Spring Valley staff


  • Rev. Paul Gould

    Senior Pastor

    Rev. Paul  Gould leads with a passion for people and a love for Jesus Christ as Senior Pastor at Spring Valley.  His ministry and messages couple life’s daily challenges with Biblical truth in ways that connect with warmth, provoke thought, and invite growth in faith.


    Before coming to Spring Valley Paul pastored churches in Plano, Greenville, McKinney and Dallas.   He also has served as a District Superintendent.   Paul received his Masters in Theology from S.M.U.  and has a Bachelors of Science in Engineering from Duke University.


    Paul and his wife, Julie, have two grown sons. To relax they enjoy water sports, gardening , reading, and cooking. roundedemail



  • Rev. Adam Young

    Associate Pastor

    Youth & contemporary worship

    Rev. Adam Young is responsible for the Youth Ministry and the Common Ground contemporary worship service among other pastoral duties. In this role, he inspires those who enjoy contemporary worship through preaching and cultivating the Common Ground community of faith at Spring Valley. He also leads our Spring Valley Youth which seeks to be an inclusive group that is learning to love God and others, while growing spiritually through weekly Sunday night gatherings called United Methodist Youth Fellowship (UMYF), summer mission trips, engaging Bible studies, spiritual discussions, and lots of fun activities.


    Prior to joining Spring Valley, Rev. Young served as Assistant Pastor of Adults and Families at Preston Hollow UMC. Rev. Young earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing in 2006 from the Southern Nazarene University in Oklahoma City. He graduated Cum Laude from the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University with a Master of Divinity in 2012. Born in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Adam has lived in England, New Mexico, Oklahoma, New York, Maryland, and of course the great state of Texas. He likes playing basketball, golf, and fantasy football and has played the violin since childhood. Adam and his wife, Mallory, live in Wylie and have four boys --  Kaden, Colby, Carter, and Kai. .roundedemail



  • Bert Johnson

    Director, music ministries

    As Director of Music, Bert shares his great love of music and considerable talent leading the music ministry of our church. Drawing on years of professional experience and expertise, he communicates his deep personal faith - both to the musicians with whom he works and to the congregation with whom he worships.


    Bert had the fortune to receive both vocal instruction and career guidance by the great Marilyn Horne at Music Academy of the West.  He has performed all over the country in various roles, both with opera and choral music.


    His love for great choral music led him from his early years with the Texas Boys Choir into a Bachelor's degree in Vocal Performance at The University of North Texas. Bert went on to further his studies at Manhattan School of Music in New York City where he received a Master's in Vocal Performance, and found additional training in apprentice programs such as Opera North, Santa Fe Opera, and Music Academy of the West.


    Bert is a fifth generation Texas hailing originally from Granbury, TX.  Bert is privileged enough to share his life with his wife Julie Liston Johnson, and is father to Ava Grace. roundedemail


  • John Tarver

    Organist

    John has been Spring Valley’s organist for 20 years, and is dedicated to touching lives through music.  His faith in Christ and love for people have provided the impetus for a dynamic and creative ministry that inspires and delights. In addition to playing for weekly worship services and rehearsals, he almost always has plans underway for a special musical offering or concert. 


    John graduated from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor’s Degree in Organ and Piano Performance, a Master’s Degree in Organ, with further areas of post-graduate study including voice and collaborative piano.  He regularly participates in performances and educational events both nationally and internationally.


    He is married to Paula; they enjoy going to concerts, cooking, and photography. roundedemail  

  • Suzan Meyer

    Director, Children's & family Ministry

    Suzan blends her devotion to Jesus and love of children of all ages, parents and families in her leadership of this key ministry of Spring Valley. Prior to becoming the Director of Children and Families, Suzan served as the Director of the SVUMC Pre-school for four years. Suzan majored in Christian Education and Psychology at Centenary College in Louisiana, and then furthered her education with a Masters degree in Special Education. As a mother to three grown children (and son-in-law) and a grandmother to two darling little girls and one adorable boy, Suzan is passionate about equipping parents to raise their children in a faith-filled, loving environment. roundedemail

  • Carol Nicholas

    Business Manager

    Carol oversees financial and business activities at Spring Valley, helping our church be a good steward of its resources. She provides sound business oversight based, not only on her business credentials, but also as a church member since 2006.  Carol has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Texas A&M University. Carol is married to Greg and their three grown daughters all prospered through their participation in our youth group.roundedemail

  • Sharon Clark

    Pastoral Administrative assistant

    Sharon shares her gifts of organization and attention to detail in her role as Pastoral Administrative Assistant. She is a dedicated member of our church and the daughter of 30-year member Freda Clark.


    Sharon comes with a background of many happy years providing administrative support. She earned her Associates Degree in Secretarial Science at Executive Secretarial School in Dallas which she entered following two years with a major in Voice at the University of North Texas.roundedemail

  • Tony Holiday

    Director of Facilities

    Tony oversees the upkeep and operation of the entire Spring Valley campus with great dedication. He also supports all ministries by ensuring many details are taken care of, such as audio visual and refreshment needs.  Tony first came to Spring Valley for a job in 1975, but he quickly fell in love with the people, became a member and has been here ever since. Tony graduated from Berkner High School in 1974 and attended the University of North Texas. He and his wife have a son and a daughter and are now raising their two granddaughters.roundedemail   

  • Laura bateman

    Children's choir director

    Laura directs the Children's Choir at Spring Valley United Methodist Church, cultivating deeper knowledge and faith in Christ through singing as part of the children's and music ministries of our church.

    Laura learned to worship through song at her childhood church while growing up in Arlington, TX. She attended Trinity University in San Antonio, TX, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance, and a Master of Arts in Teaching degree. Since college, serving in a church choir and leading children's music at church has been an important part of Laura's faith journey. Prior to joining Spring Valley, Laura taught middle school choir for eight years, first in Mesquite and then in Carrollton. Since 2012 she has grown a private voice studio for young singers in her home and at several middle schools in CFBISD. Laura loves helping children develop their voice and musicianship in a positive and healthy way. When she isn't singing or teaching, Laura enjoys spending time with her husband, Tim, and their children Leah, Hannah, and Noah.