Meet our Staff

Eddie Schafer
Pastor


I was born in Dallas and raised in Irving. I haven't strayed very far from home.Being raised in a Christian home it was easy for me to ask Jesus into my life at the age of 7. At the age of 15 I felt called into the ministry. I've graduated from MacArthur High School, Dallas Baptist College (now it's a big university) and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Before attending Southwestern I attended DTS (not to be confused with Dallas Transit System) and took classes at Bright Divinity School. While attending graduate school I worked at United Parcel Service.

Just before graduating from SWBTS, and accepting my first church, I married Rochelle. She works at Denton Baptist Association. We have three boys: Steven, Michael, and Nathan. They are my delight. In my 20 years as serving as a pastor, I've served in 5 churches. In May of 2000, I came to Highland. We consider Denton to be a wonderful place to live and raise a family. And we consider the folks at Highland to be the best around. They are a delight to serve.

I like to play the guitar (self enjoyment), fish (I caught a 9 pounder out of Lake Ray Roberts last year), and golf (I took it up a few months ago not having played in 25 years).

Well, enough about me. Why don't you stop by and tell me a little about yourself!


Earl Nuckels
Worship Leader

Earl Nuckels is a native of Denton, Texas. He was born in Denton August 20th, 1950 to Bee and Mary Nuckels. He attended College View Baptist Church where his father was an active Deacon. In 1958 he accepted Christ as Savior and was baptized. At the age of 14 he accepted the call to Christian service while attending Falls Creek Baptist Encampment in Oklahoma. During his High School year at Denton High School he accepted the position of music and youth director at Towne North Baptist Church in Denton. In 1971 he accepted the position of music and youth director at First Baptist Church, Little Elm, Texas. In 1972 he married Martha Christian of Denton. Earl served in Little Elm while attending North Texas State University where he received his Bachelor on Music degree. Following his bachelors degree he attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where he received his Master of Religious Education degree. Earl and Martha have two sons Christian 20 and Jordan 16. After serving full time in ministry in Little Elm, Sherman, and Henrietta, Earl and Martha moved back to Denton in 1989. Earl has served as Worship Leader in several Baptist churches in Denton County since returning to Denton. He will be concluding his fourth year as worship leader at Highland Baptist Church in August of 2002.



Larry Davis
Minister to Senior Adults

I felt God calling me to the ministry at an early age. I was a member of a small Baptist church in Oklahoma. Since I didn't realize there were ministry opportunities other than preaching, I didn't answerthe call. Later I was made aware of other areas of ministry and realized
I could serve in other ways. While working on my degree in accounting at McNeese, I worked in Lake Charles, LA, at Hercules full time. I was active as a deacon serving in many capacities of the church. I surrendered to God's call while at the Southern Baptist Convention in New Orleans in 1983. I came to Denton in 1975 and worked at Denton Lawn Sprinkler while attending seminary. I graduated in 1989 with an associate degree in Religious Education. I returned to seminary in 1990 for further studies, finishing in 1992. I came to Highland in 1991 as Minister of Education, always having adesire to work with Senior Adults. In 1997, the Lord opened the door for me to serve in the rewarding capacity of Minister of Senior Adults here at Highland.


Cory Mauritzen
Minister to Students
I was born in Dallas TX on June 13 1982. My family moved to Waco when I was 3 and my parents still live there to this day. I was raised in a Christian home and was at church every time the doors were open. I asked Jesus into my heart at the age of 7, but I don’t think it was until 8th grade that I realized fully the decision that I had made when I was younger. I was fortunate to have many opportunities to serve the Lord growing up through mission trips, camps, and other activities with the youth group. This is where the stirring began in me to find out what God wanted to do through my life.

I graduated from Midway High School in Waco and then went to Stephen F. Austin where I received my bachelors’ degree in Business Administration. During college I was involved in the Baptist Student Ministries where I had many opportunities to serve. Through the BSM I was a student missionary in the states of Washington and Idaho during the summer of 2003. After the summer I received the opportunity to work as a youth intern at First Baptist Church in Nacogdoches. During my time at the church I realized that God was calling me to work with youth as a career. I worked at the church for 2 years, and from there I moved to Fort Worth to attend seminary. Before seminary I accepted the call to be the minister of students here at Highland. I am currently attending Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary getting my master’s degree in Christian Education with a concentration in students. I have loved the time spent here at Highland getting to know and serve the people here at the church.

I love sports mainly watching them, but every once in a while I will participate in something active to get the blood flowing. I love playing the guitar and singing. If you see me around the church come up and say hello.


Kayla Kisor
Minister to Children
Growing up in Oklahoma, I was always
surrounded by family who supported me in every endeavor I pursued. My parents faithfully took me to church. As a child, I was acitve in Children's Choir and GA's. I began studing piano at the age of 9, and then I progress to study the French Horn with Dr. Sion Honea at the age of 12. As a youth, I spent several summers at Fallscreek campgrounds in Davis, Oklahoma. I also had the opportunity to go on a mission trip to Mexico and work with children there. This was a very rewarding experience for me. I qualified for the Central Oklahoma Director's Association Honor Band for four consecutive years, and then was selected for OMEA All-State the following year. At age 17, I accepted the Lord as my Savior. Ever since, I have been striving to grow closer to Him on a daily basis. Presently, I am pursing a degree in Music Education at the University of North Texas. I recentlty had the
opportunity to go to Budapest, Hungry to observe and study music. Although, this trip was "educational", it was a life-changing experience that was spiritually challenging and I have grown because of it. I feel that my musical talent is definitely a gift from God and it is my responsibility to share this gift with others. It's my desire to teach children about God's love and to help them recognize the gifts He has given them. I am very thankful to the members of Highland Baptist Church for allowing me to love on their children during Sunday
School, Children's Choir, Vacation Bible School, and other children's events. I would like to invite you to bring your children to Highland Baptist Church and give us the opportunity to help them grow and learn God's word.


Highland Baptist Church
600 Thomas Street
Denton, Texas 76201
940.387.1745