Staff
Ministers
John Wurster
Pastor - Head of Staff
John Wurster has been Pastor of St. Philip since March 2012. He most recently served as Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Kerrville, Texas. He has also served Presbyterian churches in Ohio and Pennsylvania.
John grew up in Wichita Falls, Texas. He received the Bachelor of Arts summa cum laude from Trinity University, where he was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa; the Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary; and the Doctor of Ministry from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. In 2019 he received an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Austin College.
John has authored two books published by CSS Press: What If What They Say Is True? is a collection of sermons on the prophets; Ordinary Words, Extraordinary Deeds is a reflection on preaching the miracles of Jesus. John has contributed worship materials and essays to Call to Worship, the journal published by the Office of Theology and Worship of the Presbyterian Church (USA). He has also written essays for the multi-volume Connections biblical commentary series.
John serves on the Board of Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston and the Board of the Presbyterian Outlook Foundation, which publishes the Presbyterian Outlook magazine. He is a member of the Presbyterian Association of Musicians and has been involved with PAM conferences as a co-director and preacher. John has also served as an adjunct faculty member in homiletics at Austin Seminary. John is a former Trustee of the Presbyterian Pan American School in Kingsville, Texas and a former Trustee of Schreiner University in Kerrville
John is married to Deborah Burks, formerly Associate Professor of English at The Ohio State University.
Keatan King
Associate Pastor
Keatan King has served as Associate Pastor at St. Philip Church since 2013. She is a native of Austin, Texas and a life-long Presbyterian.
Keatan graduated summa cum laude from Austin College with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Cultural Anthropology. She was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa while at Austin College. She earned a Master of Divinity from Louisville Presbyterian Seminary, where she received the Field Education Award. In 2024, Keatan received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Austin College.
Her ministry at St. Philip includes pastoral care, preaching, leading worship, and teaching. Keatan has a special focus on ministry with youth and young adults, as she seeks to accompany young people as they experience the transformative love of Jesus Christ in their lives. Keatan served as the Chair of the Board of Trustees of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
She is married to Rev. Dr. Nathan Carlin, who teaches at McGovern Medical School, and together they delight in raising their 2 daughters. They enjoy cooking (especially barbeque), walks in Montrose, and traveling as a family.
Omar Rouchon
Associate Pastor
Omar Rouchon is originally from Rochester, New York, but first called Houston home from 2007-2012, when he taught fifth grade through Teach For America. During that time Omar was a member of St. Philip and served on the Session.
Omar studied political science as an undergraduate, and spent five years teaching math and science before answering a call to ministry – a call he first experienced as a teenager. Deeply interested in an array of diversity and multi-faith engagement, Omar pursued his theological studies at Harvard Divinity School.
Omar holds a B.A. from Yale and a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Houston. In 2015, he received the Master of Divinity from Harvard and began serving at St. Philip.
Education and spiritual formation are two of Omar’s greatest interests and he is grateful to be in ministry with the children and families of the St. Philip community. Omar strives to make the love of God known to all of God’s children of all ages, and help support the development of inquisitive, thoughtful, and compassionate disciples.
Music Leaders
Justin Langham
Director of Music
Justin Langham enjoys a multi-faceted career as a conductor, composer, performer, and educator, and is proud to serve as Director of Music at St. Philip, a welcoming community where music is an integral part of the spiritual life.
Through his background in both choral and instrumental areas, Justin is most passionate about bringing people together through music at St. Philip, whether in weekly services or special musical offerings with choir and orchestra. As a conductor and music director, Dr. Langham has curated concerts highlighting a variety of repertoire in creative ways, leading performances of masterworks by Handel, Mozart, Britten, Vivaldi, Vaughan Williams, Beethoven, Goodall, and others. In addition to his responsibilities at St. Philip, Justin also serves as Artistic Director of the Houston Masterworks Chorus, one of Houston’s most recognizable community ensembles.
As a performer, Justin maintains an active schedule as a freelance musician in the greater Houston area, and as a member of the internationally renowned trumpet and organ duo, Deux Voix (“two voices''), with whom he has given over 350 performances over the last decade, including some of the world's most magnificent cathedrals and concert halls across 20 states and multiple overseas tours to Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and France. Justin is also an award-winning composer and arranger, with many works that are frequently heard in St. Philip services and beyond. A devoted educator, Justin is in-demand as a lecturer and clinician, Justin also maintains an active private teaching studio at his home in the Museum District, where he enjoys spending time with his partner, pianist Andreea Muţ, and their Great Pyrenees, Risa.
Originally from Mobile, Alabama, Justin earned a double Bachelor of Music in performance and composition from the University of Alabama, followed by his Master's and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the University of Houston.
