Ministry Team

I was born in San Antonio, Texas to Jose V. and Rosalinda S. Espinoza. I am the oldest of three boys and one older sister. I was raised in San Antonio, Texas and graduated in 1995 from Sidney Lanier High School. After high school, I continued my education at San Antonio College and Harding University School of Biblical Studies in Searcy, Arkansas.

At the age of 15, I was baptized at Grove Avenue Church of Christ in San Antonio, Texas, where I was part of an inner-city youth group. Later at the age of 23, I was invited to volunteer in some medical campaigns to different parts of Mexico, which made me realize how blessed I was by God. Upon returning from one of the medical campaigns, I was encouraged by my now brother-in-law, Esteban Gonzales, to get to know Christ better and attend Harding School of Biblical Studies. I was already seeing God's blessings, but I wanted to know more of his word and that grace which saved me. After attending Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas, I came to Poteau, Oklahoma to see my first niece born. Coming to Poteau, Oklahoma is a blessing because God continues to bless me and now uses me in the sharing of his word. Poteau, Oklahoma is also where God blessed me with my beautiful wife, Amy S. Espinoza, and my Christian family at the Poteau Church of Christ, where I now serve as the Spanish Minister.

Kevin Lashley

Kevin Lashley became a member at Poteau in June of 2011 following his wife Linda, daughter Bethany, and son Dakota who became members in August of 2010. Kevin became the NewLife Behavior instructor at the Jim E. Hamilton Correctional Center in Hodgen, Oklahoma in July 2014 and became Poteau's prison minister in August 2019. Kevin also became an ODOC volunteer chaplain in November 2020. Lifelong residents of Eastern Oklahoma, Kevin and Linda have 3 grandchildren, Avery, Warran and Gentry and son-in-law Sydney. Poteau's Prison Ministry provides a weekly Worship Service and Bible Study Class each Sunday morning and a monthly Sunday evening service at JEHCC as well as a New Life Behavior Class each Thursday night. Our ministry also provides New Life Behavior Correspondence Courses throughout the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.

Manny took the position of our Youth  Minister on December, 1 2021 after working at Walmart for 15 years. He has been married to Sarah Rivera since September 4^th, 2016, and both have made it their life’s mission to encourage tomorrow’s generation of Christians to live for Christ today. Born and Raised in The Bronx, Manny grew up within the city life of the Big Apple, NYC. After living there for 21 years, he moved to Perkins, Ok in what he believes was the start of his hearts calling for a higher power. After a few years in Stillwater, OK he was introduced to the Poteau Church of Christ and was baptized in 2011. Since 2011 Manny has served in many capacities within the ministries of the church, mainly the youth. Being mentored by Don Cherry and Paul Fletcher, Manny showed growth and a confident relationship With God that has led him to preach on several occasions. His eagerness to serve, humility and his joyful spirit have become tools to engage with the younger generation. “I feel the way I lived my life before Christ, the trials and mistakes I’ve made have made it easier to surrender my life to God, in exchange for a better one in Christ Jesus. The life experience I have is now used to bring others to Christ, and also to bring people to a better understanding of the purpose God has for us.

Paul Williams

I was born in Arlington, TX, in 1959. We moved back ‘home' to Sebastian County, AR, when I was 7 years old. We had a farm and my dad began preaching. We moved again from Hackett, AR, to Wayne, OK, when I was 14 years old. I graduated high school from Wayne. Upon graduation, I attended Oklahoma Christian College for two years. I then went to the Bear Valley School of Biblical Studies and went through their intense three year program. I began my career as a youth minister in Wellington, TX. After a couple of years, I then went into full time pulpit ministry. I have preached in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma. When I turned 40, I left full time ministry and began working at Sebastian County Road Department, in Greenwood AR. I continued preaching and teaching in a ‘part time' capacity. I have three children, PJ, Kristin, and Austin, five grandchildren, one step daughter, and one step granddaughter. I have been married to Gina for 7 ½ years. Gina and I love people. We accepted the Involvement Minister position in November, 2018. This position is one that we cherish. We love meeting new people and having people into our home.