Our Elders
Travis Cardwell, Lead Pastor
Travis Cardwell was born and raised in Texas. He did not grow up in a Christian home. The Lord graciously opened his eyes to his need for Christ while in college at Texas A&M University. It was also during his college years that he married Alicia. Travis began to serve at his local church in Bryan, and soon sensed a call to minister the gospel full-time. After graduation from A&M, Travis began studies at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. While in seminary, he served as a youth minister and associate pastor in his hometown of Liberty, TX. Upon graduation, he and Alicia moved to the Houston area to serve at Baptist Church of the Redeemer. After fourteen years at BCR, Travis now serves as the Preaching Pastor at UPBC. Travis and Alicia have four children.
Stacy Kaufmann, Elder
Bio coming soon!
Mathen (Bobby) Mathew, Elder
Bobby was born in S. India to Syrian Christian parents and although having been exposed to Christianity at an early age, did not grasp the good news of salvation until his High School years in Madras, India. His father, who was first saved in 1970, was eager to see his children come to faith in Christ and wrote many letters urging his children to be saved. That witness along with the witness of faithful Christians from Youth For Christ to teachers resulted in his becoming a true believer in 1974. Bobby and his younger brother arrived in NY that year to join their parents. He graduated from High School in Houston and then from The University of Texas at Austin. He began working in the Upstream sector for a major oil company in 1981 and that same year was one of the founding members of Houston International Christian Fellowship (HICF) along with Martha whom he married in 1984 as they both shared a common vision. Reaching others for Christ has been central to their marriage and family life. They have 2 grown children (David & Esther) who also love the Lord. The Lord Jesus has faithfully preserved their marriage and family allowing them to labor in His field through His strength and has provided His protection and resources in incredible ways. Now retired after 40 years of secular work, he looks forward to all that God will continue to accomplish for His purposes in the years to come.
Dave Mitchell, Elder
Dave Mitchell was born in Michigan but became a “naturalized Texan” at the age of five. He grew up in a Christian home, where he repented of sin and believed the Gospel of Jesus at the age of six during a summer church revival. In college, he studied English and theater at Oklahoma Baptist University, before returning home to Houston and eventually joining MD Anderson's research administration office as a scientific editor in 2003. Dave first met his wife Heidi in 2010 while teaching young-adult Sunday school at Champion Forest Baptist Church. Dave and Heidi were married in 2014 and have been blessed with 2 beautiful little girls. In his rare moments of free time, Dave likes to unwind with a big stack of books and an even bigger mug of coffee.
Sam Webb, Elder
Originally from Channelview, Texas, Sam Webb was converted by simply reading the Bible in June 2004 after his Freshman year at Texas A&M University. After graduation from Texas A&M, Sam graduated with a law degree from Texas Tech University School of Law where, more importantly, he met and married Lindsey and they now have three young children. Sam is also a graduate of Reformed Theological Seminary. He served as College Minister at FBC Wolfforth, TX, Deacon at Arlington Baptist Church in Arlington, VA, and Elder at Baptist Church of the Redeemer in Houston, TX. Sam is a lawyer and wealth advisor in Houston. His great passion is the preaching of God's Word and the building up of God's Church.