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| Our Staff |
Dennis Diaz
Senior Pastor
Dennis and his wife TJ have been married since 1981 and have three children Jessica, Ryan, and Tiffany.
Dennis holds a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from New Mexico State University and a Masters of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has been in full-time ministry since 1980, serving with Campus Crusade for Christ/Athletes in Action, 11 years as a Youth Pastor and as Senior Pastor of Mesilla Park since 1993. He has also been on several short term mission trips to Mexico, Sweden, Finland, and East Asia.
Besides Jesus, Dennis' passions are his family and sports. A member of the New Mexico State University Sports Hall of Fame, 'Big D' enjoys lifting weights, playing golf, basketball, football, and racquetball, and watching any sport that isn’t played or preformed on ice. He is a die-hard Dallas Cowboy fan, remaining loyal despite their current mediocrity . “24” is his favorite television show and he wants to be Jack Bauer when he grows up.
TJ is very active in ministry. She has worked in youth ministry since 1981, is a deaconess, has a ministry to senior adults and has a gift of service that keeps her busy meeting the needs of others 24/7. Outside of the church she is a substitute teacher with the Las Cruces Public Schools. Her hobbies are animals, stained glass, woodwork and keeping Dennis in line.
Lynette Muncrief
Ministry Assistant/Office Manager
Lynette and her husband Rex have been members of MPCC since 1999. They have five wonderful children. They are also blessed six very handsome grandsons and one beautiful granddaughter, which they love spoiling. Lynette also enjoys horseback riding and spending time in the mountains.
Lynette assumed the role of Office Manager/Ministry Assistant in 2004. She is also a prayer warrior and serves as one of the Titus Women in the church. Her personal mission is to serve God and the people of this church.
Deborah Cuellar
Children's Minister
Deborah has been a member of MPCC since 1995 and Children's Minister since 1996. She and her husband Lupe have two children: Joshua and Andrew.
Growing up a missionary kid, Deb has always been involved in mission work. She was a member of the first overseas mission group from MPCC, which traveled to East Asia in 2006.
As a person with a love for children and families, Deborah's desire is that all children have the opportunity to know Christ personally, know that they are loved unconditionally by God and that he has a special plan for their lives!
Ms. Cuellar loves spending time with her children and extended family. She also enjoys reading Christian romance novels, bargain shopping, going to the movies, Diet Dr. Pepper, red enchiladas and watching "24" on TV.
Cindy Van Pelt
Assistant Children's Minister
Cindy and her husband Eric joined MPCC in about 1996. They have three children Erin, Evan, and Camryn.
Cindy has served as a deaconess of the church for 2 years and volunteers for activities and events throughout the church. She has been working part-time in the Children’s Ministry since February 2006.
Cindy enjoys art (mostly water color and painting), but loves spending time with her family most of all.
Derek Mitchell
Youth Minister
Derek has been a member of MPCC since 1999 and joined the staff in 2004. He is married to the former Terra Taylor. They are the proud parents of 3 snakes, a dog and a gecko.
Derek has been very active in missionary work, spending the summers of ’02 and ‘03 in North Africa and the summer of ’06 in East Asia. In 2003-2004 he was the assistant College Minister at Christian Challenge - NMSU.
Derek likes working out, video games, cars with big engines, animals, snakes, the beach and traveling. His favorite foods are meat (cooked or not) and Starbucks! Most of all Derek enjoys alone time with Jesus.
Marissa Olson
Assistant TO the Youth Minister
Marissa has been a part of MPCC since 2003 and member of the staff since 2005. She and her husband Matt have been married since Easter Weekend of 2008. They have no children - except 60 screaming middle and high school students.
She has been active in missions as a member of the 2006 East Asia Team, co-leader of the 2007 East Asia Team, and has made several short-term excursions into Mexico.
She really enjoys being a part of this church family and serving alongside so many wonderful followers of Christ.
Lynn Cuellar
Marriage and Family Educator
Lynn, along with her husband Gus and their three children Matt, Stephanie and Michael, came to Mesilla Park in 1994 to serve as Children's Ministry Director.
Since receiving her Master's Degree in Family and Child Science her ministry has shifted to helping build stronger families and marriages through seminars, training and classes. Lynn is also a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
Lynn likes spending time with her family, reading murder mysteries, and collecting and displaying Christmas decorations year round.
Rocky Dumais
Operations Administrator
Rocky is the newest member of our staff. He and his wife Shannon, daughter Danielle and son Rocky moved to Las Cruces in 2005. After being active members of Mesilla Park for 3 years, the Elders and Rocky felt that God was leading him to use his years of experience in administration and project management with the government and military to strengthen the ministries of this church.
Rocky likes the outdoors, cycling and serving Christ.
