STAFF
Dan Haby, Jr. – Lead Pastor
Dan is the Lead Elder and Lead Pastor of Cowboy Way Church and has been since its inception in 2005. He has been involved in various ministries since 1985, including authoring articles for publications, as well as traveling as an evangelist for nine years with world-wide speaking engagements. Dan has also served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Texas Fellowship of Cowboy Churches. During his lifetime, he has competed as a professional rodeo cowboy in virtually all events with numerous championships on the professional, college, and high school levels. Dan has a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary along with a Master of Arts in Religious Education and two undergraduate diplomas from that same institution. He is currently working on his Doctorate of Ministry degree from Kingʼs Seminary in Van Nuys, CA.
Melanie Haby – Co-Pastor
Melanie is Co-pastor and Worship Elder for Cowboy Way Church. Joining Dan in marriage in July of 2006, Melanie brought with her 10 years of ministry experience with western heritage churches and para-church organizations, as well as traditional churches. Melanie also has 18 years of corporate work experience. She has a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a BBA from Midwestern State University. Her passions include worshiping her Lord Jesus and teaching others about how to live for Him.
Lisa Cozart – Pastoral Secretary
Lisa grew up in Fort Worth, but most of her summers were spent in Godley, Texas. She accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior at the age of 13 at a revival at First Baptist Church in Godley. She has been active at Cowboy Way Church since its inception and is currently the Pastoral Secretary, along with many other volunteer responsibilities and activities. She has a new found passion for learning to play the bass guitar, all while maintaining her skills and interests in long-term activities, such as cooking, barrel racing, and camping. Lisa has been married to Linden for 16 years, and they have two sons and one daughter. Amanda, their daughter, was active at Cowboy Way until she graduated from college and moved away.
Leigh Williams – Children’s Pastor
Leigh Williams came to Cowboy Way Church in the summer of 2005 and volunteered to begin the children’s ministry in January of 2006. The thought was that she would do it until someone else felt called. Leigh always knew she wanted to work with children but never dreamed it would be in this capacity, and after awhile it finally dawned on her that God had brought her to this position to fulfill her calling for which He had prepared her. She is a licensed counselor and social worker. Leigh feels it is an honor and a privilege to work with the children of Cowboy Way Church. Leigh has a Master Degree in Social Work and resides in Alvarado with her husband of 14 years, Shawn and her two children, Kaden and Brinkley.
Aaron Perry – Youth Pastor
Aaron was raised in Oklahoma City where he found a deep love for God at a young age. He grew up very active in his home church and was guided by a lot of amazing men and women of God! He played football throughout junior high and high school and received a scholarship to Southwestern Assembly of God University. He was recognized as the #1 defensive tackle in 6A football for Oklahoma and thought his career was in sports, but God soon revealed that He had a different plan for Aaron. God then led him to Christ For the Nations Institute where he studied for three years with an emphasis in Youth Ministry. His passion is to see young people encounter God, be empowered by the Holy Spirit, and walk into the inheritance that God has for their lives. He is honored to be a part of the lives of this younger generation, and is so eager to see God’s plan unveiled in the life of every person that attends Cowboy Way.
GOVERNING ELDERS
Dan Haby, Jr.
Melanie Haby
Jan Stanton
Jan married her husband Randy in 1973. They have three sons, Craig, Matt & Josh. Craig married Angela and blessed Jan and Randy with two grandchildren, Tatum and Kerry. Jan has worked outside the home for most of her married life. She is presently working at Harbison-Fischer in Crowley, Texas and has been there since 1993 in the Export Department. She has also served on the HF Employee Federal Credit Union Board of Directors as the secretary for the past five years. Jan and Randy have been members of Cowboy Way Church since 2006. Jan enjoys spending time with family and serving wherever God leads her. She currently sings in the choir, serves on the Altar Team as a prayer warrior, and also serves on the Arena Ministry Team, running the concession stand.
ADVISORY ELDERS
Leigh Williams
Bret Bullard
Bret grew up in Joshua where he graduated from high school in 1998. He married his high school sweetheart Autumn in 2000. They have two awesome kids named Tatem and Rowdy. The family now lives in Alvarado where they are heavily involved in the Joshua Youth Association through which their kids play basketball, baseball, softball, and football. Bret is the young adult leader at Cowboy Way Church, which includes those just graduating from high school, all the way through those who feel young enough to be in the group. He teaches his class how to live a counter-culture lifestyle that makes a world-changing difference but doesn’t turn people off. His story is that Jesus saved him out of a life of partying and self-destruction through the testimony and biblical teaching of one man, so he knows that he can make a difference in other people’s lives for Jesus too. Bret and Autumn are pursuing their education at Christ for the Nations Institution in Dallas. Bret is a real estate agent and is involved in a few other business ventures. He says that living for God is not always easier, but it is better because if he does things God’s way, God takes what little he has and makes it more than enough.
