David Sessions

Minister of the Word

David is coming to Northside from Abilene, Texas where he was the University and Associate Preaching Minister at the Highland Church of Christ. His primary value in working with young Christians has been discipleship from the inside out; believing, before doing anything for God, people must connect to the God dwelling within them. David is very excited to preach at Northside where he hopes to connect his love of discipleship to his love of God’s word. In his spare time David is probably with his family. His wife, Kristin, is a speech therapist at ACU and they are the parents of two awesome children named Cale and Mae.

Ben Crain

Youth Minister

Ben Crain has served as Northside’s Youth Minister since 2021. He holds a BFA in Painting/Drawing from Abilene Christian University and enjoys using creativity and storytelling to make faith come alive for students. In recent years, Ben has been drawn to the contemplative Christian tradition and has developed a passion for helping students encounter the mystery of God—one who is both infinitely knowable and beyond comprehension. He is currently enrolled in the Selah Certificate in Spiritual Direction, where he is deepening his practice of listening to the Spirit and learning how to guide others in spiritual discernment. He and his wife, Rachel, have been married for 23 years and live in Bulverde with their two dogs.

John Hodges

Minister of Worship & Communications

John Hodges began serving at Northside in August 2020. Before coming to Northside, he was Worship and Executive Minister at Glenwood Church of Christ in Tyler, Texas, and Worship and Family Minister at Eastside Church of Christ in Colorado Springs, Colorado. John has a Master of Marriage and Family Therapy degree from Abilene Christian University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music and Vocational Ministry from Harding University. John enjoys reading, watching movies, and singing with his wife, Kim, and their four children.

John loves to collaborate with others in planning deeply meaningful worship experiences. In leading worship, his ultimate goal is to get out of the way and point people to God. He loves to see the message communicated in unique and powerful ways and longs to see unity in the body of Christ.

Nicole Largent

Children’s Minister

Nicole Largent joined the Northside Staff full time in 2017 as Associate Children’s Minister. Her love of children has grown into a passion to teach them God’s love. Her experience teaching Early Childhood and Elementary gives her firsthand knowledge that assists her in following God’s lead. She has an amazing group of parents and members who help encourage, teach and love the children at Northside. Nicole has also worked at Northside Preschool since 2012, serving as Director until 2022. She and her husband, Brandon, have three children, Breann, Wade, and Zakary, and a granddaughter, Eryn.

Ryan Porche

Executive Minister

Ryan joined the Northside Leadership in July 2024, and he brings twenty years of varied ministry experience. He has served Highland Church in Memphis, Northwest Church in Seattle, and Southwest Church in Amarillo, and he co-planted a network of house churches in Dallas. Ryan has served in worship ministry, small groups, and spiritual formation. He is a certified Christian Life Coach and a certified Marriage Strong Facilitator. He studied music and ministry at Abilene Christian University.

Ryan is married to Claudia, a speech therapist from Harding University in Arkansas. They have two sons: Kaden and Elijah. Ryan is passionate about building healthy churches through his gifts of organization, intentionality, and leadership. He enjoys music, technology, cars, and military aircraft.

Rachel Starr

Associate Youth Minister

Rachel Starr is incredibly excited to be joining the ministry team at Northside and working alongside Ben with the youth group. She loves baking, hiking, and playing all kinds of sports, as well as nerding out over Harry Potter and Percy Jackson. She has served as a youth intern for three different churches during her time in college and is eager to enter into full-time youth ministry now. Rachel is  passionate about walking alongside teens as they navigate who they are and how to live meaningful, Christ-like lives. Rachel graduated from Lubbock Christian University with her Bachelor of Arts in Youth and Family Ministry and loves using that degree to serve the youth of the church today.

Tina Wharton

Minister of Congregational Care

Tina Wharton has served at Northside as Children’s Minister since 1999. In 2020, Tina became Northside’s very first Minister of Congregational Care. She leads a fantastic team of volunteers who serve the ministry with servant hearts. She has always had a passion for teaching children God’s Word and brings her extensive hands-on experience to care for the whole congregation. She finds it an honor and pleasure to serve God and the families at Northside. She and her husband, Greg, have four young adult children, Christian, Lauren, Rachel, and Tyler.