Pastors for Texas Children Named New Executive Director
Holly Gaskill Bandel has been appointed to lead the advocacy organization's operations.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in People
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Pastors for Texas Children has named Holly Gaskill Bandel as its new executive director. Bandel brings 25 years of pastoral leadership and nonprofit experience to the advocacy group.
Why it matters
The organization works to connect congregations with local schools while educating faith leaders on public education issues. Their mission focuses on advocating for policies that serve Texas children, families, and communities.
Holly Gaskill Bandel possesses 25 years of pastoral leadership and nonprofit experience. She has been actively involved with the organization since 2018.
The players
Holly Gaskill Bandel
She is the newly appointed executive director of Pastors for Texas Children and serves as pastor at First United Methodist Church in Sachse.
Charles Foster Johnson
He is the founder of Pastors for Texas Children and is currently working to scale the organization into a national network.
Pastors for Texas Children
This faith-based organization advocates for public education and connects local congregations with school districts in Texas.
The United Methodist Church
This international Protestant denomination maintains the ordination path that Bandel followed in 2003.
The details
Bandel, who currently serves as pastor of First United Methodist Church in Sachse, Texas, was ordained an elder in The United Methodist Church in 2003. She will oversee efforts to connect faith-based groups with school systems across the state.
Timeline
Holly Gaskill Bandel was ordained an elder in 2003.
Pastors for Texas Children was founded in 2013.
Holly Gaskill Bandel joined the organization in 2018.
Holly Gaskill Bandel was named executive director on September 22, 2026.
Market Landscape
This appointment represents a shift toward professionalizing the advocacy efforts of Pastors for Texas Children as it scales. It positions the organization to transition from a state-based project to a broader national model under its founder's expansion strategy.
Local church congregations and school districts may see increased outreach and coordination efforts as the organization expands its operations. Families and community members can expect continued advocacy for public education policy at both the state and national levels.
The takeaway
Faith-based advocacy groups are increasingly leveraging formal leadership structures to influence public education policy across state lines. The expansion of these networks suggests a strategic effort to mobilize religious communities in broader national debates.
Further reading
Learn more about organizational updates and local leadership in Texas People.
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