Dr. David May is a retired New Testament professor who taught at Central Baptist Theological Seminary, Shawnee, KS, from 1994-2024. Dr. May graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, MO, with a B.S. in History (1980). He received a M.Div. in 1983 and a Ph.D. in 1987 from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY.
Dr. May has served as an Interim Minister, a frequent guest Bible teacher and lecturer in the Midwest, and is a writer. His writings include Preaching Matthew: Interpretation and Proclamation, published by Chalice Press (2007) and co-written with Mike Graves, Revelation: Weaving a Tapestry of Hope (Smyth & Helwys, 2001), and numerous articles in religious journals. His current writing project is a Numismatic Commentary on the New Testament.
Dr. May’s interest in the biblical world of the first century has stimulated his leading numerous study tours to archaeological sites in Israel, Greece, and Turkey. This archaeological interest has also focused his interest upon the study of ancient Roman and Judean coins related to the New Testament era.
Dr. May and his wife Pam reside in Saint Joseph, MO, with their Coton de Tulear named Daisy. Both Dr. May and his wife are natives of Missouri, and their hometown is Maryville, MO.
Ruth’s organ career at First Christian Church began when the regular organist had an accident and broke her leg. Easter Sunday in 1966 was the beginning of a long career and many years of joy in service to the church. Ruth is very grateful for the many friends she has made in the church throughout her fifty-two years as organist.
Dr. Krusemark received her undergraduate degree in Piano Performance at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. She later earned a Master of Music degree in Piano and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Organ from the University of Kansas. Dr. Krusemark is the Kremmeter Professor and Chair of the Music Department at Benedictine College where she teaches piano, organ, and music theory. Ruth began teaching at the college in 1976 and will retire from her post at the end of the 2018-2019 academic year. She is proud to have been named the “Outstanding Educator” for Benedictine College in 1994 and was awarded the first endowed professorship in the history of the college in 2013. Dr. Krusemark is also proud to have made five trips to Italy with her college choir where she met and sang for Popes John Paul II (now a saint!) and Pope Benedict.
Ruth’s children and grandchildren are her most treasured gifts. Jeff and Angie live in Kansas City with their families. Granddaughters Miri, Charlie, and Kat provide great love and excitement to Ruth’s life, and she looks forward to spending more time with them after her retirement from the college.
We're excited to introduce Ondrea Cardwell as our new Administrative Assistant here at First Christian Church! Ondrea brings a wealth of experience and a passion for ministry, particularly working with youth. In her free time, she serves at her hometown church, Rushville Christian Church, where she has a heart for guiding and mentoring youth. Additionally, Ondrea enjoys teaching Color Guard and has spent the past four years with the Raven Regiment Color Guard.
Ondrea is working quickly to learn the ins and outs of First Christian Church, and your patience is appreciated as she transitions into this role. Don’t hesitate to stop by the office between 9AM-3:30PM, Monday through Friday, to introduce yourself!
Patty has been the custodian at First Christian Church for almost fourteen years. Patty and her husband Roger have three adult children, three daughters-in-law, and seven grandchildren. Patty is a member at FCC and feels very blessed to have such an amazing and loving family who brings her such joy!! Patty loves to clean, so serving as the custodian at the church she loves is a perfect fit. Patty loves the Lord, her family, her church family, her friends and co-workers. Patty also loves to laugh!!
Wendy Harris serves as the Director of the Nursery and Kid Zone (ages birth to six), but she loves being around children of all ages! Outside the church, Wendy works with special needs children – fourteen years and still going! Wendy says, “I love what I do and I tell my co-workers, ‘Kids will be KIDS no matter what! Just love ‘em, inspire ‘em, teach ‘em.'"