JOIN THE U.S. PASTOR COUNCIL
The U.S. Pastor Council is a national network of Kingdom-minded pastors
impacting communities across America.
The Houston Area Pastor Council was founded in 2003 by thirteen senior pastors, including Rev. Dave Welch, as an interdenominational and inter-racial coalition committed to bringing a united, biblical voice to the city, the state, and the nation. In 2007, the Texas Pastor Council was created, establishing Pastor Councils in Austin, Beaumont, El Paso, Laredo, Waco, Hood County, Montgomery County, Brazoria County, and Fort Bend County and serving more than 1,000 pastors across Texas.
The Houston Pastor Council drew national attention in 2013 when the Mayor of Houston subpoenaed the sermons of five pastors for speaking out against a proposed restroom ordinance that would allow men into women’s restrooms and other safe places. The Houston Pastor Council responded. Hundreds of pastors stood together and empowered their congregations to overwhelmingly vote down the ordinance. This stance for biblical values in Houston demonstrated the necessity to establish a national Pastor Council that would work to start local Pastor Councils in every city in America.
Today, under the leadership of Pastor Steve Riggle, new Pastor Councils are forming across the nation.
Our leadership team is comprised of seasoned pastors and ministry leaders who are committed to serving the body of Christ and advancing the Kingdom of God across America.
Steve and Becky met in college, and for Steve it was love at first sight. They were married nine months later (Steve was 19 by two weeks, and Becky was 20). They have now been partners in life and ministry for over five decades.While doing ministry in a prison in the Philippines in 1978, Steve and....
Jason J. Nelson is one of the teaching pastors at Grace Woodlands Church. He holds B.A., M.A., M.Ed., M.Div. and Ph.D. degrees from Trinity International University, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Houston Christian (Baptist) University, Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist Universi...
Dr. Hernan Castano was born in Medellin Colombia and with his wife Wendy Castano they serve as the Senior Pastors of Rios de Aceite, Rivers of Oil Church, wih locations in Houston and Katy, Texas. He serves...
Rev. Dave Welch (1961-2025) devoted his life to strengthening pastors and elevating the voice of the Church across our city, our state, and our nation. As Founder and President of the Houston Area Pastors Council, Texas Pastors Council, and U.S. Pastors Council, he tirelessly called pastors to stand united for biblical truth and moral clarity. Dave’s courage, conviction, and servant leadership left an enduring imprint on Houston and beyond, and continues through every pastor he encouraged and every stand he helped Pastors take. We honor his life, his legacy, and the mission he championed.
