Please Click On Staff Name For More Information
Dr. David Walls is our Senior Minister here at FCC. He is passionately devoted to his wife, Patricia and his family. The Walls have 2 sons—Jeremy and Kent. Kent lives in Redondo Beach, California and Jeremy resides in Chandler, Arizona with her bride, Maile and daughter, Kaelin.
Pastor Walls LOVES the people of First Congregational Church and says he has never met people like them!! He delights to preach the Word of the Lord faithfully each weekend and prayerfully anticipates a move of God every weekend. Dr. Walls is passionate about leading FCC into the future and rejoices in his staff team and church leadership council who are so willing to rally to the vision of the future. Dr. Walls says that he keeps pinching himself to be sure he is actually here at First Congregational Church.
Favorite Movie: “What About Bob?”—hands down, no close seconds
Jaw Dropping Book: “The Ragamuffin Gospel” by Brennan Manning. In fact, just read everything he writes.
Most Meaningful Verse of Scripture: Philippians 1:6—God isn’t giving up on me.
Prayer Dream for FCC: Find your way to Jesus Christ and Immerse yourself in His grace, mercy and forgiveness. May our Church always be a hospital for broken people, not a museum for frozen saints.
Pastor Walls can be reached at: david.walls@fcctc.org
231.947.6698 x 17
Jeff has served on the staff of FCC for 14 years, 10 as youth pastor and 4 as assistant pastor. He and his wife, Becky, have been married for 12 years and have five children, one girl, three boys, and one little angel who went on to be with Jesus after just 54 minutes of life back in 2004. They live on a small hobby farm where they raise horses.
As our assistant pastor, Jeff oversees the childrens, youth, and nursery ministries at FCC and coordinates adult small groups and classes. His passions are effective, expository preaching of the Word of God and leadership development. His favorite movie is “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.” The most meaningful passage of Scripture to Jeff is 1 Timothy 4:12-13, and his prayer dream for FCC is to see FCC bursting at the seams with people coming to faith in Christ.
Jeff can be reached at: goodwin@fcctc.org
231.947.6698 x 18
Dr. D. Gary Hogue has been in ministry since June of 1971. He loves the Good News of Jesus Christ and the triune God revealed through him, which has changed his life. Gary's favorite scripture is Genesis 1:1 through Revelation 22:21. That's right, the whole Bible throbs with the grace of God and testifies to God's creative and redemptive love which is everywhere working to to save and heal a broken world.
Gary considers it a privilege to be called to join in God's work. If he had to select one passage, Revelation 21:5b fits him well: "See, I am making all things new," as he considers day a gift. Dr. Hogue enjoys his sons and their ever changing families, and is ever grateful for Karen, his wife of over 40 years. God has blessed them in many ways, including a fruitful ministry at FCC.
Gary's favorite sports are football, basketball, swimming, and track. Long ago he participated in them and now enjoys watching them while he spends time on his elliptical machine most nights. Dr. Hogue enjoys close, competitive games and often roots for Ohio State, MSU, and Michigan. When they play each other, he is never disappointed because a favorite team always wins.
Dr. Hogue has obtained a BA, an M.Div, and a D.Min. God has placed deep in his heart a love for people and a desire to learn - He's never far from a good book or the Good Book.
Gary can be reached at: dghtcmi@hotmail.com
231.947.6698 x 16
Karen Hogue has been an active member of First Congregational Church for the past 26 years, working in the area of communications for the past 20+ years, and volunteering in several other areas of ministry. She is the wife of Dr. Gary Hogue, our current Senior Ministries Pastor, mother of 2 adult sons, and grandmother of 11. She is passionate about the people of First Congregational Church, the relationships, Christian growth and nurture opportunities she has experienced at FCC. She has a special love for our “elders” expressed through the “congregational care ministry” which she felt called to begin 20 years ago.
Her favorite movie is “What About Bob?” - truly, honestly, not having stolen this “favorite” from Dr. Walls.
