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REV. BEAU UNDERWOOD
SENIOR MINISTER Raised in a small Disciples congregation in Illinois, church has always been at the center of Rev. Underwood's life. He is a proud alum of both Eureka College and the University of Chicago where he was a scholar at the Disciples Divinity House while completing graduate degrees in both ministry and public policy. Currently, he is a part-time doctoral student at the University of Missouri's Truman School of Public Affairs. He was called to serve as Senior Minister of First Christian Church in February of 2015. Prior to moving to Jefferson City, he spent several years in Washington, DC serving in non-profit leadership roles and on the staff of National City Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). From 2017-2019, he is serving as the First Vice-Moderator of the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). In his free time he enjoys reading, cheering on his beloved Chicago White Sox and spending time with his wife, Casey, and their son. You can contact Rev. Underwood at Beau@firstchristianjcmo.org. |
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REV. SARAH KINGSBERY
ASSOCIATE MINISTER Rev. Sarah Kingsbery was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina. A lifelong Disciple, Rev. Kingsbery grew up attending a Disciples congregation, going to summer camp at Christmount and participating in regional events. She graduated from Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky with degrees in Religion and Sociology. After some time being a caregiver for her dad as he received a successful stem cell transplant and pretending to be an accountant, she completed work on her Masters of Divinity at Lexington Theological Seminary. During her time at LTS, she also served at First Christian Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Rev. Kingsbery has been serving First Christian Church since August 2015 and is passionate about the church's ministries of faith formation and outreach. Outside of church, she enjoys board games, her ever-changing craft projects, and hanging out with her cat, Ellie. You can contact Rev. Kingsbery at sarah@firstchristianjcmo.org. |
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GRETCHEN HUEDEPOHL
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC MINISTRY Gretchen’s passion for church music was fostered at an early age, thanks to some incredible musical mentors in her hometown of Topeka, KS. She began playing worship services at the age of 10 and accompanying vocal performers and instrumentalists shortly after. While in college at Concordia University in Nebraska, she gained her first experience as a volunteer director of a church choir. She is a former member of the American Guild of Organists and the National Music Teachers Association.
Gretchen moved to Jefferson City in 1984, joining the staff of Trinity Lutheran as church secretary and Director of Music. She has served First Christian since January, 1998. She operated a private piano/organ studio for 25 years. Since 2009 she’s also been on the staff of Westminster College in Fulton, MO, serving as pianist/organist for vocal students and ensembles, as well as for special events for the college and for the National Churchill Museum. In the Jefferson City community she serves as accompanist for the Liberte Women’s Ensemble. In her free time she enjoys antiquing, home decorating, taking in live music performances of all types, and spending time with family -- husband, Jeff; their three adult children, Benjamin, Seth, and Hannah; and their spoiled black lab. You can contact Gretchen at Gretchen@firstchristianjcmo.org. |
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KATHY SPEIDEL
ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY Kathy Speidel has been with First Christian Church since 2004. Born and raised in Jefferson City the middle child of seven, Kathy has a blended family of six children, 16 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. In her spare time she enjoys taking walks, cooking and spending time with her family and friends. You can contact Kathy at Kathy@firstchristianjcmo.org. |
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ALEXIS ENGELBRECHT
YOUTH DIRECTOR Alexis is completing the process to be an ordained Disciples of Christ minister. She recently earned her Master of Divinity at Phillips Theological Seminary and is currently a Commissioned Disciples of Christ Minister. Her favorite subjects and areas of ministry include… everything. Before realizing her call to ministry, Alexis taught high school English in different contexts for several years. She has over twelve years of experience facilitating religious education and worship services in various ministry contexts. As Youth Director, Alexis’ goal is to provide a special space in which young people can share and learn from stories, including the stories within scripture. Her role is to cultivate spiritual development during a time in life that can be all sorts of things at the same time. You can contact Alexis at: Alexis@firstchristianjcmo.org |
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SCOTT CAMPBELL
FACILITIES COORDINATOR AND SUPERVISOR Living in the Central Missouri area for the past 40 plus years, Scott is married to his wife, Alicia, and together they have a blended family of two children. Scott graduated in 1990 from New Bloomfield and served in the US Navy from 1990 - 2003. In his free time he enjoys reading, fishing, playing his guitar, is an avid video game player, and enjoys spending time with his wife, children and family. You can contact Scott at Scott@firstchristianjcmo.org. |
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TERRI LLOYD
HANDBELL CHOIR DIRECTOR Terri Lloyd has been directing the Jubilant Sound Handbell Choir for over 25 years. She was introduced to the handbell world when she was in high school and her home church, FCC in Maryville, MO, purchased a new 4-octave set. Terri has passed her handbell knowledge on to the next generation. Her family “grew up” playing handbells. Her husband and both children have played in her choirs. Terri teaches music at Cedar Hill Elementary. She is also an active performer in various community groups where she plays clarinet and saxophone. She performs in a big band called Kapital Kix and plays for local theater pit orchestras as well as other ensembles. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Culver-Stockton College and a Master's of Education from Northwest Missouri State University. She also earned an Instructional Technology Certificate from NWMSU. |
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MISSY MANN
NURSERY COORDINATOR Missy has been a member of FCC since the age of 5 when her family moved here from Emporia, Kansas. Loving working with children and watching them grow, Missy has been a first grade teacher at East Elementary School since 2000. Being with her family and friends are where she loves to spend her spare time. |