Kurt is from the state up north – Flint, Michigan to be exact. After graduating from Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, he married his amazing wife Tammy. They have three adult children. Andy and his wife Cora – they call her their “daughter-in-love” – live in Pinckney, MI. Dan is their youngest son. He lives in Xenia, OH.
Kurt has been a pastor since 1992 and leads our pastoral team. He loves fun socks, Vernors ginger ale, Christmas music, table games, the beach, all Detroit sports teams, wrapping gifts, and hanging out with people. He’s also been known to say, “God is Good…ALL THE TIME!”
Pastor Bruce grew up in Brunswick, Ohio and attended Medina Christian Academy (formerly First Baptist Church School) and then graduated from Liberty University in 1999. After Liberty, he moved to Pennsylvania and served from 1999-2005 at a great church – Zion in Clarion, PA – where he met his sweet wife Carla, whom he married in 2001. In 2005 Pastor Bruce and Carla moved to Jacksonville, FL where they served at East Pointe Church and had 2 kids – Adam and Hope.
In 2014 they moved to Medina to begin serving here at First. Pastor Bruce enjoys spending time with his family, all things Ohio State and Cleveland sports teams, and has enjoyed getting to know the amazing families throughout his years here at First. His current role at First is Next Gen Pastor – which means he leads ministries for 0-18 year old’s and their families. He has enjoyed building teams – connecting the people of First to meet the spiritual needs of the children and teens in our faith community as well as serving those who play a vital role in the lives of youth who are placed in foster care in our County.
A passage from Scripture Pastor Bruce loves is: Philippians 1:6 “He who began this work in you will be faithful to complete it.”
Pastor John is originally from Pennsylvania, moving to Ohio over 40 years ago, after spending time
in upstate New York. He was blessed to marry his wife Donna in 1972 and they have two sons – John (married to Jenne, with 6 children) and Paul.
God has chosen to give John and his family a life filled with adventure, trials and joy. They have used these experiences to minister to those who are facing life’s tragedies and trials, pointing others to the only One who can give the kind of comfort and peace that truly satisfies – our Lord.
John serves at First as our Community Pastor, serving needs in our church family and community. John ministers to those God puts in his path with a focus on sharing the gospel.
His favorite Bible verse is Psalm 27:4 as it best describes the desires of his heart;
“One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.”
Brenda handles the church finances, Food Pantry requests, and general information about the church. Brenda is our elected Treasurer. Brenda also volunteers with our Preschool Ministries.
Derwin is our Facilities Manager – he maintains our church building and grounds and also leads a men’s Bible study and our dramatic arts ministry.
Derwin has been married to his wife, Tammy, since 1990. They have 4 grown children and 3 grandchildren.
Jamie grew up in Strongsville, Ohio and studied Biology and Environmental Science at Cleveland State University. Jamie and Shawn have been married since 2011 and have 4 children – Brayden, Johannah, Noah, and Olivia. One of the ways the Workman family serves is through fostering.
Jamie was a stay at home mom for several years before she began working part time as our Preschool Director in 2018 and her role has expanded to now include our K-5th grade ministries, as well. Outside of her work here, Jamie enjoys spending time with her children, family and friends, reading, traveling, and hiking.
Psalm 73:26 “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Lee Anne and her family have been attending First since 2014 when they relocated to Ohio from New Jersey. She graduated from Cedarville University with her BA in Elementary Education. After using her degree for many years in private and public schools, she has settled in as our Connections Coordinator.
Lee Anne has been married since 2000 to her husband Justin. They have three of the best kids – Clay, Hallee and Caden. She loves spending time with her family, no matter what they are doing.
Ephesians 5:1-2
“1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
Mandy is our Communications Director and serves on our worship team and in Awana. Mandy has been married to her husband Craig since 2004, and they have 2 amazing children – Zac and Ellie. She loves reading, baking, and enjoying the great outdoors (when it’s WARM) with her family and their dog, Maizy (Go Blue!). She has the brownest thumb ever when it comes to plants so don’t ask her about any gardening tips BUT weeds do thrive in her care.
Mandy has a love for theology and apologetics, with a firm belief that the Word of God be handled with integrity and respect.
“No human being…is ever conceived outside God’s will or ever conceived apart from God’s image. Life is a gift from God created in His own image.” ~John MacArthur
Psalm 139:13-14 “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”
James 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Gianni is a 2024 graduate of Medina County Career Center and has started a career as an electrician. He loves playing guitar, his dog Bailey and spending time with friends and family. He has attended First since 2009 with his family. He is excited to be a part of the staff at First and to see how God uses him.
We bring glory to God by EXPERIENCING and SHARING the HOPE OF JESUS.
We have a purpose for life. God wants everyone to know Him. We get to bring Jesus to the people around us. To do this we must live invested in our relationship with God and others. As we do this, the Holy Spirit empowers us to draw others to Him by our actions and by boldly sharing the hope He offers to the world.