Her life scripture is Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Her dream for FCC is to grow and thrive as an authentic body of Christ, each member developing and using his or her God-given gifts for the glory of God and in service to his way, his truth and his people.
Karen can be reached at: klh@fcctc.org
231.947.6698 x 15
Sally Lewis is the Music Minister and the Organist of First Congregational Church. She directs the FCC Handbell Choirs and is the Music Coordinator for the Mel Larimer Concert Series. She grew up in Traverse City and received advanced Keyboard Performance degrees at MSU and UofM, studying organ with Corliss Arnold and James Kibbie respectively. Sally is a nationally certified teacher of organ, piano, and harpsichord and maintains a private studio. She served on the music faculty at NMC for 17 years, holds Colleague and Associate certificates with the American Guild of Organists, and is the Treasurer of the Music House Museum.
She has traveled extensively in Europe with the Organ Study Tour and the FCC Tour Choir, and has played more than 250 organs throughout Western and Eastern Europe, British Isles, and Scandanavia, as well as in several U.S. states and territories including Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
Sally can be reached at: lewistvc@charter.net
231.947.6698 x 21
Bio coming soon!
Gregg Law is the Contemporary Worship Director at FCC. He and his wife Ruth have two sons: Christopher and Benjamin. Gregg is passionate about spreading the Gospel through music and leading God’s people in worship. He has been involved with FCC’s contemporary worship program since 1997 and enjoys singing, playing guitar and writing music. Gregg’s favorite movie is “The Gospel According to Matthew”; a word-for-word portrayal of the book of Matthew. His current favorite book is Louie Giglio’s “I am not but I know I AM: Welcome to the Story of God” which helps readers gain a proper perspective of the true greatness of God. His favorite bible verse is Matthew 4:19 – "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men.” Jesus challenges us to leave behind the life we are comfortable with; the one the world expects us to live – in favor of His invitation to step out in faith and serve God using our true gifts and talents.
It is Gregg’s prayer for FCC, like Dr. Walls, to be known by God as a church after His own heart. (And, a church that holds really good practice for worship in heaven each weekend!)
Gregg can be reached at: ddsitc@chartermi.net
231.947.6698
Ruth is the Youth Minister at FCC. While her official title is only a few years old, she's been involved with the youth ministry program since 2000. Ruth is married to her musically-inclined husband Gregg, and has two grown sons that she's immensely proud of; Chris and Ben.
Ruth's passion at FCC is for the Students of FCC & their friends. They may be under 18, but they're all smart, talented and simply amazing to be with!
Ruth's favorite movie is Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carole," her favorite version (if she had to pick) is probably the one with Patrick Stewart.
The most meaning section of scripture to Ruth is all of Psalm 139. She says "to know that I’m already known by God is so amazing. To imagine that he loves me anyway is so incredible!"
Ruth's dream and prayer for FCC is this: to be a family of Christians working together to share God’s love and advance his kingdom.
Ruth can be reached at: rlaw@chartremi.net
231.947.6698 x 34
Cherri Balentine plays a dual role here at First congregational Church as the Interim Pastor of Children’s Ministry and as the Kids Hope USA Director. Prior to this position she has worked with children for over 20 years in a variety of roles. Her greatest passion has always been watching children grow in positive ways in all aspects of development. Helping children learn and grow in their faith in Jesus has been especially rewarding.
Cherri is married to her husband Steve who is an electrical engineer and she has raised two college age children, Holly and Peter.
One of the most inspirational books Cherri has read is “Blessed Tragedy” by Karen Wells, in which her great faith carried her through a very difficult time.
Her current favorite movie is Father of the Bride because of the humor but also because of the struggle the father has in letting his daughter move into adulthood, a struggle she can relate to.
Cherri's dream for FCC would to see the Children’s Ministry program continue to grow in a big way as we bring more children to the knowledge that Jesus loves them and daily cares for them.
