Leadership Team

Paul Semrad, Music Team Leader 

 

Paul Semrad is a Dallas area native. From 1988-1998 he was the bassist in Course of Empire, one the most popular bands in the Deep Ellum scene of the late nineties. Since then he has wandered from occupations as varied as natural foods retail to screen printing. He is now a stay-at-home dad, homeschooling his two children, as well as a free lance graphic designer. Paul’s music philosophy is rooted in the belief of God’s presence in all things, therefore on any given Sunday the music maybe drawn from sources as diverse as 19th Century rural spirituals to sixties rock and roll and all things in between.  The Semrad family (Paul, his lovely wife Sarah Jane, children Eva and Jiri) has lived in Oak Cliff since 2000.

 

Janalee Shadburn, Minister for Children and Families

 

Janalee Shadburn is a big fan of kids, especially the ones she teaches every Sunday at Church in the Cliff. As a college student, she served with inner city children’s ministries in Philadelphia, St. Louis, NYC, and Jackson, MS. Janalee earned a bachelor’s degree from Mississippi College and a Master of Divinity from George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University. She is also on the staff of Project Transformation, a faith-based non-profit in Oak Cliff that empowers college students to become role modes for children in underserved communities. Janalee lives in North Oak Cliff, and there’s not much she loves more than being a cliff dweller. Other favorites include concerts, movies, Diet Pepsi, and the State Fair of Texas.

 

Board

 

 

 

Cara Stoneham discovered our unique church community in 2005 and quickly fell in love with its diversity, rich theological discussions and one-of-a-kind worship style.  She is currently playing full-time mom to her son, and fills in occasionally at her previous job as a hospital Chaplain. Her background includes a Master of Divinity from the Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, Virginia, and two years of clinical training as a hospital chaplain resident (CPE).  Her chaplain work has included several hospitals, a mental health hospital, and addiction treatment facilities.  The church community covenanted with Cara and affirmed her ministry in August of 2006 by Ordaining her to the Gospel Ministry. Cara enjoys all kinds of outdoor activities, reading, being crafty, and cherishing her friends and family.  Cara, her husband, Carl, and their son, Jude, live in south Fort Worth.

 

James Fairchild is a full time student at the University of Texas at Arlington, where he is working towards his undergraduate degree in the School of Urban and Public Affairs. His focus of study is urban planning and revitalization. While attending school, James also works full time and devotes free time to several local organizations such as Methodist Dallas Hospital and Keep Dallas Beautiful. He lives in Oak Cliff with his four-legged best friend, Fletcher, and is active in his neighborhood association, where he serves as a board member. When not in Dallas, he can be found with his partner, Clint, who resides in Austin. After searching many years, in many places, James feels fortunate to have found a local, open and affirming, faith community in Church in the Cliff.

 

A born and bread, stereotypical Lutheran-Norwegian from Minnesota, Kristin came to Texas in 2005 alone in her first leap of faith. After eating her first chicken-fried steak with gravy and feeling the 70-degree sun on a November day, she decided to stay for a while. Kristin attended Southern Methodist University and found a close surrogate family among human rights activists at Amnesty International’s student chapter. It was here she found her passion and purpose. She quickly became involved in the movement to save Darfur by founding Art for Darfur. A close friend she met during this time brought her to a place that was then called City Church. It was her immediate home away from home. Today, Church in the Cliff is still that home; a community that shares her passion for social justice and the need to question the status quo under the banner of God’s love. Kristin graduated in May 2009 with a dual degree in Corporate Communication and Public Affairs and German Language. Currently she practices public relations for two companies committed to supporting the local and global communities. Kristin is a hopeful cynic and a loving fighter.

 

Ross Prater grew up in Baytown, Texas.  He has been a Baptist since a child and joined Church in the Cliff in 2000.  Ross’s wife Lyn, who teaches at Baylor University School of Nursing, is an original member of the church.  He serves as a chaplain at Parkland Hospital.  Ross shares that his faith gives meaning to all of his life and is central to how he lives and the decisions he makes.  Ross enjoys photography,bird watching, outdoor activities and keeping up with long-time friends. Ross and Lyn have two grown sons, Dylan and Luke, who is married to Julie. Ross is grateful for a church that welcomes everyone to the Table.