Meet our Team
Dominic Encinas
I’m Dominic Encinias, leader at THEHEART. I’m originally from Santa Fe, New Mexico but I’ve lived in Texas for the last 30 years, and did all of my growing up in San Antonio so I have a deep love for the Spurs. Basketball is something that I really enjoy playing, in real life and XBOX with my son. I love watching the NBA and being able to take my fam to Spurs games.
At THEHEART, we have some really meaningful core values, one of which is Choice. Choice is the value that connects with me the most because it’s what allows everything else to happen. I feel that choice makes our relationship with God so powerful, it’s what gives depth to faith. And, we need to choose to be a part of community.
In 2016, my wife Amber and my son Korben decided to gather with a few great friends and start a church community called THEHEART. We’ve been on a wild journey of grace and hope since. We’ve gained so much along the way and the best is yet to come.One of my favorite things to say about our community is, “You don’t have to go to church here to go to church here.” I love being a part of a church community where people can have a sense of belonging before they are required to believe what we believe.
Birdie schneider
My name is Birdie Schneider and I am one of the leaders here at THEHEART! I have the greatest joy of getting to lead worship on the HEARTband. I was raised right here in this beautiful city of San Marcos and I get to see some of my family that lives in the area here at THEHEART as well! I love all of the core values we are rooted in, but my favorite core value is CHOICE. I believe that God empowers us with wisdom and strength to make our own choices in our lives and then makes the choice Himself to love us regardless of those choices. My favorite things to do are spend time with my amazing friends, watch movies, sing, and hangout with my boxer dog, Otto.
Matthew Worthington
My name is Matthew Worthington; I lead our Further Faster team here at THEHEART and I play cajone in the band on Sundays. I’m originally from Illinois but have lived in San Marcos for 9 years now. One of my favorite things to do is to float the San Marcos River! Each of our core values means a lot to me, but if I have to pick one it would be Community and my family LOVES being a part of this community. My wife Michele serves in the Connect Center on Sunday mornings and my six-year old daughter Evelyn hangs out with her friends in HEARTkids!
Crystal stautzenberger
Hi, I'm Crystal! I spend my time at THEHEART in a few different places; I currently lead our amazing Marketing Team, CONNECT Group Leaders, and am a part of our Next level leadership team. I just can't get enough of old-school R&B, coffee, Brene Brown, and all things THEHEART. I am a mother, daughter, USAF Veteran, and lover of people. When I am not at my favorite place on earth, THEHEART (move over Disney), I am typically hanging out with my daughter Makai and you can find us any place that animals roam! My favorite core value at THEHEART is honesty. I believe that Jesus brought me to this earth to spread a message of love, empowerment, and grace and serving on THEHEART Leadership team is a vessel for me to do just that.
Our hope is that you join our big-messy-beautiful family so that you can experience community, connection, and the heart of God in a new way.