Jim Downing
Lead Pastor
jim@firstsayyes.com

• Jim has been with First Church since January 1997. He loves people and loves leading a Christ-centered, spirit-directed church that challenges people to Say YES to life, to love and to God.
  
  His favorite TV show is LOST (which is what he has been most of the time...to which Jim says, "There is no shame in being lost, the shame is no one is out looking for you!)
  
  Jim is the father of two great kids, Krystal, who teaches english in Taichung, Taiwan. and Kurt, who is married to Bri and directs a Christian camp in Colorado.
  
  Jim welcomes new and creative ideas for leading people to an active faith in Jesus Christ. And his favorite question is, "What box?"

Kendall Meek
Teaching Pastor
kendall@firstsayyes.com

Kendall joined the First Church staff in June of 2007. He, his wife Amy, and their daughter Emma were previously serving in Campus Ministry at West Texas A&M University. Originally from Oklahoma, Kendall and Amy love watching OU Sooner Football in the Fall. They also enjoy watching American Idol and taking walks as a family.

Kendall's passion for ministry is communicating the Christian message to the unchurched in clear and inspiring ways. He also loves teaching believers to become people of power, purity, and influence in the world. His life verse is Isaish 63.

You can find Kendall on MySpace, Facebook, and MSN Messenger (jkenm@excite.com).

Aaron Pate
MPact Youth Minstries Director
email@firstsayyes.com

Aaron is originally a Kentucky boy who really enjoys sports, laughter, and warm weather. He has a terrific wife, Stephanie who takes great care of him, and he is truly blessed with a group of wonderful youth.

Aaron's passion for ministry is for youth to grow in their faith and treasure their relatioships with Christ. He wants them to pursue their relatioship with God without fear, and to let them know that God loves them no matter what.

Aaron likes to watch Smallville on television and his favorite movie is Anchorman. His life verse is Hebrews 11:1-4.

Mandy Weideman
Pastor of Older Adults
Sr. High Students
mandy@firstsayyes.com

Throughout the past 11 years Mandy has been blessed with the opportunity to answer a call to serve in congregational ministry. Her life has been enriched by church family and amazing mentors in ministry. She loves to spend time with her husband Ryan and their beautiful children Clara and Kai.

Mandy's favorite movies are musicals or any Adam Sandler movie. Her favorite song is "The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow". She has been humming it since she played the role of Annie in 1994.

Charlie Youkey
Pastor of Visitation
charlie@firstsayyes.com

Charlie and his wife Kathy have three children together, Rachel, Mark, and Matthew. Charlie came to the Lord while serving as a AC-130 gunship pilot during the Vietnam war. He later spent six years as the Area Director for the Christian Broadcasting Network's 700 Club.

Charlies passion for ministry is to encourage believers into a deeper walk with the Lord. He loves sharing the Lord on one or in small groups and responding to spiritual questions. He feels called to share the word and pray with people. Some of Charlie's favorite verses are Galatians 3:6, 2 Peter 1:2, Romans 12:1, and 1 Corinthians 2:4-5.

Becky Rayl
Secretary
beckyr@firstsayyes.com

Becky has been with First United Methodist Church since May 1991.

One of her favorite books is "Raising Boys and Loving It – How to Raise your Sons to be Godly Men." Becky is married to Lyn and has two sons, Brad and Brody. She feels being a parent is one of her best blessings in life.

She also feels blessed to work in a Christian atmosphere. She enjoys people and is thankful to God for the opportunity to serve him by working in a church where she is continually meeting, growing and learning with others on their faith journey.

Connie Chamberlain
Publications Secretary
email@firstsayyes.com

Linda Nichols
Treasurer
lindan@firstsayyes.com

Linda was born and raised on a farm in Northwest Pettis County. She has lived in or around Sedalia her entire life, with thirty-five years in bookkeeping and banking.

Some of Linda's favorite movies are The Black Stallion, Black Beauty, and Gone With the Wind. She loves needlecraft and gardening. Her life verse is 1 Thessolonians 5:16-18 and Isaiah 40:31. Her passion for ministry is to set an example for Christ in her everyday routine.

Lori Broyles
Downtown Choir Director
email@firstsayyes.com

Lori joined First UMC in 2004 as our downtown choir director. She is married to Sonny and they have a daughter, Macy. Lori is originally from Pilot Grove. Being able to lead others in worship by using her talents in music has not only brought her closer to God but also to others who share that experience.

Lori's favorite verse is Jeremiah 1:9 - Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "Now, I have put my words in your mouth". In different situations in my life, God has always been faithful in helping know what to say when needed.

Leah Rhea
9:45 Worship Leader & Coordinator
email@firstsayyes.com

Leah joined our staff in 2005 as our 9:45 a.m. worship leader and music coordinator. Leah is originally from Sweet Springs and was the 2004 Missouri State Fair Queen. She has recently released her first CD entitled "Better is One Day". Leah is married to Trenton Rhea.

Cara Barth-Fagan
Nursery Coordinator
kids@firstsayyes.com

Cara has been a member of First Church since 2000. She is the daughter of a United Methodist pastor. She currently teaches at Smith-Cotton High School in special education and freshman classes.  Cara and her husband Brett have three sons, Levi, Ziek, and Keltin.

Cara's favorite movie is "The Goonies." She enjoys scrapbooking, Pampered Chef and photography.

Because of her love for God and people, Cara hopes one day to be a licensed Christian counselor.

Sheri Webb
Carpenter's Kids Preschool Coordinator and Senior Fitness Coordinator
kskla@charter.net

Sheri joined the staff in September 1999.

Sheri truly loves the Preschool with her whole heart. Her husband is named Kevin and they have two daughters, Kali and Lexi, and a son, Adam. Sheri's favorite movie is the Sound of Music. She is a love story addict.

She enjoys working with kids and her low impact aerobic fitness class. Doing these things makes her light shine a little brighter.

A Favorite Bible verse : "We set our hearts at rest in His Presence" 1 John 3:19

Lori Holt
Carpenter's Kids Preschool Director
kids@firstsayyes.com

Lori loves spending time in the Word, spending time with her family, and eating chocolate. She has a husband, Dan and two children Erin and Travis. Lori loves watching Nebraska football and some of her favorite books are Jesus Freaks and Purpose Driven Life.

Lori's passion for ministry is playing with preschoolers. Their curiosity and enthusiasm are contagious! They are so open to receive the teaching they are offered. Her life verse is 1 Thessolonians 5:16-18.

Len Holland
Custodian
email@firstsayyes.com

Michael White
Common Grounds Coffee Shop Manager
commongrounds@firstsayyes.com

Michael is currently studying Psychology and plans to attend seminary when finished. He enjoys playing the guitar, going to plays, and traveling with friends.

Michael enjoys many areas of ministry both in and out of the church setting. His favorite movie is "V" for Vendetta and he enjoys modifying and repairing cars and trucks. Michael's life verse is John 13:35.

John Rooks
Director of Technology
jrooks@firstsayyes.com

Wesley Christian
Assistant Technical Director
wesley_c@firstsayyes.com

Wesley's passion is using technology to help spread the word of God and giving the productions of the church a clean, professional appearance. He takes great joy when he hears of someone who lives outside of the US who listens to our sermon on the internet every week.

Some of Wesley's favorite movies are, The Great Outdoors and Clue. Wesley also likes to read the Bible, as he often says, "a chapter a day keeps the devil away". Wesley's life verse is Proverbs 23:9, Do not speak to a fool, for he will scorn the wisdom of your words.