Pastor

Robert is the husband of Melanie and the father of three adult children, as well as a daughter-in-law. Additionally, he is a proud grandfather to a new grandson. Born in Texas, he holds a degree in cellular biology from the University of Texas. During his college days in the 90s, he experienced significant spiritual growth through active participation in a local church and The Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Upon graduating from UT, Robert married Melanie, who is also a UT graduate and currently works as a middle school teacher in AISD. His journey led him to serve as a youth pastor in south Austin and later as a college pastor in Stillwater, OK, while pursuing a Master of Divinity at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

After completing his degree, in 1999, Robert and his family relocated to Amherst, Massachusetts, where he founded MERCYhouse and served as the lead pastor for 22 years. Currently, Robert is dedicated to serving at RTC as a pastor and lead church planter. You can reach Robert at robert@ridgetopchurch.org

Worship Leader

Noah grew up in the Rio Grande Valley and came to Austin to study at the University of Texas where he received a degree in Computer Science and now works in the tech industry. Noah’s college days were a time of significant spiritual growth and maturity. While in college, he was part of the Longhorn Baptist Student Ministry, served at Mission Centers of Houston for two summers, and served as a youth minister at a local church in Dripping Springs, TX. Post-college, he worked as a Longhorn BSM intern for a year before taking a tech job at Oracle. Noah has a passion for music and wishes to use those gifts to serve people and connect them with God. He has led worship for churches and ministries, playing both acoustic and electric guitar, bass, and singing. He serves as the worship leader at RTC and can be reached at noah@ridgetopchurch.org.

Staff Associate

Ellen is from the Houston area and has lived in Austin for the past 6 years. She graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in Social Work and a degree in Human Dimensions of Organization. Throughout college she was deeply involved in the Longhorn BSM where she grew in her relationship with Jesus and where a heart for engaging with people groups all over the world was cultivated. Throughout college she was given the opportunity to serve in several overseas contexts and work with refugees in the DFW area. After graduating, she went on staff at the Longhorn BSM to engage college students with the gospel, first as a Campus Missionary Intern and then as a Coordinator working with new freshman at UT. Ellen is now serving on staff at RTC in a variety of capacities including campus and community outreach, women’s ministry, and communications. You can reach Ellen at ellen@ridgetopchurch.org.

Intern

Gracie is a sophomore at the University of Texas at Austin, where she is studying International Relations. She grew up in the Rio Grande Valley before moving to Austin for college. Last fall, during her transition to college life, Gracie came to know Christ and began following Him. Since then, she has loved growing in her faith and being part of a Christ-centered community.

At UT, Gracie is involved in campus ministry through the Baptist Student Ministry (BSM), where she serves international students, builds relationships, and engages in conversations about faith, culture, and global issues. This past summer, she had the opportunity to serve in Germany through Mission Lab. During this stretching and growing time, she witnessed God’s work among people from different backgrounds and developed a deeper heart for serving international students.

Through her internship at Ridgetop, Gracie is eager to continue growing in her faith, gain ministry experience, and deepen her fellowship with the members of Ridgetop

Intern

Agatha, known as Aggie, grew up in a suburban town in the Greater Houston area. She is currently pursuing a Bachelors of Science in Statistics and Data Science with a certificate in Public Policy at the University of Texas at Austin.

Since college, she has deepened her faith through various forms of ministry such as Ignite Texas, the Longhorn BSM, and Austin Stone SDP. She has had the opportunity to engage missionally in the United States as well as overseas. Now a junior, Aggie has grown in her desire to magnify the Gospel through campus and community ministry.

Through these things and by God’s provision, she has been equipped to be a disciple that makes disciples. She is serving as an intern at RTC and can be reached at agatha@ridgetopchurch.org.

Intern

Greg is a sophomore from Colleyville, TX studying Neuroscience and Mathematics with a minor in computational engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. Growing up, he was raised Buddhist, was an Eagle Scout in the Scouts, and did several math competitions and scientific research fairs. When he got to Austin, an encounter with the people he met through the BSM helped him know Jesus’ loving character and the beautiful revelation that all gifts, experiences and strengths in his life are from Christ; his love for serving others, pursuing computational neuroscience research, and zeal to make a positive difference in the world are all from Jesus.

After he heard the gospel, he continued to come to Ridgetop Church on a regular basis, attending Bible studies and worship events at the BSM in addition to serving on a mission trip at South Padre Island.

Greg attributes God’s rich grace and mercy to where he is today and calls Ridgetop his family and home away from home where he has been able to grow in his faith exponentially.

You can reach Greg at gdh857@my.utexas.edu or he’d love to talk to you before or after service at and help you get connected at Ridgetop Church.

Volunteer Ridgetop Kids Coordinator

Mackenzie is from South Texas and holds a degree in Public Relations from the University of Texas at Austin. In his mercy, Jesus grew Mack’s faith during college through discipleship at the Baptist Student Ministry. In this college ministry, she served international women, led various missional communities to engage and equip students on campus, and served in multiple overseas contexts. While overseas, she provided child care for the local churches, teaching those kids the gospel, scripture memory, and prayer. She is now working full-time for the Longhorn BSM and serving RTC as the Volunteer Kids Coordinator. You can reach Mackenzie at mackenziepilgrim@utexas.edu

Ridgetop Church Internship

Are you interested in learning what it is like to work at a church plant or want to serve the local church in a more intentional way? Find out more about what it would be like to be an intern here at Ridgetop Church and apply for our next round.