Bio

John serves as IT Director at Houston's First, where his team spends most days doing the unglamorous, essential work of clearing digital roadblocks so ministries can focus on what matters. After 12 years on staff, he still loves seeing technology used to make Jesus known. During that time he has also developed an intense dislike of printers.

John graduated Texas A&M University (Fighting Texas Aggie class of '01) with a degree in Construction Science, which has helped him in IT none at all. It was at A&M where he met his wife, Kristina. Together they have three daughters who have conspired to have three weddings in as many years.

John and Kristina have served the church as Life Bible Study directors for over 15 years at The Loop and Cypress Campuses. When he's not directing or asking you to please reboot, John "enjoys" cycling with his friends from the Cypress Campus.

Breakout

AI is everywhere. How did we get here, where is it going, and what do we do with it today? We'll look at it in plain terms and discuss good and bad use cases for AI. Buckle up, because this breakout will include plenty of live demos showing the tools you have at your disposal and how they can help you in your day-to-day.

Bio

Lanie Allred is our first ever Culture and Growth Initiatives Director! Originally an Okie, Lanie’s heart seeks “calculated adventure” and can list living in New York City and Northern Spain on her resume. After moving back to Houston during Covid, she joined Team First in 2021 and has served in several different capacities since then. Lanie's excited to use her unique experiences in this new role to take Houston’s First to the next level! As our church continues to expand across campuses and cultures, Lanie acts as a bridge of Executive Leadership to support all campuses in staff engagement and development. She intentionally cultivates a culture of excellence that reflects our mission, vision, and values across differing campus contexts. 99% of the time, you’ll catch her with a snack in hand or on her desk, but when she’s OOO Lanie is usually spending quality time with friends, taking care of her plant babies or thrifting.

Breakout

You got the job! Now what? If you’ve been on Team First for less than a year, this special breakout is for you. You’ve heard of Fish Camp.. well, welcome to First Camp! You’ll get to know other new staff, put together the Rubik’s cube of our 9 words, and leave with a better grasp on our culture here at Houston’s First. So, get ready to learn, share some stories and laughs, and hear from a surprise visitor!  

Bio

As Director of Communications at Houston’s First, Amanda tells stories of God’s faithfulness through thoughtful, strategic communication. She spent her career leading marketing and public relations efforts before joining Team First and considers it a joy to use those same gifts in service to a mission with eternal impact. Amanda loves bringing clarity to complexity, collaborating with ministry teams, and finding just the right words to encourage, inform, and inspire. A native of Mississippi and a graduate of Mississippi College, Amanda got to Texas "as fast as she could" and married a native Houstonian who smokes a mean brisket. She believes good communication builds trust, the Astros will win it all again someday, and cruises are wildly underrated.

Breakout

Learn simple communication strategies and practical RockRMS tips that help you spend less time managing details and more time serving people. Presenters: Amanda Brown, Director of Communications Nguyen Nguyen, Senior Developer

Bio

As Senior Developer at Houston's First, Nguyen helps lead the Development Team in designing, building, and supporting digital solutions that support our ministries, staff, and leaders. He enjoys solving complex problems behind the scenes, creating tools that make ministry more effective, and finding practical ways technology can support the mission of the church. Nguyen believes the best technology serves people, a good cup of coffee is worth slowing down for, and some of life's best conversations happen in nature.

Breakout

Learn simple communication strategies and practical RockRMS tips that help you spend less time managing details and more time serving people. Presenters: Amanda Brown, Director of Communications Nguyen Nguyen, Senior Developer

Bio

Aimee Golladay serves as a Student Ministry Associate at the Cypress Campus, where she is passionate about investing in and encouraging the next generation of students to become lifelong disciples of Jesus. She gets the joy of equipping Pathmakers, planning ministry events, and walking alongside middle and high school girls as they grow in their faith… and she is convinced she has the best job in the world! Aimee graduated from Texas A&M University in 2023 with a degree in Communications, officially earning Gen Z status— and she promises she is one of the good ones! When she's not at church, you'll find her spending time with friends, obsessing over books and movies, laughing at memes, and going on walks.

Breakout

Ever wondered what "lowkey," "cooked," or "aura" actually means? Maybe you can't figure out why your Gen Z coworker would rather send three texts than make a 5-minute phone call. Or perhaps you’re baffled by how your kids can binge a 20-minute YouTube video at 2x speed but absolutely refuse to sit through a 30-second commercial? If you've ever found yourself asking, "Why are they like this?"—you're not alone. This session will give a fun, practical look at the generation that's reshaping churches and culture. We'll unpack what's fact, what's fiction, and how to better relate, lead, and minister to Gen Z. You'll leave with fresh perspective, practical tools, and maybe even enough vocabulary to impress a teenager (results not guaranteed).