Born in Pennsylvania, Tara moved to the sunshine state as an eighth grader. A faithful Pittsburgh sports fan, Tara hoped to return to PA for college. Instead, God led her to Jacksonville, FL and the University of North Florida where she earned a degree in Psychology. Upon college graduation, Tara worked at Publix as a department manager for several years before attending Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Massachusetts and earning her Master’s of Divinity degree. She served two churches in Florida and one in Pittsburgh, PA before Jesus led her to Beaumont to serve as St. Andrew’s pastor.

Tara is a teacher at heart and loves helping others discover how Jesus has gifted them for service in building His Church. She describes her ministry style as relational, which involves experiencing life together, bearing witness to Christ's activity, and encouraging one another on the journey of faith.

Tara's hobbies include sports, reading, art, and traveling. She has visited six of the seven continents and has nurtured ministry partnerships in ten countries. She loves meeting new people and is excited to do life and ministry with us in southeast Texas.

A native of east Texas, Thomas Furlow is our Director of Music. He has studied the piano and led music in worship since childhood. In addition to earning his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas at Arlington, Thomas studied voice, piano, and organ at Stephen F. Austin State University and Lamar University, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Music in 2023.

Although his work as a nurse and his role at St. Andrew’s keeps him busy, Thomas visits family and friends every chance that he gets. He plays piano, organ, melodica, and even accordion for fun, and he enjoys visiting Colorado to see mountains and snow once a year.   

With over a decade of experience at St. Andrew’s, Tori Armstrong is a dedicated educator passionate about fostering a love for learning. She served as Interim Co-Director for the 2023-24 academic year, bringing leadership, vision, and a deep commitment to student success.

For the past 23 years, Tori has called Beaumont home, where she embraces her roles as a proud wife to Brian for 20 years and a loving mom to their two sons, William (15) and Zachary (13), both of whom attended St. Andrew’s Day School. She’s also a devoted dog mom to Millie and Ruby.

Beyond the classroom, Tori is an active member of her community, serving on the board of the PTA for Marshall Middle School and actively participating in St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. Passionate about education, family, and faith, she strives to make a meaningful impact wherever she can.

Rachel is our organist and pianist. She graduated from Lamar University with a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance in 2021 and a Master of Music in 2023.

For over ten years now, she has found immense fulfillment in playing in churches. (When she was in elementary school, her dad played in church and her initial reason for taking up piano was so she could play in services too!) Her secondary instruments are harp and organ. In her spare time, she enjoys baking and reading. She lives in Nederland with her husband, Chris, and her son, Jesse. 

With over twenty years of experience as an administrative assistant, Joyce is delighted to be a part of St. Andrew's. Since moving to Texas in 2016, Joyce has been blessed to be the chief family manager of her household. She is the proud wife of a U.S. Marine veteran, the mother of four wonderful children, and the grandmother (a.k.a. Mimzy) to three highly energetic grandchildren. 

When she is not working, Joyce enjoys spending time with her family, participating in all kinds of outdoor activities, watching her daughter dance, and seeing her grandchildren grow and experience life. She also takes pleasure in visiting new places and trying new cuisine. 

Patricia Williamson has worked as a music educator and pianist in the Beaumont area for over twenty years. Raised in a large musical family, she studied piano and euphonium in Houston, receiving her bachelor of music in piano performance/music education and her master's in piano performance from Lamar University. 

Patty is the principal keyboardist for the Symphony of Southeast Texas, owner/operator of Williamson Piano Studio in Nederland, St. Andrews Day School Pre-K teacher in addition to pianist and choir member. She directs a youth acapella chorus with her kids and still loves to play euphonium. 

In her twenty-two years as a music educator she has taught band, choir, class piano, elementary music, and works as a collaborative pianist.

Mother to five musical children, she also enjoys reading and running.