Golden Spread Emmaus and Chrysalis Community
2021 Board of Directors Election Ballot
The following is the nominated slate for this year’s election. Five persons are to be elected from this slate. This year’s ballot will result in the election of two (2) men and three (3) women to the Board. Voting in this election is restricted to members of the Golden Spread Emmaus Community. Please review the candidates, their bio’s, then prayerfully select your candidates for the upcoming year.
✱ ✱ ✱ Background information on all candidates may be found by scrolling down on this page. ✱ ✱ ✱
✱ ✱ ✱ Ballots must be submitted no later than November 10, 2021 ✱ ✱ ✱
✱ ✱ ✱ Background information on all candidates may be found by scrolling down on this page. ✱ ✱ ✱
✱ ✱ ✱ Ballots must be submitted no later than November 10, 2021 ✱ ✱ ✱
Candidate Bios
Paul Geist
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Paul Geist
My name is Paul Geist. I’m a proud father of two incredible kids, Ashley (27) and Chris (24). I had the privilege of raising them as a single dad. God provided for us and blessed me with a career at Pantex 24 years ago. In 2011 He brought my beautiful wife, Katy, into our lives. We were married in 2013. When my spiritual mentor invited me to attend an Emmaus walk I did not know what it was but I said “sure”. In August 2015 I attended walk #246. The experience was life changing. I gained a deeper relationship with God and a passion for Emmaus. This passion fueled my desire to work Emmaus walks and Chrysalis flights. Since then I have been blessed to work Walk #254 & #262; as well as Flight #126 and soon to work #130 in December 2021. I have also had the pleasure to sit on the Chrysalis Board. Throughout my experiences I have gained a strong desire to serve not only within the Emmaus & Chrysalis communities but also in my church. It would be an honor to have the opportunity to serve on the Emmaus board. From my first walk I have felt strongly that Emmaus IS my ministry. I am humbled that God has allowed me to be nominated for such an honor. |
Mike Swafford
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Mike Swafford
Born in Amarillo Texas and moved to Panhandle Texas soon after. This beautiful little farming and ranching community is where I grew up and graduated High School. A strong work ethic father and town provided many opportunities to learn an abundance of skills while also becoming an independent, respectful, and confident young man.There was no legal working age in my little town,but rather a choice and a desire to learn. I filed my 1st tax return at the age of 10. I was a member of a non-denominational church where my father was a decon and an elder. It was in this setting of a work driven, thankful, worshiping community that I realized at an early age that a building is just a building and the people were His Church, regardless of affiliation. I am married to Mollie(Fields) Swafford. I have a daughter,Whitney, and 2 stepsons,Wilson and Andrew. Those that know Mollie and I also know the Lord gave me a wife that is considerably above my pay grade. In doing so He knew my job would be to work tirelessly to become the kind of husband she deserves. My pilgrim Walk was #222. My brothers and sisters that I have worked with and ministered to through several walks have seen profound changes in my life, as I have seen in theirs due to Emmaus. Along with the honor of being on multiple Emmaus walks I have been given the opportunities to be an Assistant Table Leader, Table Leader, and most recently Assistant Lay Director, I also have given talks on Life of Piety, Discipleship, and 4th Day. I believe that face to face, heart to heart, and spirit to spirit encounters with Jesus happen daily, but being in His presence for 3 days can change the way we seek Him for a lifetime. DeColores! |
Tyler Kraft
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Tyler Kraft
My name is Tyler Kraft. My wife Lindsey and I have three children, Benjamin, Malachi and Clementine. We attend Hillside Christian Church South Campus. Emmaus means so much to me! My walk showed me the love that God has for me and how that love extends to everyone. It has challenged me to see others as He sees them and love them where they’re at, just like He loves me where I’m at. My walk also pushed me to spend time in God’s word regularly. Through my time in the Word He reveals himself to me and He fortifies my heart and prepares me for whatever might come my way. My Emmaus Walk was walk number 238. I’ve served as assistant table leader and have given two talks, Grow Through Study as well as Changing Our World. Thank you! |
Cheryl Falke
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Cheryl Falke
I went on walk 235 in October 2013. To say it changed my life is an understatement. Through Emmaus I have learned how to let myself be loved and to love others as Christ has called us all to do. This community is a big extended family and I would be honored to serve on this board. Over the last 8 years I've found so much joy, friendship, love and acceptance in this community. I've spent time surrounded by and bringing others into this community every chance I get; including Behind the Scenes: Emmaus 5+, Chrysalis 2, Assistant Table Leader: Emmaus 1, Table Leader: Emmaus 2, Chrysalis 3, Assistant Lay Director: Emmaus 1, Sponsorship: 1 Caterpillar, 5 women, 4 men. I am currently serving as the Chrysalis Registrar and also speak at Bridges to Life at the Neal Unit several times a year. I've been married for 25 years to my husband Ken, have 4 grown children and 3 grandhumans, 1 dog, 2 cats and a pond full of fish. |
