Pastor: Rev. Dr. Mark Dowell

Rev. Dr. Mark Dowell is the senior Pastor for Church of the Savior, Austin, TX as of July 2023. Mark and his wife Brenda of 33 years were already recent members. Mark was ordained by the United Church of Christ and was granted privilege of call in the South Central Conference by the SC Heart of Texas Association. He earned a Bachelor of Science Psychology from William Carey College in Mississippi, Master of Divinity Theology/Church History from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. Mark has had 20+ years of successful ministry in Florida, Tennessee, and Louisiana. Besides being a father to 3 grown daughters (Caitlin, Cansas, Charis), he is now a grandfather to baby Gray Naya Tavo Salazar.

Email: pastor@COTSAustin.org

Administrative Assistant

(she, her)

Madeline joined the COTS family as the administrative assistant in the summer of 2024. Madeline earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Learning and Development from The University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership from Lamar University. She has taught elementary school and served as an instructional coach in Leander ISD for eight years. Madeline has been married to her husband, Seth, an artist, for four years. They welcomed their son, Hollis Ellsworth, in March of 2024. He is their sunshine boy! Madeline shifted out of education to spend more time with her family, and counts herself lucky to have landed at COTS. In her spare time, Madeline loves to read, listen to podcasts, ride her Peloton, cook, and hand embroider. Please come say hello when she is in the office on Thursday afternoons!

Email: office@COTSAustin.org

Instrumentalist: Darlene Hello

Darlene has been the instrumentalist for our worship services at COTS since 1986. Her predecessor, Mary Pryal, was the founding instrumentalist at COTS.  Darlene has accompanied worship services the majority of her life–beginning at Hutto United Methodist as a young teen, and later at Hutto Baptist Church. She last served at First United Methodist Church of Taylor before moving to COTS. Additionally, Darlene served behind a desk with our COTS founding pastor, Joe Phelps, when they were both on staff at our mother church, Highland Park Baptist Church in Austin. Darlene says, “Music is a very important facet of worship for me. I love being able to use my gift of music for my church family at weddings, funerals, and worship services!” Darlene lives in Austin. She and her husband, Jack, are active members of our congregation.