Laurinda and her husband Robert have been married for over 30 years and have 4 children: Justin, Sam, Lee and Anna & her husband, Alex. She loves music of nearly every genre, being with people, God’s great outdoors, and most especially any large body of water. She is an avid reader and loves singing and playing the piano when nobody can hear. Daily gratitude to God for what he has done in her life through his son Jesus is something that Laurinda prioritizes and deeply desires to share with others.
Laurinda Kwiatkowski
Michael is the Executive Administrator of Gruene UMC. He served on the launch team from First UMC New Braunfels, helping to start Gruene UMC. Michael brings over 30 years of management experience to the church. He enjoys handling the administrative part of the church and allowing our Senior Pastor to lead, preach, vision and ministry to people.
Michael Lawson
Amy is excited to serve as the Director of Family Ministries at Gruene, where her mission is to empower the church to expand its reach and relevance so that the next generation will develop a faith of their own that lasts a lifetime and beyond. She has spent more than 20 years discerning her call and developing ministry strategy. Amy, her husband Phil, and their two daughters have called New Braunfels home since 2017. In her free time, you can find Amy enjoying life with her family, spending time outside, or in deep conversation with a friend.
Amy Howell
Aiden has worked for various newspapers, nonprofits, churches and as a freelance creative since 2010. He is newly married to Kimberlee and they have 2 cats and a dog. Aiden also recently graduated from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary with his Master of Divinity with honors. After three years of working at Gruene, he moved to working for the church remotely while also serving as an interim pastor in the Midwest. He enjoys jiu-jitsu, the great outdoors and live music in his free time.
Aiden Diaz
Mariah is thrilled to be serving as Director of Children’s Ministry, where she plans to help mold the next generation through a foundation in Christ. After working in education in Comal, Hillsboro, and Austin, she is excited to use her teaching background to grow the faith in our kids in her new hometown of Gruene.
Mariah Henke
Sam Kwiatkowski
Brandi Carnes joined the staff as Nursery Director in July of 2013, after attending and volunteering for the 2 previous years. She has been married to her husband Casey since 2009, and they have 2 children, Briana and Tyler. She is passionate about taking care of and showing Gods love to children. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
Brandi Carnes
Karmin and her husband Blake have been married for 21 years, and they have one daughter, Lyla. She began working for Gruene Tree Learning Center in 2012 while her daughter was a student. Then she was appointed as the director in June 2021. Karmin puts her whole heart into the children and families of Gruene Tree. She loves each of the children as her own, has a passion for management and organization, and is proud to be part of such an amazing preschool.
Karmin Box
Bio coming soon!
Bethany Benson
Jordan loves all things music. You can catch him playing his original songs all over the Texas Hill Country. He also loves old hymns and gospel songs and plays those at Gruene UMC and every other chance he gets. Jordan and his wife, Kristi, have a local window cleaning company and spend their free time at soccer games, choir concerts, cheer camps, and whatever other activities their two daughters happen to be into.
Jordan Minor
Jamie has been with Gruene since 2012, and has served on the worship & tech teams. His professional background is in live events, event technologies, music recording & production. He is also a regularly performing, multi-instrumentalist musician, photographer, wood carpenter, metal fabricator, designer, project manager & low voltage electrician. He is married to his darling wife Jessica Gloria; together they have a 2 year old daughter and 2 older daughters who both love playing volleyball and music.
Jamie Duvall
Rebecca has been working for Gruene Tree Learning Center since 2010. In 2014 she became Director and the rest is history. She has been happily married to her husband Danny for 17 years and between the two of them have 5 kids, 3 dogs, 4 cats, 1 bird, and 1 bunny! Rebecca is passionate about serving with a happy heart to not only children, but to all those who cross her path. She enjoys exercising, cooking, gardening, and laughing!
Rebecca Goossens
Mona Schroeder
