Jeff Chadwick
Executive Director
Jeff answered God’s call and began serving as Executive Director in April, 2016. He is responsible for providing the overall leadership, guidance, and vision for the organization. He is also the main point of contact and liaison between MCH and various ministry and business partners and churches. Prior to entering full-time ministry in 2003, Jeff worked for over 20 years as a petroleum engineer in various staff, management, and executive leadership positions. Since that time he has served in various pastoral positions relating to missions, outreach, administration, discipleship and preaching. Prior to joining MCH Jeff and Cheryl served as the pastoral couple of a church they planted in 2011 in the inner city of Richmond, Virginia. Since 2006 Jeff has also coordinated and led numerous mission trips to Nicaragua to help train church leaders, meet physical needs and plant churches. He continues this work today. His combination of organizational management, leadership, pastoral ministry and mission experience provides Jeff with an ideal background for serving as the Executive Director of MCH. Jeff has an M.S. in Petroleum Engineering from West Virginia University and a M.A. in Religion from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
Cheryl Chadwick
Director of Christian Education, Interns and Volunteer Ministries
Cheryl has served as Director of Children’s Ministries in various churches for more than 20 years and also with the SBC of Virginia. She enjoys sharing the love of Jesus with the children in our communities and also with her three grandchildren. Cheryl is very grateful and humbled to be a part of this ministry that has transformed lives for over decades in the inner city of Houston. In her position at MCH she helps Jeff with the overall management of MCH, with particular responsibilities to oversee and coordinate volunteer engagement, direct the education and children’s ministry programs, and to coordinate and supervise MCH’s summer missionary and intern programs.
Ivan Lambert
Director of Development & Communications
Born and raised in Houston, Ivan is a devout follower of Christ. As the oldest of four kids, he was instilled with a strong sense of responsibility and compassion from a young age. He has always been passionate about helping others and creating opportunities for those in need domestically and internationally. With over 15 years of non-profit experience, he has dedicated his life to philanthropy and helping others. Ivan has received multiple awards by Congress and local leaders over the years for his outstanding contributions to society. His selfless acts of kindness and unwavering commitment to making the world a better place is a testament to his strong faith and devotion to God. Ivan’s unwavering dedication to serving others is a shining example of God’s teachings on compassion, generosity, and selflessness. Ivan joined the MCH team in May 2023.
David Cripps
Director of Outreach Ministries
In 2020, David and his family moved into the Near Northside to start New Life Baptist Church. Through the ministry, David and his wife, Adrianna, became connected with Mission Centers of Houston. They began to serve through some of the various ministries of MCH and have grown to love Mission Center’s vision for sharing the love of Jesus through meeting the physical needs of the community. In January of 2023, David joined the team as the Director of Outreach Ministries and is excited about this opportunity to help advance the message of the Gospel through MCH. David and Adrianna have been married for eight years and have four beautiful children: Julianne, Brookelyn, Whitten, and Gabrielle.
Greater East End (Joy Mission Center)
Ernesto Luevano
Area Missionary, Greater East End
Originally from Monterrey, Mexico, Ernesto and his family moved to Texas in 2013 following the instructions God had given him. “I came to Texas on vacation with my family, but after that visit I received a clear call from the Lord to pastor in the United States. I saw the great need among the Hispanic community, and how many were disoriented without Christ.” After serving his community for 6 years, Ernesto and his family established a church in SE Houston called “Iglesia Bautista Hispana “La Biblia Dice Asi” (which means, “The Bible Says So” Hispanic Baptist Church).
In 2021 Ernesto and his family established a relationship with MCH as the first member of the Compassion Center network. In November of 2023 they became part of the Mission Centers team, oversseing all of the mission work in the Greater East End and the Joy Mission Center.
Prior to surrendering to full time ministry, Ernesto graduated from the Industrial Engineering program at Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León and served as Sales Manager for the Northern Zone of the Country of Mexico.
Ernesto Luevano, Jr
Assistant Area Missionary, Greater East End
Ernesto, Jr works hand in hand with his father and family to help oversee the mission work in the Greater East End and the Joy Mission Center for MCH. He is bilingual and is responsible for administrative, volunteer, children’s and youth programs.
Jennifer Ayala
Community Missions Associate
Jennifer answered the call to serve as the Community Missions Associate at Joy where her bilingual skills will serve our community and partners well. She is a mom of three and an avid Texans fan. You may even know two of Jenny’s little ones from kids club.
Greater Northside (Gano Mission Center)
Juan Ayala
Area Missionary, Greater Northside
Lucia Ayala
Director, Gano Mission Center
Juan and Lucia Ayala joined Mission Centers of Houston in 2018 as a Disaster Recovery Manager following Hurricane Harvey. He then moved into the position of Area Missionary to the Greater Northside in March 2019 and Lucia joined the team at the same time as Gano Mission Center’s new Director. Juan and Lucia have been married for more than twenty-four years. This year in July they will be celebrating their twenty fifth wedding anniversary. Juan and Lucia have two wonderful daughters Maribel and Monica. Juan and Lucia also serve at House of Grace Church, located in the north line area of Houston, as the pastoral couple for over three years. Overall, Juan and Lucia have been serving in pastoral ministry since 2001. They are very excited to be part of the Mission Centers team and what God continues to do in the Greater Northside. The essence of their ministry is feeding the needs of others both physical and spiritual, sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with everyone, and helping believers grow in their knowledge and walk with God.
Ana Rivera
Community Missions Associate
Ana first came to Mission Centers of Houston in 2001 to bring her child to the Gano Kids Club. After bringing her child four years to the kid’s club, she was asked by one of the MCH staff if she would like to volunteer. Ana has been volunteering at MCH for more than fifteen years. In 2006, Ana was invited to a program hosted by Second Baptist Church called Angels of Light where she believed in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Ana loves to shine the light of Christ and serve her community. Over the years she has had many health problems but none of which have never stopped her from serving as volunteer at Gano Mission Center. Ana is married to Jose and have two children and 6 grandchildren. In 2020, by the grace of God, God Ana joined Mission Centers of Houston as Gano’s Community Missions Associate.
Support Staff
Laura Fernandez
Administrative Assistant
Laura Fernandez has been a volunteer at Mission Centers of Houston since April 2019. She has found her passion for helping others. Her kids often refer to MCH as her ‘Happy Place’ because they see how excited and happy she is to be there. After serving as the Volunteer and Service Provider VISTA for 2 years, she began serving as MCH Administrative Assistant in January 2023. Laura’s father passed away very young, therefore she has lived and witnessed how a widow, her mother, struggled having 3 jobs just to be able to provide for her 4 children. She understands what it is to live with needs. MCH has given her the opportunity to be able to help others through the food pantry ministry. While serving in her role, as well as volunteering in this ministry, she is able to give a word of encouragement to someone that needs it. Serving means the world to her. She loves God with all her heart, therefore she serves with all her heart.
Susan Schwartz
Bookkeeper (Contractual)
Susan’s career encompasses the banking industry, accounting work, and managing portfolios for numerous companies and non-profit organizations. She has also been (and continues to be) very active in the leadership of numerous civic organizations in Houston. Susan has volunteered at MCH for many years with her husband, including helping with fundraising activities. Susan joined the MCH team in 2018.