Leadership

Woody Berry is a native Texan, a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, where he earned master’s and doctoral degrees in divinity. Pastor Berry served several churches in Texas including Westminster Presbyterian in Odessa, Northwood Presbyterian in San Antonio, First Presbyterian in Fort Worth, and University Presbyterian in Austin, before becoming Pastor of the Community Church of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado, and Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church in Lexington, Kentucky. He retired to the Mid-Missouri area where he has served many churches in the area in various capacities before coming to us as our supply pastor.

Woody and his wife, Jan, live in Columbia and have been married for over 50 years. They have a daughter and son-in-law, Kennedy and Justin, and a son, Chris, who all live and work in Austin. He brings not only lots of experience but also a love of Christ, the church, and ministering among believers.

Jimmy Kay Sanders, a Jefferson City native, received her bachelor of music education and master’s of music education degrees from the University of Missouri – Kansas City Conservatory of Music. She also studied at the Academy of Music, Vienna, Austria.

She taught elementary vocal music (K-6) in the North Kansas City School District and served as organist for Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Kansas City before returning to Jefferson City. She served as organist at First United Methodist Church for many years before joining the staff at First Presbyterian in 2008.

Sanders is a member and has served as Dean of the Central Missouri Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. She is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honor Society and has served as state President of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity for Women. She is active in many musical, as well as community, organizations.

Dr. Natasia Sexton has served as the Director of Music at First Presbyterian Church since 2019, after leading the Chancel Choir since 2012. Her previous roles include Director of Music at Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church in Sunnyvale, CA, and Director of Children’s and Youth Music at Burlingame Presbyterian Church in Burlingame, CA. She has also held soprano section leader positions at Hillsboro Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church in Nashville, TN.

In addition to her church responsibilities, Dr. Sexton is an Associate Professor of Music at Westminster College in Fulton, where she conducts the Churchill Singers and teaches music history and theory. She also serves as Chair of the Humanities Division and Vice-Marshal of the College.

Natalie Mendez is blessed that she was called to be the Christian Education Director for First Presbyterian Church. She feels it’s an amazing gift to be part of the Christian learning of children along with our congregation.

In 1998, she started teaching in a local preschool when she was a college student at Lincoln University and knew from that point on, she wanted to teach children as her career. She began teaching for the Jefferson City School District in 2001 and is currently employed there. She has taught preschool, first, third and fourth grades. Presently, she teaches Emergent Multilingual Learners, which means her student’s primary home language is not English. She has lifetime dual certification for classroom instruction in grades 1st-6th and also in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Kindergarten-12th grades. She’s also earned two Master’s degrees, one from William Woods University in Educational Administration and the other from University of Missouri-Columbia in Curriculum and Instruction with additional certification in TESOL. 

​Natalie is most grateful for being a Mama to her two daughters, a member of her wonderful family and a child of God. 

She believes true teachers learn new things every day and apply the information to strengthen their student’s educational opportunities. 

Desiree and J.P. Dunn met 7 years ago because of their mutual love of agriculture and Christ.

Desiree grew up on a farm in southern Illinois where she was born and raised in the Presbyterian Church and has been a Sunday school teacher for both high school and elementary-aged students. She has volunteered for VBS at several different churches and has served as a co-children’s choir director and Christmas pageant director in the past. Desiree works as the “Facilitator of Imagination” here in the Preschool at First Presbyterian Church of Jefferson City.

J.P. Grew up in Macon, Missouri working on his family’s farm and farm equipment dealership, he grew up in the Baptist church there. J.P. has been a Sunday school teacher and a 4H club leader. He continues part-time work for agricultural interest groups. He and Desiree farm near Tebbetts, Missouri in Callaway County.

Together they have five beautiful children Elisabeth, 20 in Denver, Colorado; Zia, 20 in Flagstaff, Arizona; John, 18 in Rolla, Missouri; Grayson 11, and Zayne 5.

Desiree and J.P. are excited about learning, leading, and growing with the Youth of the First Presbyterian Church of Jefferson City.

Jaymee has an impressive resume and she will be joining us from First Mid Bank and Trust where she has served as a Loan Assistant and Universal Banker. She was Operations Manager for LifeTouch for several years and is nearing completion of her Bachelors in Business Administration.Her references speak very highly of her credentials, people skills, and delightful personality. One reference remarked ‘The bank’s loss is the church’s gain.’ She is a problem solver and fluent in sign language. Another reference said ‘Jaymee goes above and beyond and is very well-liked by customers.’ As Jaymee introduces herself:“I am a mama to my two beautiful children, Kaeden and KhaLeeah. I was born and raised in Jefferson City, MO. My favorite past – time is watching my son practice basketball three times a week, and watching his tournaments every weekend. I love Mexican food and cherry Vanilla Coke!”