Rev. Brian Coats, Senior Minister

Brian Coats is a pastor, preacher, communicator, teacher, writer, speaker, husband and father. An ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), he has been the Senior Pastor at Central Christian Church since 2012. He is responsible for providing direction and care to the entire congregation. He serves as head of staff and preaches about 48 times per year. He guides and equips lay leaders in coordinating all the church’s ministries.


In 28 years of ministry, Brian has served as a senior pastor, associate pastor, youth minister and communications director. He feels a call to passionately and compassionately share the story of the life and love found in Jesus Christ. The grace of God has transformed his life, and he has made it his life’s work to be a creative, energetic missionary of the Gospel. Prior to becoming a minister, he was a sports writer in suburban Dallas.


Brian and Nicole Coats met at Texas A&M University and have been married since 1996. They have three children: Kiley, Cailyn and Joshua. Family is the most true and pure joy in Brian’s life.


Brian spends the vast majority of his free time watching his kids play sports. He considers himself a fairly-passionate Aggie sports fan, and his favorite scriptures are Matthew 5:14-16, John 15:9-17, Philippians and Psalm 16.


other Program and support staff


  • Alissa suver, music director

    Soprano Alissa Ruth Suver's warmth, clarity, and flexibility have allowed her to perform a wide variety of repertoire across the United States, both as a soloist and ensemble singer.



    Currently based in Central Texas, Alissa can be heard with a variety of professional choral ensembles around the country, including the Santa Fe Desert Chorale, GRAMMY®-nominated Skylark, Orpheus Chamber singers, Verdigris Ensemble, GRAMMY®-winning Conspirare, GRAMMY®-winning The Crossing, and GRAMMY®-nominated True Concord. 


    In addition to her performance work, Alissa is an active teacher and conductor. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Education degree from Capital University in her home state of Ohio, and is currently pursuing her Master of Music in Choral Conducting degree from Baylor University. For more information, visit alissaruth.com.

  • Anita Selters, organist

    Anita has been the CCC Organist since 2014. She has lived in Waco since 1969. She enjoys quilting, reading and spending time at their ranch.


  • Brenda DeBerry, Office Manager

    Brenda began working at CCC in September 2021. She moved to Waco from The Woodlands, and she enjoys crocheting, traveling, and spending time with her puppy Nick.

  • JENNY AKIN, preschool director & INTERIM CHILDREN's ministry director

    With over a decade of service to Noah's Ark Preschool, Jenny motivates her teachers  with a passion for brain-based learning and problem solving through play.  With a BS from the University of North Texas, she is a certified teacher with a specialization is Language Arts.

  • LEANN LENOIR, Custodian

    LeAnn has been on our church staff for 6 years. She lives in Mart, TX.