Laura Owen
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Laura Owen
Dear Community, I am interested in being a participant on the Emmaus Board of Directors. I attended my walk #167 on February 13-16, 2003. That weekend I rededicated my life to Christ, I had never felt so much love for me from others that I barely knew. Since going on the walk I have felt closer to the Lord than I had before. I had never experienced communion like it is done with Emmaus. It was awesome. My husband and I have sponsored many women to attend the Walk to Emmaus and we both have served on the teams as well as behind the scenes. We enjoy making agape for the pilgrims. This is something that we are able to do together. I have served as an assistant table leader, a table leader several times, assistant Lay Director twice and I have also had the pleasure to be a Lay Director on Walk #263. That truly blessed my life. I have helped my husband, Art, at candlelight helping with the laptop music. My husband and I have gone to Mexico 7 times to build houses for Casas Por Christo. We have gone to Jamaica with our church to help with VBS. I have served on many Kairos Outside teams as assistant table leader, table leader, and angel coordinator. I have served on the Kairos Board as the fundraising coordinator. I am currently working with my granddaughters in getting them involved in church. They both went to church camp this summer and came back very excited. They are including their friends each week on Sundays and Wednesday evenings. I love being the hands and feet of Christ and even using my car for the Lord to get the girls to church. I would like for you to consider voting for me to be one of the Board of Directors of Emmaus. Thank you. |
Redawna Fowler
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Redawna Fowler
I would consider it an honor to be considered for the Emmaus board! Here is my experience with Emmaus: I am not sure of the dates, and even the talks, but I do know I love Jesus, and I love seeing him work in these women's lives! I am married to Tom Fowler for 22 years. Together we raised 7 daughters. We have a yorkie named Nala, and a cat named Molly. We enjoy spending time with our grandkids and family. And traveling the world.
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Charlotte Thomas
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Charlotte Thomas
Hello, I am Charlotte Thomas, and I went on Walk #174. I have been active in Emmaus ever since then. I have worked numerous walks, and I think I have given every talk except the clergy talks. I was lay director on walk 257 in October of 2017. I have worked behind the scenes numerous times because that is really the most rewarding for me – anonymous servant-hood. Emmaus has always been an important part of our entire family’s life and we continue to sponsor folks and work behind the scenes and be active in the community. I truly believe that everyone is: Worthy, and Everyone is important to our Lord. I pray blessings for you and your entire family! I am married to Brian (the sheriff of Potter County) for 30 years. We attend St Stephen’s United Methodist Church and have for the last 25 years. We have two beautiful daughters - Madison, who is an RN in the ER at BSA, married to Lance and they have two beautiful children, Lily and Walker with # 3 on the way. And McKenna, who teaches 4th grade English Language Arts and Reading at Highland Park. I work full time at Pantex and have for the last 30 years. We are active members of our church and we also volunteer with the Amarillo Downtown Kiwanis. |
Stephnie Menke
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Stephnie Menke
Hello! My name is Stephnie Menke. On my Walk, Walk #225, my love and faith for Christ was rekindled and renewed. The agape love I felt while on my Walk flowed to my 4th Days and made me feel excited and eager to share God’s love with others, once again. The Walk to Emmaus experience is one that I pray many more will have the opportunity to participate in. I have been privileged to work on Walks #245, #253, #257 and #267 and have given the following talks: Body of Christ, Growth Through Study and Fourth Day. I attend The Church at Bushland with my husband Michael Menke, our 4 children and their spouses, and 5 of our 7 grandchildren. I serve as the Potter County District Clerk and would be honored to serve as a representative on the Emmaus Board. Thank you for your consideration. |
Tracy Smothermon
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Tracy Smothermon
Hey – so I’m Tracy Smothermon – I have been married to my BFF for 2 months short of 30 years. We have three boys, two are grown and we have a junior at Canyon High School. We like to spend our extra time doing DIY projects to whatever we can find – currently our entire house. I want to be like Joanna Gaines – but I’m actually more like Chip (I like to demo). I spend most of my extra time doing High School Football mom things – everything from decorating the locker room, to wearing as much purple as possible. My husband and I lead a Hillside Small Group on Sunday evenings, and I teach bible study once a week to seniors with dementia. My Emmaus Walk was #235 I’ve been Asst Table Leader on a Chrysalis(can’t remember the #) and also on Emmaus Walk #253, and was a table leader on Walk # 259. Oh, and I love Jesus with all my heart, soul and strength!! |