Since 2010, Hometown Missions has assisted well over a hundred neighbors in the Dripping Springs area. We are a mostly volunteer non-profit, with one paid staff that started May 2022, and we rely on the resources of our community.
We know there will always be a need in Afghanistan, Africa, Haiti, and areas hit by calamity. Many of us will participate in a mission overseas and help needy people. We also know that you don’t have to travel thousands of miles to perform missionary-type work.
Our Board
Dave Edwards: President
Dave is a retired Dripping Springs banker who has been actively involved in the community for over 35 years. He currently serves on various city and non-profit boards, and he is an elder at Hill Country Bible Church Dripping Springs. He believes that Hometown Missions can positively impact the lives of our less fortunate neighbors in Dripping Springs not only through improved housing but also by fostering genuine relationships with them.
lynn osler: secretary
Lynn moved to Central Texas in 1983 and began a career with State Farm in 1985– a blessing which gave her the opportunity to learn service to others and problem solve. She, along with her husband Marvin, built a home outside of Dripping Springs in 1999 – loving the rural lifestyle, and adopted four horses and two Schnauzer kids. They joined DS Presbyterian Church six months after it was founded in 2006 and cherish their church family. She joined the Board of Hometown Missions in 2010 and has loved serving the families of Dripping Springs.
chuck lemmond: Vice President
First coming to live here locally in the 1980’s but firmly planting roots in 2000 with Tracy, their kids have begun their lives here and grown up with the community. Through a career set in homebuilding, along with a powerful desire and commitment to faithfully serve in a sustainable way, this mission fits perfectly. Chuck has been part of Hometown Missions before it even had a name. He is humbled by where this mission started; with just an idea to help a family in need, and a hope to succeed with 1 thing: provide a family of five with safe, sustainable housing. Chuck continues to be inspired by how the Dripping Springs community comes together, time and again, to joyfully serve their neighbors!
gary looper: Treasurer
Most of Gary’s adult life has involved the development and delivery of services to folks and friends in need. That started with medical missionary work in the mountains of Central America and continued through oversight of hospitals and healthcare services in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. Now the work of Hometown Missions allows him to focus his skills, his experiences, and his faith to help new friends close to home achieve advancements in their living conditions and fulfillment in their living experiences.
patsy ward
Patsy Reneau Ward, social worker, life long learner and faithful Catholic. Just a woman, living in the world with you. Devoted to the protection of children and helping people stabilize their lives through improved housing and community support, she strives to live her life by adherence to the corporal acts of mercy: Feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, visit the imprisoned and bury the dead.
trey powers
Trey has a long history of serving in charitable and civic roles. Along with his roll at Hometown Missions, He currently serves as Vice President of the DS Chamber of Commerce, Secretary/Treasurer of the Hays County Farm Bureau Board of Directors, and is the original founder, past president and a current board member of the Lone Star Cattlemen Foundation. He serves on the First Impressions Team and is an active member of Austin Ridge Bible Church Dripping Springs. He is married to his best friend Kim and has two children and four step children.
Mark Cuda
Mark retired to Driftwood in 2018 after a career in business and a history of mission work, especially overseas. Along with wife Debbie, the joined Dripping Springs Methodist Church shortly afterwards. He serves on the board of the Adam McCauley Family Cancer Foundation and works with Protect our Water. Local charities like these and Hometown Missions are how he feels called to God’s work and a better community.
Janice Englehart
Janice and her husband, Peter, moved to Dripping Springs from California in 2013 after searching for a small-town Christian community to raise their two boys. Originally from the East Coast, she credits the Lord with leading them here. She quickly became involved by joining the Dripping Springs Women’s Club where she has served as President since 2020. She has been actively volunteering with DSISD, DS Methodist Church, Austin Ridge Bible Church, and was a founding member of the local chapter of the Young Men’s Service League. Janice and her sons have volunteered with Hometown Missions for many years. She believes that true joy is found in serving others and was honored to be asked to serve on the board of Hometown Missions.
Laura Sandefer
Laura lived on both US coasts and in between as a child, then settled into central Texas in 1999 with her husband, Jeff. As the happy mother of Sam and Charlie and stepmother to Taite, Laura dedicated the past fifteen years to creating a new model of K-12 learning called Acton Academy along with the Acton Children’s Business Fair. Today there are over 300 Acton Academy locations around the world and over 1,000 Children's Business Fairs impacting the lives of over 16,000 children. Her belief that each human is created with unique potential who deserves to live life in loving connection to others carries into her work serving Hometown Missions. Laura’s love for Jesus motivates her to live out the second great commandment: “to love your neighbor as yourself.”
phylLis snodgrass
Phyllis has been a leader in community engagement for more than two decades and has been firmly committed to positive change for families and communities in Austin and throughout Texas. In addition, she has supported the state’s thriving business culture in leadership roles at multiple Chambers of Commerce. She served in leadership roles at Chambers of Commerce in Athens, Victoria, San Marcos and Austin, Texas as well as at the Texas Association of Businesses. Phyllis has extensive experience in finance and accounting, having worked as a CPA for several businesses before joining the nonprofit world. She also ran her own accounting business, showing an entrepreneurial aptitude that has served her well as a leader. From 2015-2023 Phyllis served as Chief Executive Officer for Austin Habitat for Humanity, turning her talents to one of the most critical issues facing the Austin area: affordable housing. Phyllis is a Certified Chamber of Commerce Executive and graduate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organization Management. Phyllis has been recognized with numerous awards from her decades of leadership including the Executive Leadership Award from the Greater Austin Chamber in 2018 and CEO of the year by the Austin Business Journal in 2019. In 2022 she was honored by ULI Austin with their Vision Award. The Austin Black Business Journal & Community News Magazine recognized Phyllis as a Top 10 Diversity Champions in 2022. In addition, Phyllis was an honoree in the Inaugural Austin Women Leading Real Estate Event in fall of 2022. Lastly, Mayor Steve Adler awarded Phyllis with a Key to the City of Austin in September of 2022 for her hard work and dedication in helping pave the way to provide more affordable housing and creating lasting change in central Texas. Phyllis and her husband Tim reside in Wimberley, Texas where they attend the Austin Ridge Church’s Dripping Springs campus. Together they have 4 adult children, Aaron, Amanda, Ben and Mallary and two grandchildren.
chris kelker-newlan: operations manager
Chris Kelker-Newlan joined Hometown Missions on May 1st, 2022 as our first full-time employee. After a 27-year career working for a large global financial corporation, mostly in technology support, Chris was ready for an opportunity to give back to the community of Drippings Springs. And as a resident in the Dripping Springs area for 20 years he is excited and eager to help our neighbors in need by managing Hometown’s efforts and mission.
Read About Us
February 5, 2024 | 2023 - A year in review: our impact in dripping springs
Join us as we take a heartwarming look back at a year filled with community, compassion, and change in Dripping Springs. This video is a tribute to the tireless volunteers, generous donors, and dedicated organizations that have made a lasting impact on our hometown.
july 27, 2023 | from despair to hope: a brighter future with hometown missions
“Hometown Missions, in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity and the Dripping Springs community, is thrilled to share the inspiring story of Sarah, a resilient woman who is experiencing a remarkable transformation in her life thanks to their collective efforts.”
DS Century News / Read full Article