Disciples 4 Christ is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of mature Christian men and women, each bearing a testimony of faith in Jesus Christ and a personal witness consistent with the Biblical requirements given in 1Timothy 3 and Titus 1. Furthermore, each member of the Board has demonstrated an anointing for prison ministry outreach and to do the work of an evangelist in the course of his or her own personal ministry.

The Board and Officers serve the ministry by the counsel of the Holy Spirit.

All Board members serve without compensation, in humble submission to the Lord’s instructions in Luke 17:10. They may be reached through the CONTACT US page.

Chairman – Tom Goodson

Tom Goodson was born and raised in Taylor Springs, IL. After high school graduation, Tom signed up to serve in the United States Marine Corps and served his country from 1960 to 1968. During his service, he attended college classes in Business Administration, earned the rank of Sergeant and fought in the Vietnam War. In 1985 Tom came to the saving grace of Christ and three weeks later, he accompanied his dear friend, Don Dickerman to minister in the prisons. Prison Ministry quickly became a passion for Tom and he responded to the Lord’s calling. Tom says the Lord calls him to encourage offenders to become the daughter, son, father, mother, grandfather, grandmother that the Lord intends for them to be. He is also certified in biblical counseling to further assist the inmates in coming to the Lord. Tom’s favorite scripture is 1 John 4:4 and he believes that passage can encourage inmates to accomplish that goal.

Tom currently serves as Vice President of ProDrivers and has been with the company for 18 years. He is also dedicated to serving his church as the Music Minister and Chairman of the Deacons. Tom has been happily married to Donna for 26 years and has 6 children.

Founder and Executive Director: Susan Neyra

I would not be the person that I am today if it had not been for volunteers who loved me in spite of my situation where I was incarcerated for over 5 years. Now it is my turn to go back into the gates and minister to those I left behind. Where I ask God’s will for an opportunity to share the Gospel, to receive the grace and to be able to speak it well enough for others to understand it. So that those who are lost will each obtain eternal life through the shed blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

During my incarceration I was privileged to work as a clerk to Chaplain Nelson at the Mt. View unit. After performing , “The Old Woman Is Dead” at a marriage seminar, Mrs. Nelson spoke a blessing over my life. “Susan, I believe you are called to speak and sing.” Four year after my release I applied to be a volunteer chaplain at the Hunt County Detention Center. May were skeptical that I would be approved, BUT I was not only approved I also served as Administrative Chaplain for six months. While volunteering as a counselor with the Mike Barber ministry I was reacquainted with Chaplain Nelson who became the TDCJ Regional Chaplain. Mrs. Nelson remembered me and opened the doors to provide ministry in prison.

God laid on my heart to start a ministry that would touch the hearts of incarcerated women. Through the ministry, upon release we would provide services to help ease their transition from prison back into society. As well as strengthen their relationship with Jesus Christ in the process. I am very excited about each program the ministry has to offer and the opportunities the women will have through our ministry. God is the ONLY true source of CHANGE. AMEN!

Director – Donna Goodson

Donna Goodson grew up in Aurora, IL. She did not grow up in a Christian home, but instead in a home of alcoholism, mental and physical abuse. She came to know the Lord in 1976 as a result of a divorce.

Initially, Donna was reluctant to participate in prison ministry. It was when the Lord brought her to a men’s breakfast that she reluctantly, but obediently, answered the Lord’s call to attend prison ministry. Donna first went to Riverside Prison in Gatesville, Texas where she thought she would be ministering to offenders. Instead, the offenders ministered to her. Thirty years later, Donna is still committed to prison ministry. She is called to assist offenders in dealing with their past, moving forward with their hope centered on Christ. Donna and her husband, Tom are strong supporters of the ministry aftercare program where they assist newly released offenders to obtain a fresh start so they may successfully re-enter society and be the person the Lord made them to be.

In addition to serving on the Disciples 4 Christ Board of Directors, she is also a biblical counselor where she uses her training to counsel offenders and any others the Lord brings to her, while continuing to serve in her home church as the Treasurer and leader of the Ladies Ministry. Her favorite scripture, Proverbs 3:5-6, fuels her passion to accomplish all the Lord has called her to do for His kingdom. In her spare time she enjoys oil painting, and spoiling her 14 grandchildren.

Treasurer – Robert Neyra

Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, Bob came to Greenville, Texas, in 1977 when his grandfather moved the family business to the area where Bob worked from the age of 14. Living in a dysfunctional home, he lost both his parents and his older brother to alcoholism, Bob knew this was a road he didn’t want to go down.

One day an employee of his grandfather’s business, noticed Bob’s gift of math, and encouraged him to go to college. While in college Bob chose to pursue a degree in education with his specialization in math. Upon graduation, Bob got a job in the public school system. Bob especially likes to work with the at risk students.

Bob fell in love with prison ministry while accompanying his new bride, Susan, to the Gatesville units. They even spent part of their honeymoon ministering to inmates. Bob works alongside Susan as she fulfills the call on her life.

Director – Richard Patrick

Born and raised in the suburbs of Dallas, Texas, Richard Patrick attended a private Christian school from his elementary through junior high school years, graduating from high school as a home-school student. He later attended Dallas Community College where he earned an associate degree in network administration. He served as the IT director/engineer for a local company for ten years and currently writes control programs for HVAC/Security systems for a nation-wide company.

He and his wife of 19 years, Brandy, have two daughters and both are active in prison ministry. There is a special place in their hearts for the men and women of the TDCJ system. Richard serves on the board of directors for Disciples 4 Christ and also serves as the associate pastor of his home church. He has a passion for ministering to people and for sharing the love of Christ with the lost and brokenhearted.