Staff and Boards
God is our CEO, Chairman of the Board, and also does most of the work!We just bring any crowns that happen to come our way, and lay them at His feet.
Painting:Cast Our Crowns, oil on canvas, image courtesy Jim Janknegt
Staff
Thomas Cogdell - Director and Founder of Austin House of Prayer
My responsibilities at AHOP are: Co-leading the community with my wife Amy, leading the staffThe passion God has given me is: Seeing the vision God has for AHOP in years to come, and communicating that vision clearly
Skills I have developed include:Leadership, written & verbal communication, project management
My five top strengths are: Strategy, Ideation, Inclusion, Intellection, Adaptibility
One of my weaknesses is: Underestimating the time it takes to actually get things done!
Outside of AHOP I enjoy: Being outdoors with my family
Amy Cogdell - Director and Co-Founder of Austin House of Prayer
My responsibilities at AHOP are:Co-leading the community with my husband Thomas, organizing community events and retreatsThe passion God has given me is: Pastoring and growing people in the community
Skills I have developed include: Teaching, communication, one-on-one mentoring
My five top strengths are: Belief, Responsibility, Input, Developer, Empathy
One of my weaknesses is: A sweet tooth
Outside of AHOP I enjoy: Hiking, walking, playing with my children
Matt LaCour - Cor 1:4 Project Director & Worship Team Development
My responsibilities at AHOP are: Leading the Cor 1:4 Project, part of which entails developing and maintaining relationships with Church leaders throughout the city; Helping Develope a netword of youth pastors in the city, also loving on the Lord in the prayer roomThe passion God has given me is: Seeing His church praying together and people having freedom in worship
Skills I have developed include:Leading worship, teaching, relating to people, and I can learn how to play an instrument in about a month
My five top strengths are: Empathy, Adaptability, Developer, Includer, Harmony
One of my weaknesses is: Drinking too much coffee
Outside of AHOP I enjoy: Biking, camping with friends, going on walks with my wife, eating, and music
Moriah LaCour - Community Development & Spiritual Direction
My resonsibilities at AHOP are: Coordinating and developing our 'community' of people who give time and energy to the house of prayer, as well as spending time in worship and praying for our city. I'm also the calendar keeper and various other odd jobs... :)The passion God has given me is: Seeing people full of life and freedom in Jesus
Skills I have developed include: Facilitating small groups, graphics and design, and ninja skills.
My five top strengths are: Empathy, Developer, Relator, Positivity, Maximizer
One of my weaknesses is: Checking my e-mail more than necessary
Outside of AHOP I enjoy: Cooking and eating, playing games, reading, walking and making things look pretty
Maricela Vidaurri - Facilities Manager, Arts, Hospitality
My responsibilities at AHOP are: Hospitality and enjoying God in the prayer room. hoo!The passion God has given me is: Music, dance, joy and seeing people set free.
Skills I have developed include:How to speak up (still learning), how to get a Costco card
My five top strengths are: Adaptable, Belief, Empathy, Connectedness, Futuristic
One of my weaknesses is: Daydreaming till it becomes true to my heart. doh!
Outside of AHOP I enjoy: What? Outside of AHOP? Does such a world exist? If it did, I would probably run, make music, dance and play
Joelene Michel - Administration & Spiritual Direction
My responsibilities at AHOP are: Office Administration, Bookkeeping, Personal Assistant to Thomas, Leading prayer in the Prayer Room. The passion God has given me is: Counseling, raising up youth, music and worship
Skills I have developed include: Leadership, Communication, Finance, also learning piano.
My five top strengths are: Developer, Empathy, Woo, Individualization, Positivity
One of my weaknesses is: Being under-assertive & not delegating = taking on too much of others' responsibilities.
Outside of AHOP I enjoy: Spending time with family, cycling, yoga, music, the greenbelt.
Michael Michel - 567 Project Director & Worship Team Development
My responsibilities at AHOP are: Producing, Filming and Editing the '567 Project'; Leading prayer and worship, developing prayer teams in our Harp & Bowl prayer model. The passion God has given me is: Worship, music, philosophy,
Skills I have developed include: Leadership, Time Management, Communication / Management of people with diverse personalities and 'processing types'.
My five top strengths are: Intellection, Input, Ideation, Context, Relator
One of my weaknesses is: Hesitancy to even begin a task if I doubt I have the time and resources to fully accomplish it.
Outside of AHOP I enjoy: Reading, music, cycling, running,
* The Strengths mentioned are from StrengthsFinders ...
Staff Responsibilities and Accountability
Our staff are supported by donations. They are committed to remaining accountable to their supporters, to work hard in building united 24/7 prayer in the city. Here's how they divide their time.
Full-time staff members work 40 hours per week:
Why do we not ask for more of our staff's time? We require each staff member to be an active member of a local church body, and so we leave enough non-work hours for meaningful church participation, as well as for maintaining a healthy family life. Even so, many of our staff voluntarily work more than we ask, because they know God's call and the urgency of the work ... and because they enjoy it!
Our staff track their hours weekly, have small accountability groups amongst themselves, as well as a monthly report to the whole group. Each staff member meets regularly with Thomas or Amy as well for mentoring and accountability.
Full-time staff members work 40 hours per week:
- 8 leading prayer in the prayer room
- 8 in prayer (not leading) & formation
- 16 in work responsibilities
- 8 in maintaining relationships with supporters
- 5 leading prayer
- 5 in prayer (not leading) & formation
- 10 in work responsibilities
Why do we not ask for more of our staff's time? We require each staff member to be an active member of a local church body, and so we leave enough non-work hours for meaningful church participation, as well as for maintaining a healthy family life. Even so, many of our staff voluntarily work more than we ask, because they know God's call and the urgency of the work ... and because they enjoy it!
Our staff track their hours weekly, have small accountability groups amongst themselves, as well as a monthly report to the whole group. Each staff member meets regularly with Thomas or Amy as well for mentoring and accountability.
Austin House of Prayer Board of Directors
Each member of the AHOP's Board of Directors is also an active member of the AHOP Community.
- Felipe Adams(Treasurer)
- Amy Cogdell (Chairman)
- Thomas Cogdell
- Jack Dorman
- Sandi Pedrotti (Secretary)
Antioch Network Advisory Council
Austin House of Prayer is a member of Antioch Network, an international network of ministries working in the areas of reconciliation, cross-cultural missions and apprenticeship to Jesus. Antioch Network is led by George and Hanna Miley, former directors of Operation Mobilization. Amy and Thomas are members of and mutually submitted to the Antioch Network Council, which includes George and Hanna as well as leaders from other ministries in Antioch Network.