Jan and Susan Pate

Jan Evan Pate and Susan Ann Eddings Pate were married August 6, 1977 in Nacogdoches, Texas after a 10 month courtship. He is the youngest of three sons to Glendale Bloodworth Pate and Thomas Elton Pate, Sr. His older brothers are Thomas Pate, Jr. (deceased) and Steven Dale Pate, Sr. of Jacksonville, Texas.

Jan and Susan Pate on their wedding day.

Susan Eddings Pate is the daughter of JoAnn Sanders Eddings and Jack Eddings, of Tyler (formerly of Nacogdoches, Texas) and is the middle child with an older brother Jackie Eddings, of Dallas and younger sister, Jill Eddings Gabriel of Tyler, Texas.

After 10 months of an old fashioned courtship i.e. visiting in each other's homes with the entire families being present, the two married at Greater Faith United Pentecostal Church in Nacogdoches, Texas in 1977. The home church of Susan and her family. Their time together was spent sitting at the piano singing and harmonizing together, both country, gospel and love songs. They actually began singing in church BEFORE they married. This was the predecessor of what would become a lifelong ministry and dreams fulfilled for both of them.

In February, 1979, Jan received what he felt to be a strong summons from the Lord. It came in the form of a vision while working spray painting army tanks at a business located in Rusk. God showed him who was to be in the group--young men, like himself who were in the First United Pentecostal Church in Rusk. None of them had ever sung before; however, both Jan and Susan were willing to teach whoever, whatever they could in order to fulfill this unquestionable commission from God.

At that time, the group was to be started with Dennis McIntyre, Jr., his brother, Ricky McIntyre, Joe Crippen (deceased), Randal Kennedy, Benny David Heisler, Jan and Susan Pate. The first practice consisted of Susan playing note for note what was to be sung by the young men. Jan would sing lead along with Benny David Heisler and Susan would sing tenor with Ricky and Joe. Randal and Denny would be destined to learn to sing Alto.

As God is my witness, the three part harmony came natural after the first two or three practices. The first time the group sang in church, they sang, "Oh Happy Day". Of course, it was a great hit with the small congregation.

Jeremy and Bri'Ann Driver

Jeremy and Bri'Ann Driver

Jeremy Paul Driver and Summer Bri’Ann Pate were wed in holy matrimony, on December 13, 1997 at First Church on the Hill, after meeting at church camp in the summer of 1995. Jeremy is the oldest child of Rodney and Carol Driver, born on January 5, 1976 in Dallas, Texas, and Bri’Ann is the oldest child of Pastors Jan and Susan Pate, born on August 25, 1979, in Rusk, Texas.

The Driver’s have 2 sons, Bryce Paten Driver and Jeran Trent Driver. Bryce was born on January 22, 2001 and Jeran on May 31, 2005, both at ETMC in Jacksonville, Texas. Jeremy now serves as a firefighter for the City of Tyler, Texas, and Bri’Ann works in administration here at First Church on the Hill.

Being raised in pastor’s homes, with grandfathers serving as pastor’s as well, Jeremy and Bri’Ann continue their heritage of working in the ministry today. Jeremy began playing the drums in church at age 13, and Bri’Ann began leading the FCOTH choir at age 15. As of today, they continue to work together in music as the Worship Pastors here at FCOTH, where they strive to create an atmosphere of worship, allowing God’s presence to enter, ministering to every person at every level of need and understanding.

Dannon and Amber Pate

Dannon, Amber and Regan Pate

Dannon is the oldest son of Pastors Jan and Susan Pate, born on January 6, 1981 in Rusk, Texas, and Amber is the 2nd of three children, born to Richard and Deborah Carroll of Greenville Mississippi, on May 2, 1981. Married on September 16, 2000, Dannon and Amber now have one daughter, Raygan JoAnna Pate. Raygan was born on November 17, 2003, at ETMC in Jacksonville, Texas.

Dannon and Amber served as the founding Pastors over Next Level Ministries -- the leadership training series used for developing effective leaders here at FCOTH. Along with this, they also serve in the Media Ministry, working to be as progressive as possible in today’s world, in order to reach people for the cause of Christ. Dannon and Amber have a common goal of leading people to an intimate relationship with their Creator, by way of teaching them the importance of worshipping the one true God.

Jan-Michal and Carissa Pate

Jan-Michal is the youngest child of Pastors Jan and Susan, born on July 26, 1983, and Carissa is the youngest of three children, born to Rodney and Carol Driver on June 3, 1983. Before marrying on December 6, 2003, both Jan-Michal and Carissa were active in the ministry of FCOTH beginning as early as their young teenage years. Now, being very involved in the Music Ministry, Jan-Michal directs the Choir, plays the bass for the Praise Team and assists on the keyboard, while Carissa sings for both the Choir and Praise Team. Along with this, these 2 currently oversee the young-adult small group of FCOTH, planning monthly gatherings and fellowships for this active and fast-growing group of members.