test

Taylor Baggett is the Student Ministry Intern here at Benchmark Bible church. Previously she served as an intern/leader with Denton Bible student ministries, as well as  helped with worship from 2016-2018. She was born in Wichita Falls, but grew up right here in Denton! She has a passion for encouraging her middle school girls to know the Lord deeper, and is overjoyed to be a part of what God is doing in this church. She also loves helping out with the worship team here at Benchmark, hanging out with her friends, and drinking all the coffee!

Chris Wilson is the Lead Pastor at Benchmark Bible Church. Chris started Benchmark in 2013 and has served in multiple churches and ministries over the past 24 years.  He received his Undergraduate degree from the University of North Texas and his Masters degree from Dallas Theological Seminary. Chris is passionate about seeing people understand God’s Word, apply it to their life, and join God in the amazing ministry He has for them. Apart from ministry, Chris enjoys coaching his children in sports, golfing, hunting, and game nights with friends.  He and his wife Joleen have been married for 19 years and have two children, Cuin and Jovi.

Kendra joins the Benchmark team with a passion for Christ, discipleship, and Bible teaching. She holds a BA in Bible and Family Ministry from Manhattan Christian College and a MA in Media and Communication from Dallas Theological Seminary. Her past serving opportunities include Children’s Ministry Secretary, Children’s Ministry Elementary Coordinator, and College and Young Adult Ministry Assistant at Mount Pleasant Christian Church in Greenwood, Indiana. At Denton Bible Church Kendra served in ChurchLife, Adult Ministries, and later in Student Ministries. She and her husband, Brad, love living in Denton, being involved in the community, gardening at Shiloh Field, and watching movies. Together they are learning how to build a home for God’s glory and consider it an honor to serve the Lord among the Benchmark family.

Matthew Heffner has been leading worship at Benchmark Bible Church alongside Ryan “Mac” McDonald since January, 2015. He has lead praise and worship for several ministries over the years and has been involved in children’s ministry at Denton Bible Church since 2004. Matt works as a paramedic and and also enjoys writing and performing his own music in and around Denton.  He is very passionate about music ministry and meeting other musicians/singers/songwriters with the same aspirations. Matt lives in Denton.

Courtney is the Children’s Ministry Pre-K Coordinator at Benchmark Bible Church. She has served in children’s ministry at Denton Bible Church alongside my husband Talon since college.  Eventually became the Toddler Team Lead where she fell in the love with teaching children about Jesus as they were learning to talk. She has always had a passion for children and Jesus, and KIDS ministry is a perfect.

Courtney loves living in Denton where she competed for TWU gymnastics, and graduated with my BBA in Marketing, as well as an Executive MBA.  Courtney has been married for 9 years to her high school sweetheart Talon, and they have two beautiful children TJ, and Brynlee.

Adam Spencer moved to Denton to attend the University of North Texas where he got his bachelors in German, which led him into overseas missions.  But before going overseas he served with Chris and Kendra in Student Ministries at Denton Bible where he found a passion for working with teenagers and students.  After moving back to Denton he joined the Benchmark Staff as the Youth Pastor!  He still has a heart for missions and what God is doing globally.  Besides ministry Adam loves the outdoors and being active and spontaneous.  He also enjoys meeting new people, traveling, and having adventures with friends.

John Ball is the Outreach Director at Benchmark Bible Church. At the age of 7 his family was shipwrecked by alcoholism and he entered into the foster care system. By the age of 17 he was quite a mess. But the risen Jesus still seeks and saves the lost! Now for forty five years, John joyously cannot stop telling how Jesus saves and loves encouraging others to share the gospel with him. John is a graduate of Criswell College, majoring in Theology and Psychology. He and his wife Dana have been married 37 years and have two married children and 5 fun grandchildren.

Nick Watts is the Student Ministry Intern at Benchmark Bible Church.

“I was born and raised in Denton, TX. I love spending quality time with friends, playing music, and staying active! I love to see students come together and understand the value of having a real relationship with Jesus. I also love a good joke or two.” 

Ryan McDonald, also known as “Mac”, is a Denton native. He met his wife Jessica while attending Midwestern State University.  They have been married for fifteen years and are the proud parents of Libby and Matthew. Mac has led worship in a variety of settings including youth and college events, starting a contemporary service at First Presbyterian Church in Wichita Falls, and assisted with starting a worship team at Sage Meadow Christian Fellowship in Justin.  Mac feels called to grow a community of musicians that love the Lord and want to use their talents for His glory.  He is excited about being a part of worship at Benchmark Bible.

Chris Wilson is the Lead Pastor at Benchmark Bible Church. Chris started Benchmark in 2013 and has served in multiple churches and ministries over the past 24 years.  He received his Undergraduate degree from the University of North Texas and his Masters degree from Dallas Theological Seminary. Chris is passionate about seeing people understand God’s Word, apply it to their life, and join God in the amazing ministry He has for them. Apart from ministry, Chris enjoys coaching his children in sports, golfing, hunting, and game nights with friends.  He and his wife Joleen have been married for 19 years and have two children, Cuin and Jovi.

