Tom Swartz (Texoma Valley Area Director)

 I graduated from Sanger High School, earned a bachelor’s degree from The University of North Texas in Kinesiology, and earned my master’s degree in Education from Texas Wesleyan.  In my educational career of 32 years, I served as a teacher, a coach, and for several years as an administrator. 

 I have lived much of my life in the Denton County area.    I have a wonderful wife and three children, all of who are grown and working. My wife Brenda works in airport logistics as a bid and proposal manager My oldest is an ER nurse in Denton, my son-in-law drives for a trucking company out of Boyd, my son is a forest firefighter and is a Hella-Repeller for the US Forestry Service, and my youngest daughter is a bungee fitness instructor and works at a major defense contractor company in Oklahoma City.

  I have two beautiful granddaughters ages 8 and 2.  I am beginning my third year working for Fellowship of Christian Athletes as the newest area director here in the North Texas area.   

James Bridges (Area Representative)

 I am so thankful and blessed to be a part of the Texoma Valley FCA Team. My wife Patti and I have been married for 36 years with two sons, Brise 35, and Rowdy 31. We have 4 grandchildren, Keagen 12, Ryker 7, Adley 5, and Oakland 2. I have had the privilege of being a youth pastor for 7 years, and a pastor for 3 years. Currently, I lead a daily Bible study at work, and my wife and I are the FCA coaches for Valley View and host weekly FCA huddles in our home.

One of my favorite verses is the first one I memorized as a believer, Colossians 2:6-7 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

My passion is to see lives changed thru the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and disciples made so that they will impact others for generations to come 2 Timothy 2:2.

To also see our public schools once again honoring God, educating young people to be stewards of themselves and this great country God has so richly entrusted to us.

Harvard, which was established in 1636, wrote in its student handbook, “Let every student be plainly instructed, and earnestly pressed to consider well, the main end of his life and studies is to know God and Jesus Christ, which is eternal life…John. 17:3.

To be truly happy, and to have true success in life is to know Jesus as Lord and Savior and to glorify Him, that is my passion.

Paola Koerner (Administrative Assistant)

Paola was born in Germany to two Italian parents. She learned early on to maneuver between two cultures and languages. She went on to study languages at the University of Saarbruecken, Germany, and finished her degree at the University of North Texas. 

She met her husband while studying in Germany and in 2004 they got married and moved back to Dallas. 

Paola and Phil have two beautiful girls that are 13 years and 11 years old. In September of 2021, Paola came on staff at FCA and has loved serving in this capacity ever since.

 Watching the Lord unfold his plan is such a privilege.  She is now serving multiple directors as their Executive Administrative Assistant and is looking forward to seeing the Lord do amazing work through Texoma Valley FCA. 

Lowell Strike (Texoma Valley FCA Board Chairman)

It has been a blessing in my life to have been a part of FCA since 1969. From high school to college and then as a coach, God has used FCA as a vehicle to impact my personal and professional life in so many positive ways.  I have been honored to serve athletes and coaches as a board member on the Iowa FCA Board, Brazos Valley FCA Board, and the West Houston FCA Board as well as in my current role with the Texoma Valley FCA Board.

  I received my BS degree from Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa before moving to College Station in 1991 to complete my MS and Ph.D. in Educational Administration at Texas A&M. God has allowed me to serve others as a middle and high school principal as well as several central office administrative positions until my retirement as a Superintendent of Little Elm ISD in 2017.

 I have been married to my wife Kimi for over 50 years. During my tenure as a coach, Kimi also served FCA and was a founding member of an adult FCA Huddle in Iowa. We have two children, Shannon (GA) and Evan (TX) as well as two grandchildren, Michaela (FL), and Christian (GA).  

It is my passion to see the next generation come to know Jesus as their Savior and Lord and to serve as God places the call on their lives through their natural gifts and God’s anointing.  

Two important scriptures I would like to share with everyone are: 

Philippians 2: 9-11 

Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

Hebrews 12:1-2 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer, and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.