Meet Rev. Payton Ruddock and his Family

Pastor Payton has been the head pastor at New Hope Methodist Church since January of 2022. New Hope and its sister church, Macedonia Methodist Church, have been Payton’s first appointment as a head pastor, but prior to his time at the church he served as Student Director at Covenant Methodist Church (Now Covenant Creekside Campos of The Woodlands Methodist Church). Payton was ordained a Deacon in the Global Methodist Church in 2024, and he is currently enrolled in the Wesley House of Truett Seminary at Baylor University earning his MDiv with plans to continue his studies and earn a PhD in New Testament Theology.

While Payton has felt a call to ministry since he was in high school but, like most things, the road to get there wasn’t as straight and paved as we expect. After graduating from high school in Iowa, Payton studied Biomedical Engineering at Texas A&M University (Whoop!) where he met his wife, Samantha, on their first day in their first class, Physics 218. They dated throughout college and married in August of 2010. Samantha studied Industrial Engineering and works in the Oil & Gas industry. Payton originally worked as a salesman in the construction industry working for Siemens for close to 10 years before quitting his job to pursue a passion and career in full time Celebrity and Entertainment Photography and to be a part time Youth Pastor.

Payton and Samantha have been in ministry ever since. Payton might be the pastor, but his family is with him every step of the way. When they’re not at the baseball diamond watching Cullen play or chasing Shane around the fishing pond, the Ruddocks love to spend time in the outdoors, exploring God’s wonderful creation for all that it has to offer.

Payton is a practical and covenantal theologian, passionate about preaching and teaching the Bible to bring people closer to Christ. He believes that the Bible is an authoritative, historical document that gives us the fullest and truest revelation of God’s faithfulness, provision, love, and grace, and his goal is to teach it in a way that is relatable and practical, in the rich tradition of Wesleyan theology.

“”I look upon all the world as my parish; thus far I mean, that, in whatever part of it I am, I judge it meet, right, and my bounden duty to declare unto all that are willing to hear, the glad tidings of salvation. This is the work which I know God has called me to; and sure I am that His blessing attends it. Great encouragement have I, therefore, to be faithful in fulfilling the work He hath given me to do. His servant I am, and, as such, am employed according to the plain direction of His Word, As I have opportunity, doing good unto all men’; and His providence clearly concurs with his Word; which has disengaged me from all things else, that I might singly attend on this very thing, and go about doing good.'” – John Wesley

Contact Pastor Payton