Meet The Team
Pastor Don Patterson
Pastor Don Patterson has been a pastor for 29 years. His home congregation, Holy Word Lutheran Church, is in north Austin. He has started 6 other churches in 29 years and Hope Fellowship is his new passion.
Don & Mary live in Georgetown. They have reared four sons, who all serve as lay volunteers in their churches sprinkled around Houston and north east Texas. Don and Mary have five grandchildren. He enjoys preaching and teaching, writing, cycling, the outdoors, and visiting in deep conversations with friends.
You can find some of Don's audio and video sermons at A Reason for Hope.
Staff Minister
Marc Sandefur
Marc grew up in Universal City, TX. He completed studies in aerospace engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. He worked for 34 years in Houston, Cleburne, and Dallas-Ft. Worth as an outdoor educator, math teacher, computer programmer, and pension analyst. Marc completed studies as a staff minister at Martin Luther College in Minnesota in 2022. He was assigned in July, 2025, to help start Hope Fellowship in Jarrell. He enjoys doing just about anything outside, reading and keeping up with current events.
Kate has lived in Minnesota her entire life. She has worked in various non-profits. She worked for twenty years at Martin Luther College and also served as a manager of a thrift store. She enjoys cooking, reading, and spending time with family.
Marc and Kate have been married for two years. They love to meet and spend time with people, and work together to spread the gospel. They have ten adult children and are waiting somewhat patiently for grandchildren.