girl”.
Shaun Lester
Missions Coordinator
Joined the Buckner Fam in February 2004 and then re-joined in December 2007
Graduated from: Baylor University and Southwestern Seminary
Favorite quote: "I'm good to go."
Most enjoys... doing nothing at Hilton Head Island, SC.
Random Fact: She's a Texas girl and a Baylor grad, but a OSU Buckeye at heart!
Omar Chavarria
Mission Group Coordinator – Rio Grande Valley Colonias
Omar Chavarria studied at the Rio Grade Bible Institute in Edinburg, Texas and has pastured a colonia church for several years. He began working with Buckner as a pastor intern in July 2005 and as a coordinator in June 2006 .
Favorite Quote: “Let’s get it done brother” because ‘we can do all things in Christ who gives us strength’
Most enjoys… fishing in clear water rivers and relax under big trees with family and friends
Random fact: When he was a kid, his dad left him to take care of his truck while he went in the store. Omar climbed a big tree and took off his shoes and forgot them up there – and he is still looking for them!
Mario Garcia
Mission Group Coordinator – El Paso Colonias
Mario Garcia graduated from the Hispanic Baptist Theological Seminary (now BUA) in San Antonio in 1992. He has served as a pastor in Oklahoma for nine years and a church planter in El Paso for four years before joining Buckner in 2007.
Favorite Quote: “God does the impossible and I do the possible”
Most enjoys… playing basketball and freeze tag with his kids
Random fact: La gente dice “lo que el se propone lo logra” which means: people say “he accomplishes what he sets out to do”
Cheyenne Solis
Mission Group Coordinator – Rio Grande Valley Colonias
Cheyenne Solis grew up in the Rio Grande Valley where he currently serves as mission group coordinator. He graduated from the Baptist University of the Americas in San Antonio with a BA in Biblical Theological Studies & Youth Ministry in 2005. He joined Buckner in January 2006 after having served as a student summer intern.
Favorite Quote: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6 (“Yo soy el camino, y la verdad, y la vida; nadie viene al Padre, sino por mi.” Juan 14:6)
Most enjoys… serving our Lord Jesus Christ through missions on weekends with his wife. Also enjoys fishing, hunting and eating wild game.
Random fact: married the daughter of a pastor and mission group coordinator from Matamoros, Mexico that he met while attending BUA.
