First Christian Church is excited to welcome Rev. William Mitchell as our new pastor!
Pastor Mitchell was ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and has served congregations in Missouri, Nebraska, Kentucky, Texas, and Illinois. Most recently, he led The Federated Church in Illinois and is eager to return to full-time ministry here in Atchison.
With degrees from Culver-Stockton College (MO), Texas Christian University Brite Divinity School (TX), and Phillips Graduate Seminary (OK), he is deeply rooted in the Disciples of Christ tradition, emphasizing unity in faith and scripture over creeds.
For the past 20 years, Pastor Mitchell has been a bi-vocational minister, balancing church leadership with helping clients through hypnotherapy. Now, he’s excited to fully dedicate himself to serving First Christian Church.
Originally from a small town near Hannibal, MO, he feels right at home in Atchison. He is a father of three—his youngest plays basketball at Culver-Stockton College, while his older children live in Nashville, TN, and Reno, NV with their families.
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!
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.
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.'"
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!!
