By God’s grace, Dr. Jinks is currently serving his second church as senior pastor. He served the Bardwell United Methodist Church for 16 years and is now in his third year at the First Methodist Church of Ennis.

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Dr. Jinks holds a Master’s degree in Divinity from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. He previously earned a Bachelor of Science in biology/pre-med from the University of Texas at Arlington and a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch. He also holds an MBA in health service management from the University of Dallas. He has been a practicing physician in Ennis for 41 years.

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He is the proud father of two adult children, Alison and Brian, and has six grandchildren. Dr. Jinks enjoys spending time with his family and friends and is deeply committed to living out his calling. He especially enjoys traveling, with the Hawaiian Islands being a favorite destination.

Mr. James Montgomery currently serves as the Music Minister and Principal Organist at First Methodist Church Ennis, where he has been a dedicated member of the staff since 2014. In addition to his role as organist, he directs both the Chancel Choir and the Handbell Ensemble.

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With over 30 years of experience in church music, James began playing the organ for worship services at just 13 years old. His musical journey started even earlier—at age 4—when he took up piano lessons. Inspired by the installation of a pipe organ at his childhood church, he knew from a young age that he wanted to pursue organ music.

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James considers it a true blessing to serve God through music and has shared his gifts with congregations in both Texas and Pennsylvania. He is the proud father of three adult children—Sarah (married to Adam), Taylor, and Chase (married to Ashton)—and grandfather to Nicolas (age 4), with another grandchild, Ari, on the way.

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When not preparing for worship or directing music, James enjoys spending time with his grandson, often found chasing him around with a smile. One of his guiding philosophies in music is: “Music is the spice of life… without it, life would be bland.”

Meet Alyssa Houston, the Director of Children’s Ministries at First Methodist Church of Ennis. If you grew up in Ennis, like she did, you might relate to her journey. Alyssa became a Methodist at the age of 7, and her family began attending FMC Ennis in 2012. That’s when her passion for serving God through children’s ministry truly began to take shape.

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Her journey started in 2009, when her dad brought her along to church conferences where she discovered the many ways you can serve God. After joining FMC Ennis, she got involved by volunteering with Children’s Church, Vacation Bible School, and going on mission trips. At one point, she thought she was meant to teach high school—but God had a different plan. In 2022, Alyssa began working at a Christian daycare and found real joy in teaching children about God. That experience led her to answer a deeper calling: to bring her love for sharing God’s word to her home church.

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You might recognize Alyssa from around church—she was married to her husband, CJ Houston, right here at FMC Ennis in 2022. They share their home with two cats, Rusty and Mouse, and they’re excited to welcome a baby girl this year. When she’s not at church, you’ll probably find her cooking, reading, or enjoying board games with friends.

Mrs. Danielle currently serves as the Children’s Day Out Director at First Methodist Church of Ennis. She’s been married to her husband, Phillip, since 2015, and together they have three wonderful children—Emma, Wyatt, and Walker.

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As a young mom, Danielle had a deep desire to find a place where her children could learn and grow in a loving, Christ-centered environment. That passion led her to CDO, where she first joined the team as a teacher. After a year in the classroom, she stepped into the role of director—and she’s loved it ever since!

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Danielle’s heart is to create a safe, nurturing space where children can thrive. Her goal is to build a program filled with teachers who are not only kind and compassionate, but who also love Jesus and share that love with every child in their care.

Debbie serves as the Office Administrator with a heart full of kindness and a deep commitment to the church’s mission. Known for her warm smile and welcoming spirit, she is often the first face people see when they walk through the doors—and she makes everyone feel right at home.

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Loyal and dependable, Debbie is the steady presence behind the scenes, keeping the daily operations running smoothly. Whether she’s coordinating church events, helping with The Messenger, organizing the calendar, or simply lending a listening ear, she does it all with grace and a genuine desire to help.

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Her helpful nature and servant's heart shine through in every task, big or small. She is not only a valuable part of the staff team but also a trusted support to the congregation. With a calm presence and caring attitude, Debbie embodies the love and hospitality that the church strives to offer to all.