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John E. McStravick, a Texas A&M graduate and registered professional engineer, began his career with Halliburton Energy Services in 1987. He worked almost 10 years before receiving a law degree from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio. McStravick was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1998 and is registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. He is a member of several organizations including the American Bar Association, the Houston Bar Association, the Society of Petroleum Engineers and the Knights of Columbus. A parishioner of St. Anne Catholic Church in Tomball, McStravick knows what it is to hear the call of God to serve.

In 2000 he was elected to the Tomball ISD Board of Trustees and has served as an officer and president of the Board during those years. The son of the late Peter, and Ann McStravick, John McStravick has lived in many places including Australia. But home has always been close to the native Tomball Texan and Tomball High School alumnus.

McStravick will share his message, “My Spiritual Journey’s Influence on the Facets of My Life,” when he is the featured speaker at the Christian Business Luncheon Aug. 14. The CBL will meet in its summer location, Lone Star College-Tomball, Room N103 (the glass room off the Commons near the cafeteria).

Doors open at 11:30 a.m. for the 12 to 1 p.m. luncheon. Lone Star College-Tomball is located at 30555 Tomball Pkwy.. RSVP’s are not necessary but available online at, ChristianBusinessLuncheon.org. Free will donations are accepted in lieu of payment.

Balancing career, family and faith are challenges everyone deals with and although most think successful people have the secret to the managing it all, they too learn from experience. David Lumpkins is an executive with many accolades and experiences to his credit and will present, “How Faith has Guided My Career” at the Christian Business Luncheon Sept. 11, from noon to 1 p.m.

As Executive Chairman and co-founder of PetroLogistics LP, Lumpkins helped create the world’s largest propane dehydrogenation facility, located on the Houston Ship Channel, producing 1.4 billion pounds of propylene annually. In May of this year the company completed its IPO and is now listed on the NYSE. But that is not the only accomplishment Lumpkins is proud to be a part of; in 2001 he took action to fulfill a vision of faith, hope and education by establishing a high quality private Christian school to serve students living in poverty.

The Yellowstone Academy in Houston opened in 2002 with 64 three and four year-olds. In 2006 the school moved into Houston ISD’s former Douglass Elementary School building located in the heart of Houston’s Third Ward. The school is growing by adding a grade each year, and currently has 380 students in grades pre-K through eight with a median family income of $10,000 per year. Last June Yellowstone held its first eighth grade graduation. The school is committed to addressing the full spectrum of educational, spiritual, social and practical needs of its students. The goal is to take students in circumstances of extreme poverty and hardship and provide them the tools they need to become responsible adults.

The Christian Business Luncheon will return to its regular location for this meeting, in the Elmer L. Beckendorf Conference Center on the Lone Star College-Tomball campus, 30555 Tomball Parkway, Tomball, Texas 77375. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. for the luncheon. RSVP’s are not necessary, but available online at ChristianBusinessLuncheon.org. Free will donations are accepted in lieu of payment.

Texas Congressman Ted Poe will be the featured speaker at the Christian Business Luncheon’s (CBL) Annual Pastors Appreciation Luncheon, Tuesday, Oct. 9, from 12 to 1 p.m.

Each year the Christian Business Luncheon, a group that meets monthly in Tomball, honors local pastors with a Pastor Appreciation Luncheon and guest speaker. CBL Board member Paul Pizzi said this is a very special event.

“I hope anyone who has been thinking about visiting the CBL will take this opportunity to come out and visit us, meet our local pastors and hear a fine speaker,” he said.

Congressman Poe is a leading advocate in Washington for limited government, free markets, low taxes and individual liberty.  Prior to serving in Congress, Poe was a criminal court judge in Houston where he garnered national media attention for his innovative sentences – dubbed “Poetic Justice.”

Congressman Poe serves on the House Judiciary and Foreign Affairs Committees. He is an outspoken advocate for border security, frequently visiting the southern border to meet with law enforcement and residents. 

Congressman Poe is a 30-year resident of Humble. He and his wife attend Bammel Church of Christ. They have four grown children and 10 grandchildren.

Doors for the CBL Pastors Appreciation Luncheon will open at 11:30 a.m. at the Elmer L. Beckendorf Conference Center at Lone Star College-Tomball, 30555 Tomball Parkway. There is no fee for the luncheon, donations are accepted.

For more information visit, christianbusinessluncheon.org and look for Christian Business Luncheon Tomball on Facebook.

Keith Field has a heart for veterans and he has put more than feet to his passion, he has wheels. Keith has launched a personal crusade to transport veterans that need medical care to hospitals and is also seeking donations to complete the renovations on his unique vehicle.

Keith describes the RV/bus as a personal vehicle designed to transport people with disabilities. Anyone who sees the bus, knows it stands for America in a Texas-sized way.

Moreover, Field created ServingProject.org, a non profit organization to help fund the renovation of the large recreational vehicle into a state-of-the-art mode of transportation for veterans in wheelchairs. The bus is also used to provide recreational opportunities for veterans who otherwise might not be able to take a cross-country tour.

"It's a service provided by people that believe in what we are doing and paid through donations and a website," Keith said. "You cannot hire this vehicle."

The RV is made of materials with meaning. The natural stone steps at the front of the vehicle represent the rocky roads that military veterans have walked upon. The front half of the vehicle has floors made from exotic hardwood from South America that appropriately are called Purple Heart.

The ceiling of the vehicle has a large 7-by-14-foot, handmade quilt with a military theme. The quilt was designed by Bridgette Stein. The center of the quilt features a Purple Heart medal embroidered with the outline of George Washington. It contains the four seals of the four branches of the military, a strip commemorating those Missing in Action and random embroidered designs such as stars, stripes and doves.

The vehicle is a work in progress. The kitchen countertops have been installed, but not the rest of the appliances. The kitchen will feature a sink, stove, microwave and coffee maker.

Visitors can see the bus Mar. 12, when Keith and ServingProject.org visit Tomball for the Christian Business Luncheon at First Baptist Church. The red, white and blue statement vehicle will arrive early to the church parking lot in anticipation of a media event.

At 11:30 in the fellowship hall of the church, Keith will share his vision and his experiences with veterans. First Baptist Church Tomball is located at 401 Oxford St. RSVPs for the CBL are not necessary but available online at, ChristianBusiness Luncheon.org. Free will donations for the luncheon are accepted in lieu of payment.