Meet the Staff at Grace Presbyterian
Wilson Van Hooser - Senior Pastor
Wilson grew up in Montgomery, Alabama the middle child of three boys to Bill and Joy Van Hooser. He grew up a part of Trinity Presbyterian Church (PCA) and attended Trinity Presbyterian School.
After graduating high school, he went to Tulane University (New Orleans) where he played Wide Receiver for the Green Wave football team and joined Corey Olivier's ministry in Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM). It was also at Tulane where he met his future wife, Grace Weaver.
But even though Wilson grew up in the church, it wasn’t until his Sophomore year of college (2010) that he became a believer in Christ. Still, the influence of sound teaching he had sat under for many years was vital to his understanding of Christian doctrine. But it wasn’t until he was born again that this teaching truly took hold.
In 2014, while playing football for the New England Patriots and the Boston Brawlers, Wilson started feeling the pull towards ministry. So in 2015, he married Grace, and moved to South Hamilton, Massachusetts to attend Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. And after transferring to Reformed Theological Seminary (Jackson, Mississippi), he earned his Master of Divinity in December 2020.
From 2016-2020, Wilson was the Director of Youth Ministry at Pear Orchard Presbyterian Church (Ridgeland, Mississippi). Then in 2020, he was hired as the Campus Minister for Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) at Oklahoma State University.
In 2021, Wilson was ordained as a Teaching Elder in the PCA in the Hills & Plains Presbytery. And in April 2023, Wilson was installed as the Senior Pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church. He is only the third pastor in GPC’s history.
Wilson and Grace have two children (Knox, 3 and Valerie, 1) and two dogs (Baxter and Heidi). They love Tulane sports, reading good books, making good food, and fellowshiping with people.
Wilson is also a General Council Member of the Gospel Reformation Network (GRN) whose purpose is "To cultivate healthy Reformed churches in the Presbyterian Church in America."
If you would like to hear more from Wilson you can read his Gospel Gazing Blog or listen to his Gospel Gazing Podcast
Jesse Rutherford - Adminstrative Assistant
Jesse, a native of Winfield, Kansas, embarked on a spiritual journey that led him from church to church, guided by a calling from God. His pursuit of a degree in Secondary Education brought him to Stillwater, Oklahoma, where he enrolled at Oklahoma State University. It was here that he not only found academic pursuits but also discovered a sense of belonging at Reformed University Fellowship and developed a deep affection for the welcoming atmosphere of Grace Presbyterian Church.
During his time in Stillwater, Jesse met and formed a lasting connection with his future wife, Jenna Seagraves. Their union has blessed them with two sons, Thomas and Theo, creating a loving family rooted in faith.
In 2019, Jesse took a significant step in his commitment to the church by becoming an ordained deacon, actively serving the church body. His dedication and leadership qualities were further recognized as he assumed the role of the diaconate chair and contributed to the church financial committee.
The warmth and care that Jesse experienced at Grace Presbyterian Church became integral to his spiritual journey, prompting him to deepen his involvement. In September of 2023, Jesse was appointed as the part-time Administrative Assistant for the church, allowing him to further contribute to the community he holds dear.