Our Leadership & Staff

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Staff

Jeff Linthicum
Senior Pastor

“I’m Jeff Linthicum, the Senior Pastor here at First Mennonite Church. My wife Megan and our two boys Nate and Josh have been led by the Lord to return to our home community after serving Him in other locations in the States as well as abroad. This congregation is very dear to us. This is Megan’s home church and it has supported us in missions. It’s a privilege to be on staff and to be part of what God is doing here. If you’re curious about our church, we welcome you to visit us! Here at First Mennonite, we’re all on a journey to become more like Christ with our words and with our actions. We haven’t perfected it yet, but perhaps you haven’t either and would like to join us as we seek to grow spiritually together.”

Darren Kloepper
Youth Pastor

“My name is Darren Kloepper and I'm the youth pastor here at First Mennonite. In my younger years I faithfully attended church and went through the religious motions that many people practice today. However, through my teen years I became a true rebel and did many things that I regret. Fortunately, in the summer of 1989 God transformed my life and now I can say that I have an authentic relationship with Jesus Christ. This certainly doesn't mean that I've got it all together, but to be sure during that amazing encounter my life's compass was radically changed. In 2003, after spending many years in the industrial work setting I stepped out in faith to fulfill God's call to go back to school and then serve in occupational ministry. My passions in life include growing more and more into God’s image and helping others to do the same. I married my high school sweetheart (Heidi) in October of 1992. We have seven children: Madison, Caroline, Sarah Jane, Joseph, Daniel, and twins Will and Tate.”

Jerry Flueckiger
Care and Adult Ministries

“I’m Jerry, Pastor of Visitation and Adult Ministries here at First Mennonite. It’s ironic that while I work for the church, much of my job happens in hospitals, nursing homes and members’ homes. This is my 47th year of ministry and my wife Bonnie has been at my side through all of them. We’ve been married 50 years and have three children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Throughout ministry years, I have seen God at work in many lives and continue to marvel at his involvement in the lives of his people. Serving at First Mennonite has been a highlight of my life.”

Brent Hyman
Director of Music & Worship Ministries

“I can’t believe I get paid for this! Every day I am privileged to combine two of my favorite things, Jesus and music. I love to worship, facilitate worship, teach others to worship and watch volunteers give gladly of their time for worship at First Mennonite. One of the other great things about this calling is the variety of types and styles of music I get to work with. From choirs and hand-bells, to band instruments and praise band, we have lots of opportunities to worship God in music. I can’t think of a better way to spend my days! Aside from my position at church I am also husband to Chris and ‘Daddy’ to Camden, Conner and Cole.”

Leadership

The ministry leadership of First Mennonite Church is divided into four major groups. Each group, or commission, is responsible for a different area of ministry in our church. To promote proper communication and encouragement for these leaders, First Mennonite maintains a Ministries Council, Spiritual Guidance Cabinent and Gifts Discernment Committee. Below you’ll find the names of the leaders in each commission as well as ministry opportunities in each of the four ministry areas. Feel free to contact our leadership with questions or inquiries about involvement or ideas.

Ministries Council:

This group of members is responsible for overseeing ongoing ministries at First Mennonite Church. The council contains members already involved in leadership in each of the ministry areas and is led by the senior pastor, a moderator, a secretary, and a treasurer.

Pastor Jeff Linthicum
Naomi Lehman- Moderator
Greg Meyer- Treasurer
Sharon Neuenschwander- Secretary
Lora Sprunger
Orlyn Lehman
Jim Buckingham
Greta Lehman
Mary Sommer
Paul Lehman
Jane Nussbaum
Cindy Reusser
Kathy Bauman
Phil Wulliman

Spiritual Guidance Cabinet:

These members oversee the spiritual climate of our congregation:

Neal Reusser
Beth Knuth
Mark Conrad
Darin Ringger
Milly Fox
Paul Norr
Sharon Wulliman

Gifts Discernment Committee:

These members help others in the church determine their God-given gifts and abilities and encourage members to use those gifts in specific ministries of the church.

