Pastor Matt’s history with First Christian Church began as a member of the Praise and Worship Team while a student at Benedictine College in the late nineties. Pastor Matt received his call to ministry during these years and returned to First Christian Church to be ordained after graduating from Duke University Divinity School in 2003.
Pastor Matt served as Senior Minister at Disciples of Christ churches in Kansas City and Topeka, and as a Chaplain at Valley Hope Substance Abuse Recovery Center before returning to First Christian Church as Pastor in 2016.
Pastor Matt enjoys travelling to warm places, playing the guitar, riding his motorcycle, and spending time with family. Pastor Matt’s wife Christine is a professional cellist and pianist who runs two teaching studios and is part of the worship band at the church. The boys, Christian and Brendan (who were dedicated at First Christian Church twenty-some years ago), are now grown and live in Lawrence, KS. Miriam (who goes by “Missy”) is fourteen and loves dancing, music, and art.
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.
Brad’s ministry with children and youth began his freshman year in college as a volunteer for the two and three year-old Sunday School class at his church in Northern California. After volunteering with the preschoolers, he was recruited to help with the youth group. Brad fell in love with children and youth ministry and felt God’s call on his life to pursue this as a full-time vocation.
Brad attended William Jessup University in Rocklin, CA, where he received Bachelor’s degrees in Bible & Theology and Youth Ministry. During Brad’s time in college, he continued to serve in youth ministry and loved every minute of it!
Brad was born and raised in Northern California and has served on staff in youth and children’s ministry at Bayside Christian Church in Roseville, CA, and Passion Church in Boise, ID. Brad and his wife Allison and their four children–Isabella, Colton, Paisley, and Brynnleigh–relocated to join the First Christian Church family in Atchison in June of 2019.
Brad enjoys being outdoors–hunting, fishing, hiking, and backpacking. He also loves spending time with people–especially over a good cup of coffee.
While Administrative Assistant might be Rosie’s official title, her contribution to the life and ministries of First Christian Church extend well beyond the realm of typical administrative duties. Rosie’s thirty-eight years of service in this capacity have made her an invaluable member of our leadership team and a wealth of information on nearly every aspect of our church. As everyone has come to know, at least around here, when in doubt about something, “Ask Rosie.”
When Rosie is not answering phone calls, publishing bulletins and newsletters, or answering everyone’s questions in the office, she enjoys spending time in the garden or among the fruit trees on her family’s fifty-nine acre farm. Rosie also enjoys cooking and entertaining family. Rosie and her husband Tim were married at First Christian Church thirty-six years ago. Together they have one daughter Lisa and four grandchildren–Jathynn, Malachi, Jaimee, and Kayden.
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!!
Larry W. Kibler is a life-long member of First Christian Church. Larry was baptized at the First Christian Church many years ago by Rev. Harold Roberts.
Larry is a retired Chief Financial Officer from several companies in the Midwest area and has over 45 years of experience as a CFO.
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.'"
