Staff
Provisional Pastor
Jesse Ryals - The church has contracted with Pastor Jesse Ryals starting June 19, 2022 part time to do limited duties on a temporary basis as the church initiates a search for a new ordained Presbyterian Pastor to replace Pastor Steven Brand. Pastor Jesse is an ordained Wesleyan minister
Custodian – Gary Collins – Gary, has been a lifelong resident of Newark, Ohio and a business owner of Collins Masonry and The Angel Valley Company for more than 40 years. He is married to Debora (Green) Collins for 40 years and has two daughters Ginger Collins Varner and Angela Collins Schlesiona. Four grandchildren, Noah, Baylee, Jaden, and Michael. Gary is an avid hunter and loves to garden. He has Cherokee and Irish heritage and with roots in Arkansas, where is Cherokee grandmother, who was on the Trail of Tears, met she her Irish husband, Ed Collins in Eureka Springs, Arkansas and the rest is history. He has worked hard all of his life and loves people.
Church Secretary - Sheri Bogardus - Sheri has been married 48 yrs. and has two grown daughters; Andrea and Danielle. They all attend First Baptist Church Heath and have been there since 1974. Sheri also has three grandchildren; a set of boy/girl twins that are 22 yrs. old and a 10 yr. old grandson. Sheri loves singing and has been in a gospel trio for seven years now and they sing at different Senior Living facilities around the area. She leads the Senior Ministry at her church and loves crafts and decorating.
Music Coordinator- Tara Lewellen has been our Music Coordinator since Nov. 2021. She does a beautiful job during our worship services. We are so lucky to have her. She and her husband Dale live in Newark.
Denomination – First Presbyterian Church is part of the PC(USA). You can find out more about the denomination at their website pcusa.org.
Church Structure-
Session – Session is the main governing body of the church and is made up of 9 church Elders elected by the congregation to 3 year terms. Each elder serves as the chair of one of the church’s committees. They are:
Budget & Finance – Elder Keith Hare– Manages the church’s finances.
Christian Education – Elder Barb Jobes – Maintains educational services for people of all ages.
Church Life – Elder Priscilla Hare – Encourages fellowship within the congregation.
Clerk – Elder Marilyn Johnston - The clerk keeps the church's records in order and keeps minutes of all Session meetings.
Congregational Care - All Elders - try to reach out to those in need.
Evangelism & Outreach – Elder Sandy Noland – Makes sure that the church is helping those in need, both physical and Spiritual.
Nominations & Personnel – Elder John Mattern – Seeks appropriate individuals to serve church offices. Seeks the efficiency and effectiveness of church staff.
Property – Elder Linda Smith – The upkeep and maintenance of the church structures and grounds.
Worship – Elder Karen Fish – Makes sure that we worship the Lord with heart and soul.
