Leadership

Pastors & Staff

Jim Shelburne

Senior Pastor

A native of Amarillo, I have been blessed to be the Sr. Pastor of WACC since May, 1997. I did GREAT in school, but I got out as fast as I could. A graduate of Abilene Christian University, I have served in numerous ministry roles since 1977, in a number of churches in Texas as well as my first Senior Pastor tenure in Los Alamos, New Mexico. My wife Holly (I married UP!) and I have two grown children, both of whom grew up at WACC. They are both amazing people, each very talented and highly intelligent. (That’s where marrying UP really comes into focus!) I have one grand dog, Maxwell, a very neurotic corgi; and I am blessed to have two of the cutest granddaughters in the world!

When I’m not doing church things (which seems exceptionally rare these days) I enjoy gardening and battling West Texas nature in the yard, using power tools of any kind, and just trying to stay one step ahead of a decaying 61-year old house. When I’m doing nothing and conserving brain cells, I’ll binge watch Blue Bloods or Father Brown Mysteries or some other such mindless thing. A “perfect day” in my book is piddling around the house and yard on a calm, pleasant, overcast day, and not having to answer my stupid phone even one time.

Lennie McCay

Discipleship Pastor

Born and raised in Bethany, OK, I am proud to be a Sooner in the land of Texas. I graduated from Ozark Christian College in Joplin, MO, in 1991. I joined the WACC staff in 2008. My ministry experience includes youth, family, preaching, and men's ministries.

I love being the dad of four great daughters,Bethany, Anna, Emily, and Jenna, husband to a beautiful wife, Melinda, and Papa to McKaya, a cute granddaughter. I am very thankful for Will and Adin, for bringing more men into the family!

If you happen to step into my office, you will notice my affinity for the Oklahoma Sooners and the Dallas Cowboys. I also have a fascination with lions, as my collection will also tell you.

Billy Kersh

Children's Ministry Pastor

Born and raised in the Texas Panhandle, I graduated from Olton High School in Olton, Texas before moving to Amarillo in the fall of 1979, where I attended TSTI. I worked for Weyerhaeuser in Amarillo for 19 years and 11 months as the maintenance supervisor before being called into full-time ministry as a children’s pastor in the summer of 1999.

I served as the children’s pastor in a local church in Amarillo for eight years before being called to serve at Washington Avenue in October 2007. My wife, Leisa and I have two daughters, Katie and Karie.

Shane Wyly

Connections Pastor

Born and raised in Amarillo, I attended Ozark Christian College where I graduated with a Bachelor's degree in New Testament Theology and Preaching in 2013. After graduation, I moved to Manchester, New Hampshire where I served in a variety of roles at a local church, and also where I met my wife, Samantha. I became the Student Pastor here at Washington Avenue in March, 2016. I transitioned into the role of Connections Pastor in the Summer of 2021. Samantha and I welcomed our daughter Janessa into the world in 2019 and our son, Corban, in 2022. I'm currently in pursuit of a Master's of Arts in Biblical Ministry with a concentration in Strategic Leadership.  I am an avid sports fan, cheering for the Spurs, Chiefs, and Red Raiders. You'll probably find me with a book and a camera close at hand. Together, Samantha and I love to read, take pictures and travel.

Jake Earls

Student Ministries Pastor

Born and raised in good ol' Amarillo, I grew up in my faith under the same roof where I now am blessed to serve. Starting as an intern here at WACC in 2017, I am now serving as the Pastor of Student Ministries, along with our Young Adults Ministry as well as helping the church with social media and marketing. Since then I have recently graduated from Ozark Christian College with a degree in Biblical Studies. In 2018, I married my high school sweetheart, Aubrey, and we currently have two dogs, Ringo and Jax, whom we love very much. In my spare time, you can find me working at a local coffee shop where I serve as the Marketing Director, or just drinking coffee in general. I love to get to spend every day of my life trying to figure out how to reach both the lost and the found, for transformation in Christ through writing sermons, making videos, loving teenagers, and even though running our website. I look forward to seeing what God has in store for my wife and me as we continue to pour ourselves into this church.

