Our Pastors & Staff

SENIOR PASTOR

Dr. Jason Lancaster grew up in Dallas. He attended Arkansas Tech University and Dallas Theological Seminary, and he received his Doctor of Ministry from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Prior to becoming the Senior Pastor of Village Bible Church, he was the Senior Pastor of Evanston Bible Fellowship in the Chicago area from 2004-2018 and a Senior Pastor of a church in Santa Monica, California from 1997-2004.

Jason is married to Melissa, and they have seven children.

ASSOCIATE PASTOR

Rev. Jim Neal got his theological training at Grand Rapids Baptist College (now Cornerstone University) in Grand Rapids, Michigan with dual majors in music and Bible. He served with several parachurch ministries for 30 years, including World Vision, Youth for Christ and Dad the Family Shepherd.

He and his wife, Ruth have 4 children, 15 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

PASTOR OF CARE MINISTRIES

Elsen was born in Brazil and moved to Texas in 1981.  He and Michelle met in a Sunday School class in Bible College in TX and were married in 1985.  Today, they have 4 children and 9 grandchildren. During the last 3 decades, they have served in the music ministry in the US, as missionaries in Germany for 11 years, short-term missions’ leaders, then again 3 years in music ministry in Brazil and as a researcher of local indigenous music. Elsen has also served as interim pastor for 2 congregations and has continued to serve in college administration, teaching, arts advocacy in ministry, and as collaborative pianist.  

Elsen holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in music, post-graduate studies in World Arts, and a theological PhD in Ethnodoxology.  He has a desire to encourage God’s people to worship not only through music, but by ministering to and caring for one another through their God-given artistic gifts and abilities.

DIRECTOR OF WORSHIP MINISTRIES

Originally from California, Adam has devoted over 20 years to music ministry and shepherding God’s people. He holds a B.A. in Music with an emphasis in trumpet performance from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and a Master’s Degree in Music with an emphasis in choral conducting from California Baptist University.

In 2021, Adam, his wife Kami, and their son Evan followed God’s leading to Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. Since then, Adam has joyfully used his passion for music to help lead others in worshiping God while also shepherding them in their faith. Outside of church ministry, Adam has supported various churches and organizations with their design, technical, administrative, and leadership needs. He also enjoys teaching music and worship ministry classes at Champion Christian College. Kami and Evan spend their weekdays at Fountain Lake Middle School, where Evan is a student and Kami teaches 5th grade. Outside of work, Adam loves hiking, coffee, playing pickleball, and of course spending quality time with family and friends. 

OFFICE MANAGER

OFFICE ASSISTANT