Pastor
Raymond is a native of Dallas, Texas. He has a B.A. from Baylor, an M.A. from Texas Tech, and an M.Div. and PhD. from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has served as pastor in Texas, Florida, Indiana and Kentucky. Before beginning his sixteen-year tenure as Professor of Preaching at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, he taught at Hardin-Simmons University and Bellarmine College. In addition to teaching at the seminary, for the six years preceding his coming to Seventh & James in 1995, he also served as pastor of Lyndon Baptist Church. Raymond is married to Patricia, who holds degrees from Sul Ross State University, Northern Kentucky State University, and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Pat taught in the Carver School of Church Social Work at Southern Seminary from 1986 to 1993. Prior to moving to Waco, she was Client Services Director for the Louisville Center for Women and Families. She served in Waco as the Executive Director of the Waco Advocacy Center until her retirement in 2002. The Baileys have two married daughters, Hollie and Sarah; three granddaughters, Abigail, Olivia, and Yulie; and two grandsons, Bailey and Jack.
Minister of Music
Donnie grew up in San Antonio. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in
music theory from Baylor University and his Doctor of Musical Arts in conducting from the University of Texas. He has come to us from the First United Methodist Church of Waco, where he was Director of Music for 27 years. He also serves as Director of Choral Activities and Director of Fine Arts at McLennan Community College. Donnie’s wife, Nancy, is also a graduate of Baylor and is an accountant with her own company, Balmos Computer Service. Nancy and Donnie are the parents of three grown children: David, Jonathan, and Mandy.
LESLIE ROSENCRANS
Minister of Congregational Life
Leslie is originally from Waco, Texas. She received a Bachelor of Science in Family
and Consumer Sciences from Baylor University in 2001. After graduating from college Leslie served as the Director of Faith Relations at Waco Habitat for Humanity until joining the staff at 7th in 2005. Leslie graduated with a Master of Divinity from Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University in 2006. She is married to Matt who also serves on staff at Seventh & James.
Minister to Students
Matt is originally from Louisville, Kentucky. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Louisville in 1999. After college he served as an
intern in campus ministry at Cumberland College in Williamsburg, Kentucky, and Georgetown College in Georgetown, Kentucky. Currently, Matt graduated with a
Master of Divinity from George W. Truett Theological Seminary in 2007. He is married to Leslie, who serves as Minister to Congregation Life at Seventh & James.
Minister to Senior Adults Growing up in South Carolina as the daughter of a minister, Lu attended Furman University and later received Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history and education, with Ph.D. (abd) studies in education. She has served as an educator in churches
in Louisville and Waco, in higher education in Kentucky, North Carolina and Texas, and
was ordained to the deaconate by
Myers Park Baptist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, while she served on the board of the Alliance of Baptists. Her husband and children have been deeply involved in ministry as well, referring to it as the “family business.” Lu additionally serves as a deacon at Seventh & James.
Organist
Lydia McCall Bratcher joined Seventh & James as a Baylor student in the 1970s and
has been involved in the music ministry ever since. She sang in the College Choir and
the Sanctuary Choir while at Baylor, and later directed children’s choirs and
accompanied children’s, youth, and adult choirs. She is a deacon and has been involved for many years with the Meals On Wheels ministry of the church.
Lydia received her degree in piano pedagogy from Baylor University and studied organ briefly during that time. She resumed her organ study in the fall of 2002 and began serving as interim organist at Seventh & James in September 2003.
Lydia has taught piano and theory in her independent studio for over 25 years and she also works as the choral accompanist at Midway High School. She and her husband Kent, a local attorney, were married at Seventh. They have two children: Blake, a Baylor student, and Larkin, a student at Midway High School.
Organist Emeritus
Herb served as organist for Seventh & James from 1969 to 1999. He was Professor of Theory and Director of Academic Studies of the School of Music at Baylor and has served as the University Carillonneur since 1988. He has composed numerous organ-piano duets, organ solos and anthems. Herb and his wife, Mary Ila, are active members of Seventh, serving as deacons and choir members. They enjoy travel and frequent visits with their three daughters and their families.
LORIE SEFCIK CROWDER Director of Handbell Choirs
Born in Taylor, Texas, Lorie earned her Bachelor of Music Education from Baylor in 1984 and has served as assistant band director for the Robinson ISD since that time, working with youth in grades 6-12. A member of Seventh since 1989, Lorie joined the staff as handbell director in 1996. She and her husband, Richard (a fellow band director in Riesel, Texas), have two children, Elizabeth Anne and Lincoln Edward.
PAULA HOOVER
Children’s Choir Coordinator
Paula has been working with the children’s music program off and on for the last 21 years. Paula teaches elementary music at Hillcrest Professional Development School in Waco. Paula has a bachelor’s degree in vocal music education / church music from William Jewell College. Paula is married to Carl and they have three daughters, Hallie, Helen and Harper.
Pat has a degree in church music from Baylor and worked in Seventh’s youth program for two years before entering Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where she earned an M.A. in christian education. She worked in Kentucky as a social worker in the area of adoptions and juvenile corrections. Prior to joining Seventh’s staff in 1987, Pat was a caseworker at the Methodist Home in Waco.
Valerie was reared in Satin, Texas. She is an active member of the Cedar Grove Missionary Baptist Church, where she sings in the choir, teaches Sunday school and serves as the church secretary. She joined Seventh’s staff in 1986. She has three children, Marcus, Amber and Victoria, and two grandchildren.
ADDITIONAL STAFF
NANCY BALMOS – Financial Assistant
COSME LOZANO – Custodian
ERIC JOHNSON – Custodian
AL MENDOZA – Wednesday Night Cook
To contact us you can also mail, call, e-mail or visit us at:
Seventh & James Baptist Church
602 James Avenue, Waco, TX 76706
Phone:(254) 753-6425 & Fax: (254) 753-1909
E-mail: mail@seventhandjames.org
Growing up in South Carolina as the daughter of a minister, Lu attended Furman University and later received Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history and education, with Ph.D. (abd) studies in education. She has served as an educator in churches 
Pat has a degree in church music from Baylor and worked in Seventh’s youth program for two years before entering Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where she earned an M.A. in christian education. She worked in Kentucky as a social worker in the area of adoptions and juvenile corrections. Prior to joining Seventh’s staff in 1987, Pat was a caseworker at the Methodist Home in Waco.
Valerie was reared in Satin, Texas. She is an active member of the Cedar Grove Missionary Baptist Church, where she sings in the choir, teaches Sunday school and serves as the church secretary. She joined Seventh’s staff in 1986. She has three children, Marcus, Amber and Victoria, and two grandchildren. 
