Our leaders

Dr. Jason Gray

Lead Pastor

Jason was born and raised in Tampa, Florida and was saved by Christ at the age of seven. Since then he has lived in Kentucky, Colorado, and now Texas. Jason has a B.S. in Economics from the University of Florida, and a Master of Divinity as well as a Doctor of Ministry in Applied Theology from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Jason serves as our Lead Pastor. He and his wife, Kristin, have four children. Jason enjoys spending time with his family, reading, and sports (both playing and watching). His prayer for Redeemer Church is that we would faithfully communicate the Gospel and see people saved, discipled, and sent out for the purpose of taking that Gospel across Abilene and to the ends of the earth.

Cody Petree

Associate Pastor

Cody was born right here in the great city of Abilene and grew up on a farm in Albany Texas. Cody was saved by Christ at an early age. God used the faithful teaching and example of his parents to cause Cody to place his trust in the gospel. Cody has a B.S. in Education from Hardin Simmons University as well as a Masters of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Cody Serves as our Assistant Pastor. He and his Wife Alaina have two children. Cody enjoys playing basketball, spikeball, and board games, as well as laying in his hammock while reading a good book. In addition to general pastoral duties, he oversees the discipleship ministries of the church. His Prayer for Redeemer Church is that we would always remain committed to prayer, proclaiming God’s word, and discipling one another. May God keep us from ever getting distracted from these things.

Chase Shelton

Associate Pastor

Chase was born in Edgewood, Kentucky, and raised in McKinney, Texas. After moving to Abilene for college in 2015, he began attending a study of Romans that was being taught by elder Dipak Samuel. By January 2016 he was convicted of his need to repent and believe the Gospel. Chase has a Bachelors of Science in Biblical Studies and is currently working towards his Masters of Divinity at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has been married to his wife Kaylie for over four years and has two sons. He enjoys reading, writing music, and tinkering with computers in his free time. In addition to general pastoral duties, he oversees liturgy and administration. Chase’s prayer for Redeemer Church is that it would glorify God by faithfully preaching his word, exhorting and equipping the saints for the work of ministry, and by carrying forth the message of the gospel to the ends of the earth, for generations to come.

Beny Shuping

Elder

Beny was born and raised in Stratford, Texas where he was saved in a small Baptist Church in the 5th grade. He returned there to farm and ranch after graduating with a degree in accounting from WTAMU in 1995. He was a full-time farmer and rancher for 10 years in the panhandle, east Texas, and in the Hamlin area before beginning his banking career as a loan officer. He was married in 1997, and he and Kim have two boys. He still enjoys his farm and spends most of his “free” time there raising cattle and sheep. Beny’s prayer for Redeemer Church is that we would be genuine followers of Christ, continually growing in our understanding of the Word and how the application of good theology changes individuals, families, churches, and communities. 

Dipak Samuel

Elder

Dipak was born in South India and raised in the United Arab Emirates. He was saved during his senior year of high school in Dubai. God used the preaching of his youth pastor (as he preached through the book of Mark) to bring the gospel to him and grant him repentance and faith. Dipak has an undergraduate degree in Engineering and a graduate degree in Business Administration. He is employed as an electrical engineer. He and his wife Hannah have four children. Dipak enjoys reading and playing golf. His prayer is that Redeemer Church would have the strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth of the love of love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that they may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Dr. Jim Leavenworth

Elder

Jim was born and raised in New Milford Connecticut. After he graduated high school Jim joined the Air Force and went to College at the University of Connecticut. While there, two of his friends confronted him on his sinful lifestyle and shared the gospel with him, to which he responded in faith. Jim has several degrees, most recently graduating with his Ph.D in New Testament and Christian Origins. He currently flies as a First Officer for Southwest Airlines. He enjoys woodworking, hunting, brewing, and of course theology. He and his wife Julie have four children. It is his prayer that all Redeemer would constantly grow in their ability to handle the written Word of God and, as a result, that they would increasingly love the living Word of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, more and more each day.

Dr. Jason Gray

Lead Pastor

Jason was born and raised in Tampa, Florida and was saved by Christ at the age of seven. Since then he has lived in Kentucky, Colorado, and now Texas. Jason has a BS in Economics from the University of Florida, and a Master of Divinity as well as a Doctor of Ministry in Applied Theology from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Jason serves as our Lead Pastor. He and his wife, Kristin, have four children. Jason enjoys spending time with his family, reading, and sports (both playing and watching). His prayer for Redeemer Church is that we would faithfully communicate the Gospel and see people saved, discipled, and sent out for the purpose of taking that Gospel across Abilene and to the ends of the earth.

Cody Petree

Staff Pastor

Cody was born right here in the great city of Abilene and grew up on a farm in Albany Texas. Cody was saved by Christ at an early age. God used the faithful teaching and example of his parents’ to cause Cody to place his trust in the gospel. Cody has a B.S. in Education from Hardin Simmons University as well as a Masters of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Cody Serves as our Assistant Pastor. He and his Wife Alaina have two children. Cody enjoys playing basketball, spikeball, and board games, as well as laying in his hammock while reading a good book. In addition to general pastoral duties, he oversees the discipleship ministries of the church. His Prayer for Redeemer Church is that we would always remain committed to proclaiming God’s word and discipling one another. May God keep us from ever getting distracted from these things.

Chase Shelton

Staff Pastor

Chase was born in Edgewood, Kentucky, and raised in McKinney, Texas. After moving to Abilene for college in 2015, he began attending a study of Romans that was being taught by elder Dipak Samuel. By January 2016 he was convicted of his need to repent and believe the Gospel. Chase has a Bachelors of Science in Biblical Studies and is currently working towards his Masters of Divinity at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has been married to his wife Kaylie for over four years and has two sons. He enjoys reading, writing music, and tinkering with computers in his free time. In addition to general pastoral duties, he oversees liturgy and administration. Chase’s prayer for Redeemer Church is that it would glorify God by faithfully preaching his word, exhorting and equipping the saints for the work of ministry, and by carrying forth the message of the gospel to the ends of the earth, for generations to come.