Pastor

Jim Cassidy

Dr. James "Jim" Cassidy has been the pastor of SAPC since its inception in July 2014 as a daughter congregation of Providence Presbyterian Church in Pflugerville, Texas.

Jim was raised in a Roman Catholic home in Edison, New Jersey. He was later led to the Lord by a friend in his sophomore year of college. His wife, Eve, was raised in Madison, New Jersey and was led to Christ through the ministry of Grace OPC in Westfield, New Jersey. She is a busy and active mother. Jim and Eve have been blessed with three children: Caitlyn, Ian, and Anna.

Jim previously served in OPC pastorates in Pennsylvania (Johnstown) and New Jersey (Ringoes). In his ministry he has been and continues to be committed to proclaiming Christ and Him crucified from all the Scriptures. Jim earned an MDiv at Westminster Theological Seminary as well as the PhD in Historical and Theological Studies, concentrating in Systematic Theology. You can follow him on Twitter at @jjcassidy.

Evangelist

Corey Paige

Corey grew up in Hi Hat, KY in a Christian home. Coming from a Southern Baptist background, he was acquainted with the Scriptures and the church from an early age. Corey began to feel an internal call to pastoral ministry in high school and his gifts were recognized by his church’s leadership.

Although he had aspirations to go to a Baptist seminary once he had finished college, the Lord had other plans. Through helpful online resources and mentors he would receive in college, Corey realized that his faith and practice must become Reformed. One of his mentors, Jay Bennett, would soon become his pastor at Neon Reformed Presbyterian Church (OPC). During this time he also began to court his future bride, Andrea. They have been married since 2014 and are praying that the Lord would give them a child.

Corey has had the privilege of using his gifts in service to the church through preaching, teaching, evangelism, visitation, counseling, and hospitality. He recently graduated from Greenville Presbyterian Seminary in May 2022. He is thankful that the Father sent His Son by the Spirit so that he would have union and communion with the Triune God (Ephesians 2:18). Corey longs to make His deeds known among the people (Psalm 105:1) and loves to see God continue to build His church according to His promise (Ephesians 2:19-22; Matthew 28:18-20).

Pastoral Intern

David Wright

David Robert Wright grew up in Corvallis, Oregon, attending church from a young age. He came to believe the gospel in high school and shortly thereafter felt a call to ministry. He has a BA in music education from Oregon State University and earned his MDiv at Covenant Theological Seminary.

Coming to us from Westminster Presbyterian Church in Corvallis, David is a licentiate of the Presbytery of the Northwest of the OPC. There, he has had an active preaching ministry and regularly led Bible studies on campus at OSU. He also served in full-time campus ministry at The Courtyard, a house for Christian students at OSU.

David has particular interests in evangelism (Matthew 28.18–20) and pastoral counseling and discipleship including its connection to mental health (Titus 2.14). He has worked as a private singing instructor and in his free time enjoys singing and playing piano, reading, and playing video games.

Elder

John Terpstra

John H. Terpstra was installed as the founding ruling elder in February 2015. Up to that time he served as a ruling elder at Providence Presbyterian Church in Pflugerville. Before that he served as a ruling elder at Christ Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Salt Lake City.

Born in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Elder Terpstra moved to Australia when his parents emigrated there in 1957, and he grew up in the Christian Reformed faith. His parents and forefathers were raised within the orthodox Continental Reformed faith, and trace their heritage in the Reformed and Presbyterian faith back to the Reformation.

Elder Terpstra guided Bible studies in the South Austin area that led to the planting and establishment of South Austin Presbyterian Church. He holds to the necessity of subscription to the Westminster Standards as foundational theological principles for a faith and practice that covers all of life.

Elder

Francesco Spadini

Francesco Spadini was installed as SAPC’s second ruling elder in April 2017.

He was born in the UK and spent much of his childhood in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Lord led him to faith in college, where he also met his wife Maryrose. By God’s providence they have been called to membership and service in Reformed churches since 2006, and have been blessed with three children: Elijah, Evangelia, and Sophia.

Francesco works as a computer engineer. Outside of church, family, and work, he takes special interest in church history and pro-life ministry.

Elder

Paul van Oudenaren

Paul van Oudenaren was installed as SAPC’s third ruling elder in January 2021. He has been a ruling elder in the OPC since February 2019.

Paul was baptized as an infant and raised in a Christian home near Toronto, Canada. His work brought him to Texas, where he met and married his wonderful wife, Stephanie. Paul and Stephanie are blessed to be the parents of three energetic children.

Paul has a background in mechanical engineering and works as a senior product manager. He enjoys theology, economics, sports, gardening, and exploring the Texas hill country with the family.

Deacon

Joel Blok

Joel Blok was installed as SAPC's first deacon in 2015. Both he and his wife Kate are charter members and welcomed their first child, Ezra, in 2016.

Joel and Kate were previously members of Providence Presbyterian Church in Pflugerville, which they joined after moving to Austin from Grand Rapids, Michigan in 2010. Both were raised in the Reformed faith, growing up in member churches of the Netherlands Reformed Congregation.

Joel works in Austin as a structural engineer. In his free time he enjoys golf, photography, and exploring Austin with Kate, Ezra, Crosby, and their golden retriever, Piper.

Deacon

Chris Jones

Chris Jones was installed to the office of deacon at SAPC in 2019. Chris and his wife Heidi are the proud parents of four covenant children. The Jones family have been members of SAPC since 2015.

Deacon

Ryan Whalen

Ryan Whalen was installed as a deacon at SAPC in September 2019. He and his family have been members since 2018.

He was born in California and grew up in the mainline Presbyterian Church. Even though he was raised in the church, God brought him to faith during college, where he also met his wife Shelley. They now live in Bastrop with their two daughters.

Ryan works in commercial real estate in Austin. In his free time he enjoys sports, hunting, fitness, reading, and being with family.