Rev. Mark Plunkett, Senior Co-Pastor

Meet our Senior Co-Pastor, Rev. Mark Plunkett.

Mark was called to ministry while an active member of Spring Branch Pres, where he had served in many leadership and youth focused positions with church and the Spring Branch Presbyterian Academy, including serving on the Academy Board of Directors and as Interim Director of Christian Education and Children’s Ministries for Spring Presbyterian Church.  He’s a second career pastor, after a long and successful elementary and middle school teaching career at Spring Branch ISD.  

Spring Branch Pres called him home in September of 2023, after he had served for 12 years as Pastor of nearby Heritage Presbyterian Church in Houston, Tx, the only other call he had held since he was ordained.  

In his own words: “I was born in Austin and raised in the Catholic church from the time I was an infant.  I converted to the Presbyterians in 1980 and joined my beloved grandparents’ church.  My wife, Jeanne, and I met on a blind date on Valentine’s Day 1981. We both moved to Houston, married in 1983 and built our home and family in Spring Branch.  We have two adult children, Daniel and Megan, who attended Spring Branch Pres, and 3 grandchildren – Logan, Teddy, and Coco.

I have always felt a bond of love and affection to Spring Branch Pres.  I am blessed and extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to come “home” and serve my former home church.”  

Mark holds a BS in Education from UT Austin, a Master of Education from UH, and received his Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary in 2011, after beginning his call to ministry at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary from 2003-08. Mark can be reached at 713-464-7659 and by email Here.

Rev. Savannah Goodman, Co-Pastor for Family Ministries

Rev. Savannah Goodman is thrilled to join Spring Branch Presbyterian as Co-Pastor! 

Through a dual degree program, Savannah graduated with her Master of Divinity (MDiv) from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary and her Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) from the University of Texas at Austin in May of 2022.

Savannah is a native Austinite, and, although she has a great appreciation of Texas, she attended Davidson College in North Carolina and graduated with a Psychology major and a Hispanic Studies minor.

Starting in college, Savannah started exploring her love of being in community with and supporting people, especially children and youth, and since has continued to seek out the intersections and overlaps between clinical social work and pastoral care.

Savannah is an ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament in the PC(USA) Church and holds the Licensed Master Social Work (LMSW) credential.

In her free time, Savannah loves to spend time with her husband, Jordan, read science fiction and fantasy novels, play board games, knit, and hike.  She is involved both with a monthly intergenerational crafting group and a monthly social justice family book club. Savannah can be reached at 713-464-7659 and by email Here.

Jorida Vakiari, Business Administrator

Jorida earned her BS in Economics in 2000. She has over twenty years of experience in accounting, financial planning, analysis and banking. Ms. Vakiari has worked as, among others, Advisor/Accountant Manager at Crescent Real Estate LLC, Personal Banker at IBC BANK, etc. Jorida performs all duties as business administrator, accountant, and newsletter editor. With her smile, devotion, and excellent communication skills, she is happy to help with any inquiries. Her inspiration is serving One by serving many. To contact Jorida by email, Click Here, or contact her at 713-464-7659.

Ethan Mitchell, Director of Audio-Visual Resources & Administrative Assistant

Ethan is a graduate of Texas State University with a BFA in Theatre with an emphasis in Stage Management. In addition to being on the church staff, Ethan is a third generation member, and has been Baptized, Confirmed, and Ordained as an Elder at SBPC. He is also currently chair of Communications. Outside of SBPC, Ethan is a freelance AEA Stage Manager. To contact Ethan by email, Click Here. Click Here to submit an Audio-Visual Request.

Gabe Perez, Director of Music

Gabe Perez is from the Houston area and received his BA in Vocal Performance from Sam Houston State University. In addition to being the Music Director at Spring Branch, he teaches choir at Northbrook High School, and sings with the Houston Grand Opera. He also gives private lessons. In 2000, Mr. Perez moved to New York City to pursue a singing career as well as teach music throughout the New York area. While in New York he sang with Connecticut Opera Alliance and performed the role of Alfredo in Die Fledermaus with the Danbury Symphony.  Mr. Perez was also accepted into the Caramoor Opera Festival in Katonah. Mr. Perez belongs to TCDA and TMEA and is listed in Who’s Who Among American High School Teachers as well as Who’s Who Among American Classical Musicians.  To contact Gabe, Click Here.

Jonathan Craft, Accompanist

Jonathan is a Houston native, and a highly sought-after pianist, conductor, music director, keyboard programmer, and composer-arranger.  Most recently, he served as the Associate Music Director on two national tours of Cats.  Locally, he has worked with TUTS, Stages Theatre, Queensbury Theatre, Sam Houston State University, the University of St. Thomas, University of Houston, Lone Star Lyric Theatre, the Lone Star College system, the Symphony of Southeast Texas, the ECHO Orchestra, HITS Theatre, Wildfish Theatre, the Evelyn Rubenstein JCC theatre program, and numerous other schools, theaters, and venues.  He was previously the minister of music at Grace Lutheran Church in Montrose, and has been a guest musician at Resurrection MCC, River Oaks Baptist Church, Congregation Beth Israel, Second Baptist Church, and the Houston Congregation of Reform Judaism.  He is the staff pianist at the Kinkaid School, and is on staff in the musical theatre department of SHSU.  He sends all the love in his heart to his husband Edward, and to their three cats.  www.jonathancraft.net