Who We Are
Board of Trustees
Rev. Kirti Cesaratto
President
president@unitysouthcentral.org
Rev. Kirti Cesaratto, ordained in 2020, is a dedicated Staff Minister at Unity of Houston, where she leads the Prison Ministry program.
She is deeply engaged with the Unity Urban Ministerial School, serving as co-creator and co-instructor of the Prison Ministry Certification Program Courses. Additionally, she is the Senior Minister of Divine Expression, an expansion ministry devoted to helping other Unity leaders establish their own Prison Ministry programs.
Rev. James Gaither
Vice-President & DEIJB Representative
vice-president@unitysouthcentral.org & deijbrepresentative@unitysouthcentral.org
Rev. James Gaither, Th.D., was ordained a Unity Minister in 1979, has earned a M.A. in Philosophy and a Doctorate in Theology. He has taught in Unity Ministerial and Spiritual Education for over 30 years and has been Minister in Unity churches for over 12 years. His first ministry was in Collinsville, IL. His second ministry was in New York City where he served as Eric Butterworth’s successor. The New York ministry named him “Pastor Emeritus.”
Rev. Brenda Peters
Secretary & YFM Representative
secretary@unitysouthcentral.org & yfmrepresentative@unitysouthcentral.org
Rev. Brenda brings a deep passion for transforming lives, serving others, and lifelong learning. She shares her inspiring message not only at Unity churches but also at various other organizations. With a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, focusing on photography and broadcasting, along with a minor in English, Rev. Brenda’s diverse background reflects her commitment to communication and service.
Rev. Tomás de León
Treasurer
treasurer@unitysouthcentral.org
Tomás de León is a Licensed Unity Teacher and an ordained Unity Minister. Born in Donna, TX. He has been married for 41 years to Rosemary, and they have two grown children, Marcos (35) and Marisa (28). He served as Spiritual Leader of Unity Spiritual Center Rio Grande Valley, TX, from 2014-2021 . He is currently the Minister at Unity of Georgetown, TX.
Tomás is an Honorably Discharged U.S. Navy Vietnam veteran. He is a lifelong musician (drummer and vocalist).
Rev. Karen Saunders
Regional Representative
regionalrepresentative@unitysouthcentral.org
Rev. Karen Saunders is an ordained Unity Minister. She follows as a legacy with her mother, Rev. Helen D. Saunders, who graduated from the first class of Unity Urban Ministerial School, and Karen graduated from the first online class of the Urban School 30 years later. Karen currently is the Senior Minister at Christ-Love Unity Church in Omaha, Nebraska, founded by her mother. In addition, she is the Registrar and Adjunct Professor for the Unity Urban Ministerial School.
She has worked in non-profit management for over 35 years, during which she held positions as Executive Director, Project Manager, and Volunteer Manager. Karen holds a BA in Urban and Metropolitan Studies from Michigan State University. She is an accomplished speaker, trainer, and community advocate. Karen has studied New Thought all her life, joining Unity in 1994.
Linda Gillispie
LUT Representative
lutrepresentative@unitysouthcentral.org
Linda Gillispie received her credentials in 2004 as a Licensed Unity Teacher. At that time, she was serving the ministry at Unity of Austin. In 2009, Linda moved to Unity of New Braunfels and served that ministry as LUT, assistant minister, and bookstore manager. She recently served on the Application Review Team, which was the first step in the selection process for the executive director.
Get in Touch with the Board
You can write to our board members individually using the above emails, or you can send a message to the whole board using board@unitysouthcentral.org. Alternatively, feel free to send the board a note using the form to the right.
Staff
Rev. Jean-Marie Schweizer, MDiv, LUT
Executive Director
executivedirector@unitysouthcentral.org
Rev. Jean-Marie Schweizer is a licensed and ordained Unity minister and served as the senior minister of Unity Fort Worth in Fort Worth, TX, until Spring 2024. Before his ordination in 2018, he served as a Licensed Unity Teacher (LUT) in various capacities in Unity ministries in and around Houston, TX, while leading Unity Lake Houston in Kingwood, TX, as their spiritual leader for five years. Jean-Marie has a strong background in both the business and spiritual world. He served on the USCR board since 2018, first in the vice-president role and then as the president of the board and CEO until completing his two terms on October 29, 2024.
Elaine Schweizer, LUT
Executive Administrator & Outreach Coordinator
executiveadministrator@unitysouthcentral.org & outreach@unitysouthcentral.org
Elaine Schweizer has over 25 years experience in business administration, marketing, as well as graphic and webdesign. With her husband, Rev. Jean-Marie Schweizer, she built several businesses in multiple countries, such as Switzerland, Australia, and the United States. Her expertise in managing a business while integrating the arts serves our Unity South Central Region well, in particular since she has held this role before throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
Elaine is also a Licensed Unity Teacher (LUT) and well-versed in all matters Unity. Her spiritual competency and maturity allow her to take charge of the infinite Potential and Possibility God as Principle represents. Together with her husband, they have served and continue to serve the Unity movement substantially and with a full heart and a sharp mind in perfect Harmony.
Janette Jordan
YFM Consultant
yfmconsultant@unitysouthcentral.org
Janette Jordan is a Certified Spiritual Educator (CSE) and has been the YFM Director of Unity Fort Worth since 2022. Prior to this, she served as the YFM Director at Unity of Arlington from 2015 to 2022. She was a part of the writing team for the Virtual Curriculum Project. Janette has been a part of the Unity movement since 2012.
Janette holds a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Tulsa and a Master of Social Work from the University of South Florida. As a social worker, she worked in community mental health, employee assistance programs, and private practice. She has extensive experience working with children, families, and adults. Janette has acquired her knowledge of education from working in various settings.
Julie Core
YOU Consultant
youconsultant@unitysouthcentral.org
Julie has been attending Unity since 1986. She has served as a YOU sponsor for 21 years and is a recipient of Unity Worldwide Ministry’s Distinguished Youth Services Award. Her experience as a sponsor includes working closely with YOUers in planning and organizing many YOU retreats. She encourages and supports the teens in developing their leadership skills and creating youth-led events. Julie has served as a Head Sponsor at more than 25 international, regional, and sub-regional YOU events, rallies, and retreats. She also serves as the IYOU Event Agent for Unity Worldwide Ministries.
Rev. Scott Schell
Accountant
accounting@unitysouthcentral.org
Rev. Scott Schell was ordained in 1994 but his history with Unity began in 1968 when his family started attending Unity of Des Moines. Scott is a CPA and has worked in both accounting and management positions. Scott has been involved with the finances of our region for over 20 years, serving first as treasurer and now as accountant.
Get in Touch with the Staff
You can write to our staff individually using the above emails, or you can send a message to our main email address: info@unitysouthcentral.org. Alternatively, feel free to send the staff a note using the form to the right.