Matthew Dirst
Organist
Organist Matthew Dirst, who joined the St. Philip music staff in 1997, plays the 11 am Sunday service, accompanies the St. Philip Choir, and has served St. Philip in numerous other capacities over the years, including three periods as interim choirmaster.
Matthew was closely involved in the commissioning of the Fritts organ and Phillips harpsichord and is immensely grateful to serve in a church where music is so highly valued.
The first American to win major international prizes in both organ and harpsichord, Matthew is also Professor of Music at the Moores School of Music, University of Houston, where he teaches courses in music history and performance practice, and is Artistic Director of the Grammy-nominated early music ensemble Ars Lyrica Houston.
His degrees include a PhD in musicology from Stanford University and degrees in organ and sacred music from the University of Illinois and Southern Methodist University. A Fulbright scholar to France, he received the coveted prix de virtuosité in both organ and harpsichord.
The author of numerous articles on the music of Bach and its reception, Matthew is the author of Engaging Bach: The Keyboard Legacy from Marpurg to Mendelssohn (Cambridge University Press, 2012).
Church Office Staff
Lorrie Castle
Office Manager
Lorrie Castle, our office manager, comes from a non-profit background in event management.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts and Science degree in General Business from Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio.
She and her husband David, a CPA and a member of St. Philip, were married in this church in January, 2012.
They enjoy spontaneous dates, sporting events, theatre, music, entertaining, and traveling. Both of their families reside in other states--Lorrie's in Ohio, and David's in New York.
Diana Weiss
Art Director
Diana Weiss joined the staff as interim in 2023 and manages St. Philip’s in-house design department. She maintains the church website, social media and communication materials.
Diana holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication Design from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY.
She previously worked with a Baptist church, helping with their print, graphics, websites, and social media needs. Diana joined St. Philip as a member in 2018 and is happy to have found a place on staff at the end of 2023. Her goal is to find artistic solutions that capture the unique qualities that make St. Philip a special place. She enjoys computer graphics, watercolor, and acrylic painting.
Diana’s other interests include handbells, choir, swing dancing, playing board games, and volunteering where she can.
Denise Ferrell
Bookkeeper
Denise Ferrell joined St. Philip after the 2010 merger with Central Presbyterian Church, where she previously served as Central’s bookkeeper for 13 years.
Denise handles the bookkeeping functions for the church. She is a valued part of our administrative team, faithfully tending to all financial matters.
She provides support to the committees, our congregation and staff. Denise is also available for consultation about pledges and other matters via her email.
Denise has a passion for the cultural arts, as she enjoys attending the ballet, opera, the theatre and museum district.
Property & Facilities
Wilbert Parada
Facilities Supervisor
Wilbert Parada has been taking care of St. Philip’s facilities for over 20 years, and his journey to our church shows what a remarkable person he is. Wilbert was originally hired by a company called Aztec to do light work at St. Philip (e.g., setting up classrooms, watering the grass, changing light bulbs). Within a year or two, Wilbert had proven himself to be a talented, reliable young man. So, in 1997, when circumstances permitted, St. Philip hired Wilbert outright.
Today, Wilbert’s title is Facilities Supervisor and his responsibilities are many. His younger brother, Dimas Parada, now serves as Custodian and that’s been a joy for Wilbert. When asked to name his favorite responsibility, Wilbert smiles broadly and says gardening. He loves designing the beds, then choosing the flowers and planting them. Wilbert is happy working at our church, and very proud that throughout his long tenure, St. Philip has never had to cancel a worship service because of facilities problems.
In his spare time, Wilbert follows the Italian soccer team, Juventus, and cheers for the Denver Broncos. More importantly, he teaches Bible study for the Oasis of Love Church (which uses St. Philip’s facilities) where his brother, Jaime Parada, is Pastor. Wilbert’s grandfather was also a pastor, as were two of his uncles, so working in and for churches is actually following in his family’s footsteps. Wilbert is married to Yaneth Ramos and has 3 sons – Christopher, Anthony, and Eric. He enjoys spending time with his granddaughter Ayeli.
Dimas Parada
Custodian
Dimas Parada began working at St. Philip in 2007. Dimas graduated from Hastings High School and attended the University of Houston for a time before joining the workforce. He has earned his food manager certificate and oversees the church kitchen. Dimas’ is certified with a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) certification to oversee St. Philip’s HVAC system.
Dimas is an accomplished musician. Dimas also supports Oasis de Amor Church (led by his brother Jaime) with his vocal and bass guitar talents. Dimas is an avid sports fan keeping up with the Astros, Rockets, Texans and Dynamo. He likes to watch nature at various parks throughout the area. Dimas is also grateful to have a wonderful and loving family—first and foremost his wife, Annbeth, and adorable son, Daniel and daughter, Andrea.
Nursery Staff
Denise Sanchez
