Church Staff and Leadership
Rev. Shannon Grubbs, Associate Pastor to Children and Families
Shannon Grubbs was born in Fort Worth, Texas, and grew up in various towns throughout north and central Texas as her father served as a minister in the United Methodist Church. She graduated from Waco High School in 1989, married, and moved around the country for a few years with her husband who served in the United States Navy.
Shannon attended the University of Hawaii until her son was born in 1992. In 1994, She went to work for EZCorp, Inc. in Atlanta, Georgia where she worked as an Executive Assistant until she transferred to the Dallas area in 1997 after having survived a divorce. While living in the Atlanta area, she served on the Praise and Worship team and worked with the children at The Shepherd's Door Church in Conyers, Georgia.
In October 1999, Shannon left her position at EZCorp, Inc. after having received the call into the ministry. She began working with the children's choir at Eastridge Park Christian Church (EPCC) in Mesquite, Texas, and in January 1999, became Children's Minister for that congregation. She received her ministry license from the North Texas Area Disciples of Christ in 2002, and in January 2005, she became Minister to Women and Children at EPCC.
Shannon married her husband, Paul, in 1999, and is proud to be mom to Trey and stepmom to Todd and Ian.
Rich Shelton, Director of CYF
Rich Shelton was born in Phoenix, AZ to Richard and Sandra Shelton in 1974 and he grew up Adrian, MI. He played basketball, track, and soccer, was in choir, as well as being involved in church and youth activities, from church youth camp, to summer camp meetings, from youth outreaches, to singing solos and in choirs; even being the Children’s Church Pastor for his father during his senior year of high school. He attended LEE University, which is in Cleveland, TN and graduated 1997 when he moved to North Texas where he has mostly lived ever since. Rich’s goals for CYF are big. He wants to see passion for Christ and His word ignited and sustained within our students. Together he will lead the you to grow spiritually strong and vibrant, with our roots firmly grounded in the word of God. He is excited about our being involved in mission trips, local social outreaches, and also ministry to this church body. Rich closes by saying, “The potential for growth is LIMITLESS! God will do what we allow Him to do, and when we are willing to let an AWESOME God do what He wants, AWESOME things will happen!”
Joe Shafer, Director of Chi Rho
Joe Shafer was hired by First Christian in August, 2007 as Youth Director for Chi Rho. Joe has a gift for working with youth, and has shared that gift through years of volunteer work at First Christian Church; as youth sponsor and as Chi Rho Sunday School teacher, and through years of leadership in Boy Scouts of America.
Joe and his wife Melinda have two grown sons.
Michele Sargent, Organist and Bell Choir Director
Michele was born and raised in the Chicago area. She stayed in Chicago for her undergraduate work, graduating from North Park College with a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance (with a minor concentration in organ). She then attended University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, earning a Master of Music in Piano Performance (with a minor concentration in harpsichord).
Michele moved to Dallas to join the faculty of Richland College, teaching piano at the community college level and in her private studio. She has held organist positions at Presbyterian and Methodist churches and been an active free-lance accompanist in the Metroplex.
Michele is an ordained elder in the Presbyterian Church USA and has been organist at First Christian Church since February 2001. She has one college-age son, Jonathan.
Debbie Johnson, Interim Director of Music and Children’s Choir
Melinda Shafer, Administrative Assistant
Melinda Shafer was born in Independence, Missouri, but has spent most of her life in the Dallas area. She earned a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree from the University of North Texas in 1976 and married FCC Chi Rho Director, Joe Shafer, in 1977. Having stayed at home for many years with their two now grown sons, Melinda then entered the workforce at Williams High School in Plano ISD. Melinda Shafer happily joined the FCC staff as Administrative Assistant in November of 2007.
Don Jones, Facility Technician
Married in August 1965, Don and LyndaGail have three children (Debra, David and Steven) and nine grandchildren. They live in Carrollton and attend Hillcrest Church.
Don has been working quietly behind the scene at First Christian Church since January 1998. He has true enjoyment preparing God's building for worship by His Church. He firmly believes the physical setting helps set the atmosphere for worship. Don puts his heart into his work and no task is too small or too large for him.
Lori Shoe, Financial Secretary
Julie Overman, Nursery Director
Mark Hendricks, Chairman of the Board
Grover Brillhart, Chairman of the Elders
Corky Ellis, Chairman of the Deacons
Last revised 06/09/2008