Isaac Torres

Creative Arts Director

Born and raised in Amarillo, I know Jesus because of people like my great grandparents, who served at WACC for 60+ years. Some of my fondest memories come from my time in WACC kids and Axiom student ministry. When the opportunity came to join the staff at WACC in 2020, it was a dream come true. Coming from an audio engineering background, I use my gifts to lead the Creative Team to serve the body of Christ – inviting them into a closer relationship with Jesus.
God has blessed me with a wife and three kids. I believe I was created to be a Father and I cherish every moment with my family. This is the abundant life. I recharge through music and competitive sports. Show me a game and I'd love to beat you at whatever it is. I love this church family and my hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and His righteousness.

Leann Gabel

Worship Director / Women's Ministry Director

Born and raised in Mississippi, I graduated from Dallas Christian College with a degree in Bible and Music Ministry. I moved to Amarillo to work at a local church where I met my handsome husband, whom I have been married to now for 20-plus years. I was called to serve in the worship ministry of WACC in 2015 and have loved being a part of this family. I feel passionate about Jesus and helping others experience the presence of God through corporate and private worship.

Outside of my involvement at WACC, I am also a Licensed Professional Counselor. I love camping with my husband and my amazing daughter. "Life is relationships, the rest is details" is my favorite quote. You will often find me celebrating the relationships God has placed in my life and the fact that I am constantly making new ones. If I could sum myself up, I would say I love Jesus, music, creation, and collard greens. I believe that all these are best when they are shared with others.

Rachel Stone

Worship Director / Women's Ministry Director

I was born and raised in Dalhart, TX where I graduated from high school in 1999. I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications from West Texas A&M University in 2002. I am happily married to Gary, an East Coast native turned Texan. I have also been blessed with 2 daughters and 3 bonus daughters. Gary and I cherish our very blended family.
I grew up in the Church and have enjoyed singing and playing the piano since I was a little girl. I began volunteering in the worship ministry and singing on the worship team at WACC in 2000 and was blessed to lead worship for various special events before joining the staff as a worship leader in 2015. Besides being a worship leader, I am a homeschooling mom and director of the after-school Bible club, F.R.O.G. Squad, at Lamar Elementary. In my spare time, you’ll find me in my pajama pants watching movies, playing games with my family or napping.

Cathy Ashford

Administrative Director

I began working at WACC as a volunteer in October 2000. Shortly after I began, the church secretary retired and I slipped into her position. Jim and the staff at that time quickly learned that I am a control queen. It was not long before they gave me the title of Queen and I've held that position ever since! Working at WACC has been one of my greatest joys but the fact that my husband has retired, the call of the road beckons frequently. I never thought I would say this, but I look forward to retiring in the future and doing some traveling with family and friends.

Madison gimpel

Administrative Assistant / Young Adults Ministry Director

After a revitalizing experience as a young teenager, I was found by Christ and decided to place my life in His hands. Since then, I have come to know and experience many of His ways. One experience in particular led me to WACC, eventually presenting me with the opportunity to serve in the youth ministry. When serving the youth opened a path to serving young adults, and that opened into volunteering on the creative team, some of the church staff eventually decided to keep me around full-time.
I am now the administrative-director-in-training and love (almost) every aspect of my job. Some of the coolest areas covered by my job description are financials, event-planning, and guest services. I also would like to note that I am not completely opposed to receiving a visit from a curious mind. My office resides to the immediate left of the Resurrected Jesus painting. I bid you good day.

jennifer lyles

Preschool Ministry Director

I was born and raised in Amarillo and graduated from WTAMU with a teaching degree. I began my career in public education in 2000. I was blessed to grow up in a small church and have known the love of Christ my entire life. In the summer of 2006, my family visited WACC and immediately felt moved to stay. I began volunteering in children’s ministry when my children attended VBS a few years later. I have continued serving in children’s ministry even though my own children are now adults. In the fall of 2023 I started as the Director of Preschool Ministries and I am loving every moment with our youngest church members! 

Kim Hall

Receptionist

I have lived in Amarillo for most of my life. I came to work here in February 2023. I feel so blessed to work for and with friends. My husband, Don and I joined the church in November 1998, so this is a new job…but not all new faces. I became a widow in November of 2009. I have a son, two beautiful granddaughters and three dogs. I love coming to work each day, there are so many great people here at Washington Avenue.  I truly enjoy getting to see and talk to so many of you in person or on the phone.