Our Team

Senior Pastor

Roger Poupart

Roger is a homegrown Texan from Dallas. He discovered the Hill Country while attending the University of Texas at Austin. At UT Roger earned his BA in Psychology and also met his future wife, Kim. Kim is a New Jersey native but became a naturalized Texan when she moved to Plano, TX in middle school. Roger and Kim had their honeymoon in San Antonio 28 years ago, and after 12 years of infertility have been blessed with three wonderful children: Sarah, Hannah, and Zachary.After UT, Roger returned to Dallas where he served as a Dallas Police Officer while earning his ThM in Pastoral Leadership from Dallas Theological Seminary. He later completed his Doctorate at Dallas Theological Seminary while pastoring churches in Kaufman, TX and Des Moines, IA.Roger has used Macintosh computers since they first came out and is a Dr. Pepper drinker. He loves spending time with his kids and outdoor activities like fishing, hunting, and camping (the real kind where you put a pack on your back and file a plan with the Ranger so they know where to begin looking for you when you haven’t returned after a week in the mountains).

Executive Pastor

John Gordon

Email: JohnG@waysidechapel.org
Phone: 210.318.2254

John joined the Wayside Pastoral Team in May 2005. Having attended the University of Texas at Austin, he finished his bachelor of Business Administration (B.BA) degree at the University of North Texas in 1977. John spent the next 28 years as a multi-unit franchisee of a major restaurant chain. He also has 28 years experience leading youth ministries. John has served as both a deacon and elder and was ordained in 1999. He completed a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies (M.A.BS) Degree at Dallas Theological Seminary in 2006. John and Kathy have been married since 1977. The following year, they moved to San Antonio where they raised their four children, Katie, Christen, Susanna, and Johnny.

Associate Pastor

Walt McCord

Born and raised in rural northern Pennsylvania, Walt has been involved in pastoral ministry and Bible teaching over the past 35 years. His formal education includes a B.S. in Education from Pennsylvania State University, a B.S. in Bible from Philadelphia College of Bible, an M.A. in Biblical Studies and Th.M. in Bible Exposition from Dallas Theological Seminary, and an M.A. in Organizational Leadership from Indiana Wesleyan University.

Walt has a strong desire to train the next generation of disciples. He is passionate for the consistent application of Biblical truths in teaching and leadership. It is his heart’s desire to bear fruit in an honest, vital walk with the Lord and to grow in the knowledge and love for His Word. He lives to glorify the Lord by seeing individuals come to saving faith and deepen their relationship with God.

Walt was an Associate Professor of Bible at Moody Theological Seminary in Chicago, IL before their move to San Antonio in April 2015. He enjoys teaching God’s Word in the land of Israel and has led over 25 trips. Walt and Brenda have been married since 1982. They have raised three sons, have added two daughters-in-law, and enjoy their time spent with seven grandchildren.

Director of Women's Ministries

Brenda McCord

Brenda is the Director of Women’s Ministries at Wayside Chapel. She enjoys spending time with women and listening to their personal stories of God’s redemptive grace. She believes each of us has value in God’s eyes, and it is important to identify our God-given abilities and spiritual gifts. Brenda’s desire is to equip and encourage women in their daily walks with the Lord. She is married to Walt, mother of three adult sons, blessed to have two daughters-in-law, and adores their five grandchildren. One of her favorite ways to spend time with God is to go for a long run. She enjoys reading historical fiction books and writing in her journal.

Director of Communications

Heather Stagg

Pastor of Missions & Single Adult Ministries

Jason Uptmore

Email: JasonU@waysidechapel.org
Phone: 210.318.2238

Jason is married to his high school sweetheart Rachel and they are blessed and grateful to raise two little girls, Avery and Audrey. Jason is a proud Fighting Texas Aggie, as he and his wife graduated from Texas A&M University in 2009, where he received his B.A. in Communication. In August 2019, Jason earned an M.A. in Christian Leadership from Dallas Theological Seminary. Prior to his transition to Wayside Chapel, Jason taught and coached at the public-school level, while pioneering and leading a college ministry at UTSA. Jason has a heart for missions and discipleship and has a passion for preaching God’s Word. In his spare time, Jason loves spending time with his family, watching Aggie football and Spurs basketball, playing sports, barbecuing on the grill, fishing at the coast, and duck hunting at the ranch.

Director of Media

Jon Jerde

Director of 55 Plus, Agape, & AMEN Ministries

Lynn Hamilton

Pastor of Men's Ministries, Connect, & Leadership Development

Stephen Lay

Stephen, a native of Tennessee and graduate of the University of Tennessee (Go Vols!) spent eight years developing commercial and residential real estate prior to entering Dallas Theological Seminary where he obtained a Th.M. in Pastoral Leadership. His business experience has played an important role in his approach to ministry, especially with men.

Stephen has served every life stage in Adult Ministries and has a passion for reproducing discipleship, leadership development, and teaching God’s Word. Stephen has been impacted by the personal investment of others and believes deeply in “equipping the saints for the work of ministry.”

Stephen is married to Melody, a certified Optometric Vision Therapist, who helps correct vision related eye issues in children and adults. Stephen enjoys biking, basketball, college football, and almost anything aerobic. He loves to cook, date Melody, and spend time with his four sons; Matthew, Andrew, Gregory, and JP.