Leadership

While the church looks for the next Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Rev. Berry has been employed on a part-time, temporary basis to provide leadership in worship, pastoral care as needed, and to moderate meetings of the Session (the Board of Elders). He has completed his credentialed training as an Interim Pastor and has served in this capacity both full-time and part-time since his retirement as a full-time pastor in 2017.

Woody and his wife, Jan, live in Columbia. They have two adult children who live in Austin, Texas. He brings not only 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.

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.

Debbie Cheshire retired from the State of Missouri after 30 years of service. Her final position was with the Department of Public Safety as a Homeland Security Grant Manager. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from William Woods University. She is active in civic and veteran organizations and is a lifelong resident of Jefferson City.

Karen Faith Snyder graduated from Jefferson City High School and Nichols Career Center and began working at Hawthorn Foundation. She owned a small business for a few years and then became the Office Manager with the American Federation of Teachers, before coming to work with us. Karen loves children and dogs, reading, and outdoor activities. She is a warm and friendly person as she greets us and works to make our church life run smoothly.