Mary Borges is the Women’s Ministry Director at Benchmark. One of her greatest joys is hearing about the work of the Lord in the lives of women.  Mary received her B.S. in psychology from Oklahoma City University in 1992 and her M.S.Ed. In deaf education from the University of Kansas in 1994.  Mary taught early childhood deaf education in Fort Worth and Denton ISD for 6 years before staying home to raise her family.  Mary and Mitchell have an adult son, Nathan, who has autism, and two teenagers, Anna and Aaron. Before coming to Benchmark, Mary was the Executive Director of The Little Light House-Denton, a non-profit ministry that served young children with disabilities and their families and pointed them to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  Mary has served in women’s ministry at Benchmark since 2013 and was hired in 2020 as our Women’s Ministry Director.  Mary enjoys facilitating Bible studies, hosting fellowship with family and friends, laughing and playing games, story-telling and children’s literature, and searching for garage sale treasures.

Taylor Baggett is the Student Ministry Intern here at Benchmark Bible church. Previously she served as an intern/leader with Denton Bible student ministries, as well as  helped with worship from 2016-2018. She was born in Wichita Falls, but grew up right here in Denton! She has a passion for encouraging her middle school girls to know the Lord deeper, and is overjoyed to be a part of what God is doing in this church. She also loves helping out with the worship team here at Benchmark, hanging out with her friends, and drinking all the coffee!

Kendra joins the Benchmark team with a passion for Christ, discipleship, and Bible teaching. She holds a BA in Bible and Family Ministry from Manhattan Christian College and a MA in Media and Communication from Dallas Theological Seminary. Her past serving opportunities include Children’s Ministry Secretary, Children’s Ministry Elementary Coordinator, and College and Young Adult Ministry Assistant at Mount Pleasant Christian Church in Greenwood, Indiana. At Denton Bible Church Kendra served in ChurchLife, Adult Ministries, and later in Student Ministries. She and her husband, Brad, love living in Denton, being involved in the community, gardening at Shiloh Field, and watching movies. Together they are learning how to build a home for God’s glory and consider it an honor to serve the Lord among the Benchmark family.

Matthew Heffner has been leading worship at Benchmark Bible Church alongside Ryan “Mac” McDonald since January, 2015. He has lead praise and worship for several ministries over the years and has been involved in children’s ministry at Denton Bible Church since 2004. Matt works as a paramedic and and also enjoys writing and performing his own music in and around Denton.  He is very passionate about music ministry and meeting other musicians/singers/songwriters with the same aspirations. Matt lives in Denton.

Courtney is the Children’s Ministry Pre-K Coordinator at Benchmark Bible Church. She has served in children’s ministry at Denton Bible Church alongside my husband Talon since college.  Eventually became the Toddler Team Lead where she fell in the love with teaching children about Jesus as they were learning to talk. She has always had a passion for children and Jesus, and KIDS ministry is a perfect.

Courtney loves living in Denton where she competed for TWU gymnastics, and graduated with my BBA in Marketing, as well as an Executive MBA.  Courtney has been married for 9 years to her high school sweetheart Talon, and they have two beautiful children TJ, and Brynlee.

Adam Spencer moved to Denton to attend the University of North Texas where he got his bachelors in German, which led him into overseas missions.  But before going overseas he served with Chris and Kendra in Student Ministries at Denton Bible where he found a passion for working with teenagers and students.  After moving back to Denton he joined the Benchmark Staff as the Youth Pastor!  He still has a heart for missions and what God is doing globally.  Besides ministry Adam loves the outdoors and being active and spontaneous.  He also enjoys meeting new people, traveling, and having adventures with friends.

John Ball is the Outreach Director at Benchmark Bible Church. At the age of 7 his family was shipwrecked by alcoholism and he entered into the foster care system. By the age of 17 he was quite a mess. But the risen Jesus still seeks and saves the lost! Now for forty five years, John joyously cannot stop telling how Jesus saves and loves encouraging others to share the gospel with him. John is a graduate of Criswell College, majoring in Theology and Psychology. He and his wife Dana have been married 37 years and have two married children and 5 fun grandchildren.

I love serving in the Children’s ministry it has been a passion of mine for many years. I started serving at a local church in Sunday School & Security eventually directing their VBS program. During this time, the Lord led me to childcare. I have worked alongside many different ministries providing childcare, loving on children, while providing a safe environment for them to learn about Jesus. My passion is to ensure our children are safe, feel loved, and know who Jesus Christ is. When I joined the Benchmark family I prayed the Lord would use the gifts He had so graciously given me. The Lord has answered this prayer and allowed me to serve the body providing childcare for our kiddos.
We have lived in Denton for 12 years and love it! I have a degree in Computer Science & a degree in Business Management & Marketing. I have been married for 18 years to my high school sweetheart and have 3 children.

Nick Watts is the Student Ministry Intern at Benchmark Bible Church.

“I was born and raised in Denton, TX. I love spending quality time with friends, playing music, and staying active! I love to see students come together and understand the value of having a real relationship with Jesus. I also love a good joke or two.” 

Ryan McDonald, also known as “Mac”, is a Denton native. He met his wife Jessica while attending Midwestern State University.  They have been married for fifteen years and are the proud parents of Libby and Matthew. Mac has led worship in a variety of settings including youth and college events, starting a contemporary service at First Presbyterian Church in Wichita Falls, and assisted with starting a worship team at Sage Meadow Christian Fellowship in Justin.  Mac feels called to grow a community of musicians that love the Lord and want to use their talents for His glory.  He is excited about being a part of worship at Benchmark Bible.

Margaret Ashmore is the Director of the Soul Care Ministry here at Benchmark Bible where she also teaches women’s bible studies. She is a frequent speaker at women’s retreats and conferences as well as an author and artist. Margaret is a breast and thyroid cancer survivor. For more information, please visit www.margaretashmore.com