The boarding house parents in the boys’ house are David and Christi Collins. The Collinses have been with the Brook Hill boarding program since its inception in 2003. David and Christi originally began working in housing at East Texas Baptist University from where they both graduated. They spent 5 years as dorm parents for the freshmen girls. David began his soccer coaching career there while earning his Masters Degree at The University of Texas at Tyler. Christi also worked in the admissions office. David’s other responsibilities at Brook Hill are Athletic Director and soccer coach. Christi also spent her first two years at Brook Hill as the girls’ assistant basketball coach. They have two sons, Caleb and Joshua. In their spare time David enjoys playing all sports (especially golf) and Christi likes to run. They feel that God has truly blessed them with the opportunity to be with the boarding students at Brook Hill.

   The boarding house parents in the girls’ house are Spencer and Talitha Smith. Talitha is the oldest of five children. She is used to a house full of girls, having spent the majority of her teenage life sharing a room with three sisters. Along with helping to raise her younger sisters and brother, she remained involved in her parents’ children’s ministry throughout her teenage years. These years spent with young people contributed to what is now a conviction to see young people make decisions that honor God and help them realize their full potential as God’s children. Mrs. Smith has worked as a licensed cosmetologist (which often allowed her to play the role of personal counselor as well!) and has also modeled professionally for Toni & Guy, Inc. and L’Oreal. Talitha spends the majority of her time teaching the Smith’s two-year-old daughter Olivia Brynn. Olivia is almost as excited as Talitha about having, in her own words, “a house full of big sisters.”

    Spencer is enjoying his first year as a member of the History/English faculty at Brook Hill and is excited about taking an active role in the academic environment of the boarding program. As a part-time coach, he also looks forward to pick-up basketball, volleyball and soccer games with the boarding students during time off. For more personal information on Mr. Smith, check his bio page on the Brook Hill website at http://www.brookhill.org/bios/ssmith.htm.