LaWayne Clary
LaWayne grew up in Weatherford, Texas and currently lives in Burleson. He graduated from Burleson High School, has one older sister, one younger brother, two grown sons, and one grown daughter. He has been married to the love of his life since 1992. LaWayne grew up in a Christian home and accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior when he was a teenager. In 2005 LaWayne and his family gave in to their youngest sonʼs pleas to visit Cowboy Way Church, and they are still here! Once becoming a part of Cowboy Way Church, LaWayne began growing in Bible knowledge and ministering to others. He serves as a discipler and mentor in the Discipleship Classes offered by Cowboy Way and is an Usher. He and his wife, Laurie, serve the church in the media ministry. He also helps out wherever he is needed and is always dependable. LaWayneʼs current goal and vision is to start a Christian fabrication school where he teaches young adults a trade, as well as develops their godly character through mentoring and Bible study.
Gary Davis
Gary was born in Fort Worth, Texas and graduated from O.D. Wyatt High School. He married his wife Mary in 1979, and they have lived in Burleson, Texas since 1986. They have one son, Casey, one daughter, Crystal, and four grandchildren. He has worked for Lockheed Martin Aerospace as an Aircraft Assembler since 1996. He has been affiliated with Cowboy Way Church for six years and currently serves the church by helping to organize volunteers for various events. His spiritual gift is “acts of service,” so he serves the Body of Christ through physical ways as an act of worship to Jesus his Lord. His personal interests include fellowship among believers. His deepest passion and prayers are for souls who are blind to the Good News of Jesus. He knows there is hope for all because he was a dead, lost soul, and Christ made him alive to His goodness for His good pleasure, and Gary knows that Jesus wants to and will do the same for anyone who calls on His name. Gary is also a volunteer on Cowboy Way Churchʼs Youth Team where he is able to help young men and women and provides an environment where teenagers can grow in their relationship with Christ our Savior. Gary also helps as an Usher and is on the Prayer team.
David Goff
David was born in Cleburne, Texas, and has lived in Alvarado all of his life. He attended all 12 years of school in Alvarado and graduated from Alvarado High School. He married his wife, Kristi, in 1992. They have two children, Rowdy who attends Alvarado High School and Mackenzie who attends Alvarado Junior High School. His hobbies are team roping, hunting, fishing, and camping with friends and family. David seeks to put God first in everything he does and to praise Him with all of his heart. David is a member, along with Kristi, of Cowboy Way Churchʼs Youth Team where they are helping to mold teenagers into godly men and women who will change their worlds for Jesus.
Tysha Franklin
Tysha has been with Cowboy Way Church since its inception in 2005. She became a part of the choir in 2008 and shortly after, answered the call to be a part of the Praise Team. Tysha has a passion to worship the Lord and to help others and by example, experience the presence of the Holy Spirit through that worship. She and her husband Charles have two wonderful boys, Zane and Brody. Together, they’re tremendously excited to go out and make some footprints.
Joe Pipps
Joe was raised in Beaumont/Port Arthur, TX and currently lives in Burleson with his wife, Raenelle. They were married in 1971. He is also a proud father and grandfather. Joe has been a professional musician since 1960. He has been with Cowboy Way Church since its inception. He has served the Lord and His people through being involved in the Worship Team in whatever areas were needed, such as sound engineer, Band Director, bass player, lead guitarist, vocalist, and pastor.
Randy Stanton
Randy married his wife Jan in 1973. They have three sons Craig, Matt & Josh. Craig married Angela and blessed Randy and Jan with two grandchildren, Tatum and Kerry. Randy retired from General Motors in 2008 after 31 years of service. He is currently working for Johnson County Precinct 3 in the Adult Probation Department. He has been the Administrator of the Arena Ministry Team for the past three years, as well as serving in many other areas in the church.
Karen Vernon
Karen Vernon grew up in Weatherford, Texas and currently lives in Burleson. She has two younger brothers and one grown son. Karen graduated from Weatherford High School and from DeVry Institute of Technology with a degree in computer science for business. Karen grew up in a Christian home and accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior at an early age. In 1997 Karen was drawn to a closer relationship with Jesus Christ, and by 2000 she began serving in her local church home. Karen began growing in Bible knowledge, teaching, and ministering to others once becoming a part of Cowboy Way Church in 2005. She serves as a Bible study teacher for the 8-12 year old children. She is also involved in the Trails to Recovery ministry and participated and taught in the Discipleship Classes offered by Cowboy Way. She is a member of the Prayer Team and is a dedicated prayer warrior. Karen’s goal is to live each day in such a way that she shows others that Jesus Christ is Lord of her life.