Meet Our Team

Pastor Marty and Julie Strait are the founders and Senior Pastors of Pathway Church located in Longview, TX. Pastor Marty is a graduate of LeTourneau University and has 20 years of vocational ministry experience. He is a gifted communicator who loves blending humor with truth and is passionate about seeing people reach their fullest potential. Pastor Marty and Julie love living in Longview, TX with their three kids Luke, Moriah and Briggs.

Mark oversees and pastors the staff team at Pathway Church and directs the business and operational aspects of the ministry. He has a true passion for serving people and seeing them connected to their God-designed destiny. Mark and his lovely wife Alaina have two amazing kiddos, Jackson and Carah, that they consider among their greatest joys on this earth.

Paul and his wife, Kim, have been married since 1982 and have a daughter named Crystal and a grandson, Greyson. Paul has two pampered weiner dogs, and is close with both his dad and brother— each named Philip.

I am blessed and fortunate to be married to my wife and best friend Dana for 22 years. We have two wonderful boys Zachary and Noah. We are happy to call Longview home and Pathway our church!

Jessica oversees the children’s department at Pathway Church. She is passionate about helping kids take their next steps in Christ and grow in their relationship with Him. Jessica and her husband Paul have two beautiful kids Wyatt and Lauryn Kate.

Kollin serves as the Associate Pastor of Pastoral Care and Lifegroups. He is passionate about caring for the body of Christ and facilitating a safe, inviting place for people to belong to a family. He is married to Jessy Huddleston and together they have  3 awesome kids: Joshua, Elizabeth and Rory.

J.W., with a calling to ministry at 17 and a pastoral degree to follow, has been serving with students since 2010 as a Middle School Pastor and Young Adults Director in Kansas City.

J.W., Kayla and Lendon moved to Texas in 2017 where God led them to call Pathway home. He loves developing people through relationships while serving alongside Kayla and walking in their calling together.

Maria serves with a passion for people (and processes)! She has a heart to see Pathway take over the world for Jesus. Maria and her husband Nick have two grown sons and beautiful daughter-in-loves — Nicholas & Caitlin, Jonny & Kati — and an awesome daughter, Stephanie. They are also excited to become first-time grandparents in 2018.

Kayla is a loving wife to J.W. and adored mother to Lendon. Her experience as Creative Marketing Director birthed a passion in her for details, collaboration, and bringing others’ ideas to life. Serving the local church since age 14, Kayla is honored to be a part of our Pathway Staff and is ready to continue to serve and build God’s Kingdom by way of events at Pathway.

Joshua oversees the Tech Arts department, works with the staff on other technical needs, and serves on the Pathway Students leadership team. He enjoys organizing and incorporating technical elements into a Pathway service and helping students grow in their walk with Jesus.

From the very start, Luci’s journey to Pathway was completely orchestrated by God. Luci began playing backup keyboard and throughout the following months, God kept confirming her calling to this house, and preparing her heart for what was to come. Now, as Worship Music Director, she is happy to have found her home at Pathway. A native of Brazil, Luci loves steak, movies, the Beatles, videogames and volleyball, but most importantly, she loves the Lord.  Her contagious passion to make Jesus known is exemplified every time she takes the platform, and she loves being a part of the Pathway family.

Kristi is a CPA and has a Master’s in Public Accounting from The University of Texas in Austin. She is responsible for the financial operations of the church. Kristi is married to Ben and they have one son named Caleb and a yellow lab named Molly. Kristi’s passion is studying God’s Word with other women and seeing the next generation grow in their love and knowledge of God.

Ariene plays a vital role on our administrative team. From assisting our Lifegroup, Worship and Freedom ministries, Ariene is passionate about people. She loves to see others connect to their God-given purpose and take over the world!

Kate Jones is ministry assistant to Pathway's Serve Team and Student Ministry. She is passionate about encouraging the Body of Christ through worship, and helping connect people to purpose. Kate and her husband Blake married in 2007 and have a beautiful little girl named Leiland. 

Holly serves as a ministry assistant for the Pathway Women and Pathway Kids ministries. She loves to see others step into freedom by learning their true identity in Jesus Christ. Holly and her husband Joey have 4 children-- Kendall, Warren, Rosie, and Jasper. In her free time she loves to get creative and work on projects with her husband.

Cassidy serves on staff as a Communications Assistant. She loves the intricacy of working in and out of each department, and seeing the final picture of a project come to life.  While still pursuing her bachelor’s degree at East Texas Baptist University, Cassidy  loves playing a part in helping people be connected to purpose.