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. Kirti is a Certified Appreciative Inquiry Facilitator and works part-time as a Chaplain with the Hospice Care Team.

    In the business world, she has served as the CEO of Epic International Brokers since 2003 and is a licensed Texas Real Estate Broker. Her company has facilitated over $29 million in business transactions. She presently consults with others on business development and strategy.

    On a personal note, Rev. Kirti enjoys traveling with her husband, Joe. She cherishes time with her family, which includes two daughters, a grandson, and a granddaughter. With her extensive experience in ministry, business, and community service, Rev. Kirti is honored to serve and support the Unity South Central Region.

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.”

  • James has also served as President of Holos University Graduate Seminary and Director of Academic and Student Affairs for Unity Worldwide Spiritual Institute. He has been a regular contributor to Unity Magazine for over 35 years. He has published two books: The Essential Charles Fillmore and The Hidden Realm of God: the Historical Jesus & His Healing Philosophy. In addition, James was co-host of one of Unity.fm’s first weekly internet radio programs. He is a recipient of the “Charles Fillmore Award for Visionary Leadership” from Unity Worldwide Ministries.

    As UWSI Director of Academic and Student Affairs, James helped up the Unity education program after it was transferred to Unity Worldwide Ministries from Unity World Headquarters. James retired from full-time ministry in 2018 but continues to teach as an adjunct professor for both UWSI and Unity Urban Ministerial School. He also teaches philosophy and religion courses for Holos Graduate Seminary, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, affiliated with the University of Kansas, and regularly serves as a guest speaker in Unity ministries.

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.

  • After more than 20 years of working in administrative and support roles, Rev. Brenda felt a profound calling to inspire others to embrace their true selves while deepening her own spiritual awareness. This calling led her on a quest to find a faith community that aligned with her values, eventually bringing her to Unity, where she found a sense of alignment with its teachings.

    Following her membership at Unity of Omaha, Rev. Brenda pursued her ministerial calling, and on June 15, 2020, she was ordained as a Unity minister. As a speaker, she connects with audiences through heartfelt storytelling, drawing on her personal experiences to offer fresh perspectives on life. Her approach encourages individuals to integrate these insights into their own lives, empowering them to pursue their dreams.

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).

  • He has been “a seeker” for more than 40 years and has read everything from Edgar Cayce to the Baháʼís, to Gibran, to Zen, to the Great Courses, to name a few. He has a podcast of his Sunday Unity Lessons with over 350,000 hits. He is fluent in Spanish and has a goal of converting those lessons to Spanish at some point. He has been self-employed for the last 25 years. Before that, he served as office manager of a construction company for 12 years. He is 12 hours (non-accounting classes) short of a degree in accounting. He has an associate degree in electronic technology from Texas State Technical College (1977), as well as a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from The University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley (1991). He is an avid Dallas Cowboys and Houston Astros fan. Enjoys watching and playing golf as well. His journey as a student of life continues every day.

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.

  • Having taught Unity principles in classes in the field, as well as through the opportunity to serve as a guest speaker in South Central Texas, it is clear to me the importance of educating our congregants. I love this work and know how vital Licensed Unity Teachers are to their individual ministries, as well as, the Unity movement.

    I am here to support LUTs having difficulty locating teaching material or needing to connect with someone to point them in the direction of a solution. I am here to serve as a sounding board if they need to talk their way to a solution. It is my great honor to serve the region in this capacity.

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.

  • Together with his wife, Elaine, he has built several successful businesses in Switzerland, Australia, and the United States, focusing on marketing, advertising, technology, and business consulting. His spiritual passion comes from a long tradition of meditative and contemplative practices, having meditated for over 40 years and having taught meditation and spiritual practices to hundreds if not thousands of students over the past two decades. Jean-Marie has also engaged in spiritual guidance (now called spiritual direction) in various cultures and across interspiritual divides.

    After concluding the 2030 Focusing Forward effort, chairing and participating in various teams concerning technology, pastoral care, prayer chaplaincy, Gen XYZ, alternative paths, etc., Jean-Marie continues to chair the UWM Tech Team to support the field ministries with innovative technological solutions while supporting their efforts to stay current.

    Jean-Marie has lived and served around the world, exploring different cultures and volunteering his services to undermined populations (e.g., Aboriginal communities). He is a professional counselor with a focus on trauma and crisis, as well as working with individuals with neurological differences. He is completing his Ph.D. in counseling education and supervision to contribute to the development of the empathic and spiritually aware counselors of the future.

Elaine Schweizer, LUT
Executive Administrator & Outreach Coordinator

executiveadministrator@unitysouthcentral.org & outreach@unitysouthcentral.org

Elaine Schweizer has over 25 years’ experience in communications, marketing, and business administration, often working with non-profit organizations. With her husband, Rev. Jean-Marie Schweizer, she has built 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 held this role before and during the early days of the pandemic, returning to us in 2024.

Elaine is 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, she continues to serve the Unity movement with a full and grateful heart.

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.