Staff
Dr. Johnny Pope
Senior Pastor
A favorite preacher for many, Dr. Johnny Pope is in constant demand for churches and conferences coast to coast, and spanning the globe. Although preaching in many pulpits, his life call has been to remain pastor of Christchurch Baptist Fellowship of Houston, TX. In 2026 Dr. Pope will celebrate his 45th year as pastor and the 56th year of his preaching ministry. His ministry is not only characterized by faithfulness and integrity, but also defined by a vibrant prayer life and a reputation for rightly dividing the Word of Truth. His compassion for the lost, and his warm friendship to the Body of Christ is a hallmark of his calling. Dr. and Mrs. Pope have been married since 1973, and have four children and fifteen grandchildren.
Ryan Cozart
Associate/Executive Pastor
Pastor Cozart accepted Christ at the age of four and had the privilege of growing up in a wonderful Christian home with parents who consistently served in their church. Both of his grandfathers served faithfully as pastors of Baptist churches in the Midwest and Southern states, leaving a lasting influence on his life and ministry. At the age of sixteen, he surrendered to the call to preach.
In 2004, he attended Hyles-Anderson College, where he met his wife, Rena. Together, the Lord has blessed them with three children: Jude, Emma, and Elijah. Pastor Cozart later graduated from Belle Meadows Baptist College in Bristol, Virginia, with a degree in Pastoral Theology and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Biblical Counseling from West Coast Baptist College.
From 2012 to 2016, he served as Youth Pastor at Second Baptist Church in Festus, Missouri. Following that, the Lord led him and his family to Newton, Mississippi, where he served as the senior Pastor of Cedar Grove Baptist Church for approximately nine years.
In March of 2025, Pastor Cozart joined the ministry of Christchurch Baptist Fellowship as Associate Pastor. As Associate Pastor, Pastor Cozart faithfully serves under Pastor Pope by helping carry the ministry load through preaching, counseling, visitation, and providing leadership in the administrative aspects of church operations. He and his family are excited to serve and are eager to see how the Lord will continue to work through this ministry for His glory.
Jared Matthews
Associate Pastor/Minister of Music
Pastor Jared Matthews was saved at the age of 5 at Pevely Baptist Church in Missouri. He met his wife Heather at Pensacola Christian College where they both received music degrees before beginning their ministry together at Sunter Bible Church and Sunter Christian Academy in Sunder, South Carolina. Jared served as music director there from 1999-2006 and then moved to McDonough, Georgia where he served from 2006-2008 as music director of Peoples Baptist Academy, a ministry of Peoples Baptist Church. In December of 2008, he returned to his childhood hometown of Festus Missouri where he was appointed music director of Second Baptist Church and Twin City Christian Academy. In 2014, he also became assistant pastor, principal of the school, and director of Living Springs Camp. He continued serving in these positions until the Lord moved to work with his father-in-law, Dr. Johnny Pope in January of 2018 as associate pastor/music director of Christchurch Baptist Fellowship. Jared and Heather have three children.
Jonathan Mills
Assistant/Youth Pastor
Pastor Jonathan Mills serves as the Christchurch youth pastor. He has filled many roles at Christchurch, including serving on the deacon board for two terms.
Pastor Mills is currently studying for a bachelor of Biblical Studies in Local Church Leadership from The Crown College. In Addition, Jon is an experienced heavy equipment mechanic, a background proven to be a great asset for Christchurch facilities management.
Jonathan was saved at the age of 17 at church camp. A native Texan, Pastor Mills has been married to his beautiful wife Erica since 2012, and they have three beautiful daughters.
Erica Mills
Administrative Assistant
Erica Mills holds the position of Christchurch administrative assistant. Erica’s creativity extends to her position as church administrative assistant. She enjoys managing email correspondence, producing church bulletins, organizing song service music, working with her husband Jonathan to coordinate youth activities, and performing countless administrative tasks.
Erica was born and raised in California in a Christian home. Saved at the age of eight, Erica moved to Texas in 2007. She has been married to Pastor Jonathan Mills since 2012 and is a proud mama to three beautiful girls.
Kevin Troutman
Assistant Pastor/Financial Director
Kevin Troutman came to know Christ as his Savior at the age of fifteen while attending Triple S Christian Ranch. Later that same year, he surrendered to the call to ministry.
He graduated from The Crown College in Powell, Tennessee, in 2021 with a Bachelor’s degree in Pastoral Ministry, where he also met his wife, Melissa. They were married shortly after his graduation and have been faithfully walking together in ministry since. Kevin is currently pursuing his Master’s of Ministry degree from Crown College.
Kevin joined the Christchurch staff in May 2025 and currently serves as Assistant Pastor, overseeing the church’s financial operations while contributing to the ministry and spiritual life of the congregation.
John Stoughton
Facilities Manager
John Stoughton came to know Christ as his Savior at the age of ten during summer camp. In 1978, he married his high school sweetheart, Cathy, whom he first met at church. Together, they have faithfully served the Lord for more than four decades. God has blessed them with three children, Christie, Johnny, and Emily, and five grandchildren. Over the years, many of the children in the church have also come to lovingly call him “Pop.”
John enjoyed a 45-year career with Exelon Generation, retiring as a maintenance manager and master electrician. In 2013, he joined Christchurch as Facilities Manager, where he continues to use his gifts and experience to maintain a welcoming environment for worship and ministry. His faithful service reflects his love for the Lord and his heart for God’s people.
Victoria Lord
Retired Executive Secretary
Mrs. Victoria Lord faithfully served as the Executive Secretary of Christchurch Baptist Fellowship for over forty years and is now enjoying a well-deserved retirement. Her sweet spirit, unwavering dedication, and friendly demeanor became the heart of our church office, earning her the affectionate title from Dr. Pope as “The Best Secretary in the World.”
During her remarkable tenure, Mrs. Lord exemplified efficiency, loyalty, and a Christlike spirit. She faithfully managed reports, payroll, correspondence, and scheduling for Dr. Pope’s meetings, conferences, and travel, making significant contributions to the ministry of Christchurch Baptist Fellowship.
Even in retirement, Mrs. Lord remains a devoted member of Christchurch, continuing to bless the church family with her faithful presence, wisdom, and warm encouragement. Her legacy of service and love will be remembered for generations.