Dexton Shores
Director of Ministry Development for Mexico and Guatemala
Dexton Shores has been involved in border and Mexico missions since childhood, having grown up on the Texas/Mexco border. He served as a Hispanic church planter for 16 years, as a church planter strategist with associations in East Texas and San Antonio for eight years and as the director of River Ministry with the Baptist General Convention for eight years. He joined Buckner as Director of Ministry Development for Mexico and the Border in August 2007.
Favorite Quote: “It is not my ability, but my response to God's ability, that counts." Corrie ten Boom
Most enjoys… time with his grandson and family and going on mission trips.
Random fact: Married pastor's daughter while serving as youth minister and attending Baylor.
Phil Brinkmeyer
Director of Ministry Development for Africa and Europe
Joined the Buckner fam in March 1994.
Most enjoys… getting dirty in Colorado.
Random fact: He has a little yellow life vest for his dog to wear when they go kayaking together.
Jorge Zapata
Director of Border Colonia Program
Jorge Zapata served as a pastor in East Texas and the Rio Grande Valley for sixteen years before joining Buckner in December 2002 as a mission group coordinator when Buckner Border Ministries began.
Favorite Quote: “Whatever it takes, let’s do it!”
Most enjoys… loves the mountains and nature
Random fact: people know Jorge as a crazy or “loco” personality
Ricardo Brambila
Mission Group Coordinator -
Rio Grande Valley Colonias
Ricardo is a bi-vocational pastor to First Baptist Church in San Isidro since 2002. He graduated from the Universidad Valle del Bravo in 2002, was a Parent. Educator for two years with the Avance program for at-risk children in valley colonias, and joined Buckner in 2008.
Favorite Quote: "I am not what I ought to be. I am not what I wish to be. I am not even what I hope to be. But by the cross of Christ, I am not what I was". John Newton
Most enjoys... watching good movies (cartoons) with the company of his wife and daughter
Random Fact: hated everything that had to do with church and especially pastors as a teen. Ricardo says: "At age 16, I was lost, but Jesus found me and from that day I love His Church and I love being a pastor.
Guille Aquilar
Humanitarian Aid Coordinator -
Border Colonias
Guille was an elementary teacher before coming to Buckner and has a bachelors degree in education and minor in bilingual. She loves working with people and children and serving the needs of others.
Favorite Quote: "You make the world a better place by making yourself a better person". Scott Sorrell
Most enjoys... spending time with family
Random Fact: has three children by the names of Lucky, Mia, and Mickey and is very out spoken
Susan Williams
Director of Missions Support
Joined the Buckner Fam in February 2006
Graduated from East Texas Baptist University
Favorite Quote: “Begin each day as if it were on purpose” –Hitch
Most enjoys… fuzzy slippers at the office
Random fact: Was in her county’s Poultry Festival Pageant.
Brynn Anderson
Missions Coordinator
Joined the Buckner family in June 2009
Graduated from Texas Tech University
Favorite quote: "I am not here for self-realization, but to know Jesus Christ. The aim is to achieve the realization of Jesus Christ in every set of circumstances." Oswald Chambers
Most enjoys… Seeing the kids that we visit on mission trips and the smiles on their faces after you give them a big hug
Random fact: Use to figure skate competitively as a kid
Chris Cato
Missions Coordinator
Joined the Buckner team in May 2010.
Chris is a Fighting Texas Aggie, class of 2004 and a graduate student at the University of Dallas.
Favorite Quote:"Surely you can't be serious."
"I am serious. And don't call me Shirley." - Airplane
Most enjoys... Camping, hiking, jeeping & fishing in Colorado with his lovely wife Jamie (and Jack his fierce 12 lb shih-tzu). Jamie might say the beach.
Random Fact:Chris' childhood dream was to be an aerospace engineer (aka Rocket Scientist) and work for NASA. He went to Texas A&M to follow that dream… God had different plans.
Jeremy Copeland
Missions Coordinator
Joined the Buckner fam in November 2006
Graduated from Baylor University
Favorite quote: “Hakuna matata, what a wonderful phrase!” –Pumba, The Lion King
Most enjoys… the outdoors.
Random fact: Got the chicken pox at the age of 34.
Shaun Lester
Missions Coordinator
Joined the Buckner Fam in February 2004 and then re-joined in December 2007
Graduated from: Baylor University and Southwestern Seminary
Favorite quote: "I'm good to go."
Most enjoys... doing nothing at Hilton Head Island, SC.
Random Fact: She's a Texas girl and a Baylor grad, but a OSU Buckeye at heart!
Ashley Marble
Missions Coordinator
Joined the Buckner fam in February 2011
Graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University
Favorite Quote: "When I touch a poor child I am touching Jesus. When I listen to a poor child I am listening to God's heart beating for all of humanity, among them the Creator is hidden." -Mama Maggie Gobran
Most enjoys: Living in the "hood," The Dallas Cowboys, Family, Friends and my job!
Random fact: Lived in Switzerland for 10 months.