Rod Lehman- Chair
Kelly Wheeler
Sara Jo Sprunger
Lana Shoaf
Ted Beitler
Lydia Fox
Dave Burson
Michael Mosser

Worship Commission:

Byron Fox- Chair
Heidi Lehman
Carla Bluhm
Cindy Reusser
Lora Sprunger
Dawn Balsiger
Scott Lehman

Worship Ministries

Chancel Choir
Ernie Steiner- President/Secretary/Treasurer
Brent Hyman- Director

Youth Handbell Choir
Brent Hyman- Director

Adult Handbell Choir
Gwen Habegger- Director

Choral Society
Ernie Steiner- President

Audiotape Committee
Van Wulliman- Chair

Broadcast Ministry
Alan Habegger

Flower Committee
Fred Lehman- Chair

Ushers
Jamie Cressman- Chair

Greeters
Jennifer Lehman- Schedule Coordinator

Care Commission:

Sara Meyer- Chair
Sondra Lehman
Orlyn Lehman
Phil Wulliman
Barb Lehman
Diane Antrim

Care Ministries

Prayer Ministry
Doris Liechty, Harold Nussbaum- Coordinators

Sunshine Hour
Jerry Flueckiger- Coordinator

Senior Adult Ministries
Harold and Marie Nussbaum, Weldon and Betty Lehman- Coordinators

Visitation Ministry
Jerry and Bonnie Flueckiger- Coordinators

Women’s Ministries
LaDene Lehman- President

Et Cetera Ecke
Diane Antrim- Director

Kitchen Committee
Bill and Gretta Lehman, John and Sonja Bluhm, Diane Antrim- Coordinators

Funeral Meal Committee
Sondra Lehman, Gretta Lehman, Bertha Neuenschwander- Coordinators

Hospitality Committee
Ada Marie Frank- Chair

Nursery and Cradle Roll Committee
Elizabeth Fruechte- Chair

Peace and Service Committee
Jeff and Sondra Lehman- Chair

Project Share
Amy Tumbleson

MCC
Jim Eicher

Mennonite Disaster Service
Jim Buckingham, Jim Eicher, Phil Eicher

Mennonite Mutual Aid
Linda Eicher- Advocate

Witness Commission:
Kim Ringger- Chair
Jennifer Reusser
Mary Bauman
Greta Lehman
Floyd Liechty
Mary Sommer

Witness Ministries

Nursery School Board
Chris Gilbert- Chair

Correspondent to Mennonite Weekly Review
Tom Fox

Editor of the Update
Tom Fox

Church Signs
Brent Hyman

Tracts
Steve Lehman- Chair

Hebrews Coffee Ministry
Jennifer Reusser

Church Tours

Witness Commission

Compassionate Ministries
Bill Beachey and Cindy Habegger

Prayer Room Committee
Lana Shoaf and Jane Mosser- Co-Chairs

Disciple Commission:
Jane Nussbaum- Chair
Craig McKean
Bill Beachey
Kathy Bauman
Lora Flueckiger
Kevin Fox

Discipleship Ministries

Children’s Ministry Committee
- Director of Children’s Ministries

Adult’s Ministry Committee
Malcolm Stauffer- Chair

Youth Ministry Committee
Darren Kloepper- Youth Minister

Midweek Committee
Paul Norr- Chair

Library Committee
Joyce Fox and Sara Jo Sprunger- Co-Chairs

Historical Committee
Jessie O’Dell- Chair

Mennonite College Scholarship Committee
Joe Graber - Chair

Trustees

Kent Frank
Bill Lehman
Rod Mosser
Tim Shoaf
Jim Buckingham
Paul Lehman

Endowment Board of Trustees

Malcolm Stauffer
Jamie McDonald
Jack Shoaf
Rick Gorrell
Dave Fox
Elizabeth Fruechte