Staff and Leadership

Rev. Russ Boyd

Senior Minister

Russ began serving as our Senior Minister in May of 2017. A native of Radford, Virginia, Russ earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina as a Religion and Political Science double major in 2000. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University in 2003, and was ordained by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) after graduation. He is currently pursuing his Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California.


During his seminary years, Russ served as Youth Minister at Creekwood Christian Church in Flower Mound, Texas. After graduation and ordination, he accepted a call to serve as Associate Minister at Collierville Christian Church near Memphis, Tennessee. In 2007, Russ was called as Associate Minister for Youth at University Christian Church of Fort Worth where he served for nearly 10 years.


A graduate of Furman University’s Army ROTC program, Russ serves as a chaplain in the Army Reserve. He is currently assigned to the 807th Theater Medical Command in Salt Lake City, Utah, and recently completed a Master of Strategic Studies through the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.


Outside of church, Russ enjoys traveling and finding great restaurants (if you’re familiar with the Enneagram, he is a 7), dabbling in home improvement projects, and cooking. Russ’ wife, Sarah, is also a lifelong Disciple and TCU alumna, and they have four children.


Ryan wilkerson

minister of outreach

Ryan first connected with our church as a Connect Ministries (now Be The Neighbor) staff member in the summer of 2022, and shortly afterward joined our staff as Interim Associate Minister from August 2022 until May 2023. A native of Fort Worth, Ryan is a graduate of Chapman University (BA, Integrated Educational Studies; MA, Leadership Development) and Vanderbilt Divinity School (Master of Divinity). Before returning to Fort Worth in 2022, Ryan served as Camp Minister & Manager for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Virginia, overseeing the programs and operations of Craig Springs Camp & Retreat Center. After a summer serving as Interim Director of the Christian Conference Center in Newton, Iowa, he rejoined our staff in October 2023 as Minister of Outreach. In this 5 hr/wk role, Ryan coordinates our church's outreach programs and partnerships that make a difference in our community. In addition to his role at Ridglea, Ryan also serves as the Community & Donor Engagement Coordinator for Ronald McDonald House.

Alex Carr

Choir Director

From Alex: I grew up in Cedar Hill, Texas where I was the fourth of seven children.  I received my bachelors degree in Music Education from Texas Christian University in 2009, and my MM in Choral Conducting from TCU in 2011. At TCU, I served as the Drum Major of the Horned Frog Marching Band, an Associate Justice in Student Government, and as the Conducting Graduate Assistant of the TCU Choral Department. I currently teach choir in a local school district in the Fort Worth area. I came to Ridglea Christian Church as a stereotypical poor music student simply looking for work. I have truly been blessed to be included into such a wonderful and inclusive congregation.

Sarah Becker

Pianist/organist

Sarah grew up in Fort Worth attending University Christian Church, and made her way to Ridglea as organist in October 2015.  She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music from Trinity University in San Antonio in 2013, and her Master of Music in Musical Instrument Research from the University of Edinburgh in Edinburgh, Scotland in 2015. Sarah has served as a choral accompanist for Irving ISD since 2019. She and her wife, Katie, were married in Ridglea's sanctuary in 2021 and live in Fort Worth. 


Herbert murray

Office administrator

Herb is a lifelong Disciple who grew up in the Houston area and earned a BA in Psychology and Art History from TCU. He has previously served in youth ministry and worship leader roles at Cypress Creek Christian Church, First Christian Church of Katy, University Christian Church of Fort Worth, and Mosaic Church of Fort Worth. In addition to his role overseeing office operations and communications at Ridglea, Herb serves as Youth & Children's Minister at Westwind Christian Church in Keller.


Herb is also a talented designer and art director who earned a BA in Advertising Design from the Art Institute of Fort Worth. Over the last decade he has done contract and in-house work with numerous businesses and organizations and now primarily does freelance work as the owner of Agency Studiolo.


Cecily Newman

ministry intern

Cecily first came to our church in 2024 as a Summer Intern through the Justice & Creation Summer Fellowship funded by the Green Chalice Program. Since completing that internship, she has continued to serve at our church in a variety of roles: caring for children in our nursery, leading Worship & Wonder, supporting garden and homeless ministries, and now as Ministry Intern she primarily plans and leads our youth group and related programs. Cecily earned a BA in Anthropology with a minor in Classical Studies from TCU and is currently pursuing a Master of Education in Teaching and elementary teaching certification at the University of North Texas. 

Mollie Donihe Wilkerson

Artist-in-residence

Mollie first joined our staff in September 2022 as Office Administrator, and left in March 2023 to keep up with her growing textile arts business. We're thrilled that she returned to our staff in December 2023 as Artist-in-Residence. In this 3 hr/wk role, Mollie shares her artistic and creative gifts to enrich our worship services, small groups, sacred spaces, and other areas of church life.


A native of Roanoke, Virginia, Mollie is a graduate of Warren Wilson College (BA, Social Work) and Vanderbilt Divinity School (Master of Divinity) where she met her husband, Ryan (yes, our Minister of Outreach). Additionally, Mollie earned a Certificate in Spiritual Direction and Social Transformation through the Center for Prophetic Imagination and the Minnesota Institute of Contemplation and Healing (MICAH). You can learn more about Mollie's art on her website or see her in action on her Instagram.

Emily James

Children's Worship Coordinator

Emily is a native of San Angelo and an undergraduate at TCU, where she is double majoring in Modern Dance and Psychology with a minor in Ceramics. She joined our staff in 2023 on Easter Sunday and coordinates our Sunday morning children's programming, providing a consistent presence to oversee the PRAYground, Worship & Wonder, and other opportunities for kids.

NATE EVANS

custodian

After Nate moved into an apartment near the church, he found a special place where he could volunteer for a couple of days every week helping out with odd jobs and small tasks around the property. Eventually Nate became our official church custodian, and takes great pride in caring for our building and grounds during the week and serving as a dedicated lay leader on Sundays. If you notice an area of the building that looks especially beautiful, be sure to let Nate know!