JIM DOWNING
Lead Pastor
Jim has been pastor here since January 1997. His favorite verse is Zephaniah 3:17 "God is mighty to save. He will quiet you with His love and takes great delight in you. He rejoices over you with singing." Jim's favorite ministry phrase is: "What Box?"
BECKY RAYL
Secretary
Becky has been our secretary since 1991. Her favorite scripture is, "What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee" Psalm 56:3. God is the "rock" on which Becky tries to focus throughout her life. She finds two Truths to be especially comforting: God has a plan for us, and God will never leave us.
RUSTY SMITH
Director of Older Adult Ministries
Rusty Smith has been serving our older adult ministries, called Masterpiece, since 2016. He was raised in Sedalia. Prior to serving here he served as a United Methodist Pastor for 15 years in other parts of Missouri. He loves his Masterpiece gang and the fun they have!
JACQUIE VOGLER
Financial Secretary
Jacquie serves as financial secretary at First Church. She also assists with Strong Tower Haiti. She loves serving in this way and is thankful to her Lord for this blessing.
SHERILL BROCK
Custodian
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CHERYL MCCOLLESTER
Accompanist
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LORI PRICE
9:45am Worship Leader
Lori Price has been leading worship in the 9:45 service on our Celebration Center campus since 2008. Her favorite Bible verse is Ephesians 5:19, " Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord."
KIM EDWARDS
Carpenter's Kids Preschool Director
Kim has been the Director/Lead Teacher of Carpenter’s Kids Preschool since 2014. She is also part of the nursery staff for weekend services. Her favorite verse is Hebrews 11:1.
CANDACE FOWLER
Associate Pastor
Candace has been a part of First Church ministry team since 2017. Her favorite scripture is Ephesians 3:20-21 "Now to God who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to God be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen." God - Always doing more than we can fathom. Always!
LANCY ULRICH
Children's Director
Lancy leads our children’s ministry. She believes that through the leading of the Holy Spirit, she will help strengthen and grow an environment in which helps children deepen their walk with Christ. "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." 3 John 1:4
TEHYA HUFFMAN
Director of Connections
Tehya serves as the Director of Connections here at First Church. As Director of Connections, she connects people to one another and to the different ministry opportunities available. Tehya also coordinates bookings at our Thompson Site.
LAURA EZELL
Treasurer
Laura started attending FUMC at the Downtown site in 2014. She and John have 2 daughters and 6 grandchildren. Her favorite phrase is: Be kinder than necessary, because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
OTIS BROCK
Custodian
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LORI BROYLES
Choir Director
Lori Broyles serves as the choir director for the 11:00 service at the Thompson campus and the keyboard player/worship leader for the 8:30am service at the Celebration Center. Her favorite verse is Deuteronomy 31:6.
ANNA BUCHANAN
Concierge
Anna Buchannan enjoys greeting and welcoming people as they enter the doors of the Celebration Center. Her hobby is crocheting. She gives leadership to Stitched with Prayer - a group that makes gifts to donate such as prayer shawls, hats and scarves for local schools as well as crocheted octopuses for premature babies.
MICHELLE GERKEN
Carpenter's Kids Teacher
Michelle Gerken is one of the preschool teachers of Carpenter’s Kids and a weekly worker in our nursery. Michelle has been married for 21 years and has 3 boys. Michelle loves to read to our little ones and her favorite Bible verse is John 3:16.