Her favorite Bible verse is “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
Cherri can be reached at cherri.balentine@fcctc.org
231.947.6698 x 25
Kate is the Director of the Community Children’s Center housed within First Congregational Church. She is a certified teacher with years of early childhood experience, a passion for the Lord, and a longing to making a positive impact on the lives of children and their families. Kate has been attending FCC and participating in the Sunday morning Contemporary Worship Team for over ten years. She is married to her high school sweetheart, best friend, and fellow worship team member, Kyle. Kate began attending FCC after being introduced to the church by Kyle way back in their high school days.
Kate’s favorite movie is “What About Bob,” one of her favorite books is “90 Minutes in Heaven,” and her most meaningful scripture passages include Matthew 25:40 ("I assure you, whatever you did to one of the least of these, you also did to me"), and Jeremiah 29:11 ("For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future"). Kate’s prayer for FCC and the Community Children’s Center is to grow the Kingdom of God exponentially, and shine the face of Jesus to all she meets.
Kate can be reached at kate.attwood@fcctc.org
231.947.6698 x 35
Information Coming soon!
David Russell feels supremely blessed to be able to do something he dearly love in service to God. David has always had an interest in recording: from mono open reel audio in grade school to digital multi-tracking, from 1inch black and white video to digital camcorders. Since 1987, he's been able to help spread the Good News through the technical arts programs here at First Congregational, designing, installing and maintaining audio and video systems, training and organizing volunteers, and editing the finished products. His passion is creating the best possible technical support for worship here at FCC and sharing worship excellence with people throughout northern Michigan.
David says he doesn't read all that many books. It’s mostly trade magazines and equipment manuals for him… But he loves the quote from Mackie’s mixer manuals, “If, after all your best efforts, your sound system insists on humming, try teaching it the words.” He also laughs really hard watching National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. In addition to all the technical things, David also love watching things grow (farming) and building things, especially with wood.
One of his favorite Bible verses is Ephesians 6:19-20, “and (pray) also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.” David's prayer for First Congregational is that we learn to open our mouths boldly to proclaim our faith in God and the redemption through Jesus Christ to the world.
David can be reached at: davidr@fcctc.org
231.947.6698 x 24
Cheryl Chism is the accountant here at First Congregational. She and her husband, Randal, have a 20 year old son, Christopher. She is inspired daily by her peers and the members of this church because oft he warmth, and caring, and love for Christ.
Cheryl loves music of all kinds and was particularly moved by a song she heard at a national youth conference sitting with 25,000 teenagers - they listened to John Angotti sing "Rise Up My People". Cheryl is trying to become a better quilter, enjoys makings crafts, and plays guitar when time permits.
Cheryl can be reached at: cheryl.chism@fcctc.org
231.947.6698 x 14
Susan Bonner is the Executive Assistant at FCC. She was invited to come aboard in the summer of 2011. It is her job to assist the pastors and by extension the body of believers at FCC to effectively accomplish the work of God's kingdom. In other words, she gets to watch over the details.
Susan has a Bachelor's Degree in Biblical Education from Columbia International University. Since placing her faith in Christ as a teenager, it has been her goal to serve the Lord with her whole being. Over the last 35 years, she has focused her energies in the area of children's Christian education as a Sunday school teacher, Christian education director, Christian school teacher of preschool and junior high students, chapel and conference speaker, and her new role as author and publisher. Her book, "My Whole Self Before You," being released in May 2012, is a child's prayer and learning guide modeled after the Lord's Prayer. It personifies her emphasis of teaching the Bible simply and creatively so that children of all ages can understand and embrace its teachings. Susan and her husband Keith are marketing the book nationally in hopes of impacting an entire generation of children with sound biblical thought. So why is she at FCC? Because Dr. Walls asked and God said "yes."
Actually, since stepping foot in First Congregational Church in December of 2009 at the invitation of Stewie Zacks, Susan knew she was home. The people are just like family--down to earth, genuinely friendly, well-balanced, community-centered, high achievers without airs, and really nice folks--a community of people she is thrilled to serve alongside of.
Susan's family is the joy of her heart! She has been married for 36 years to Keith, a retired Air Traffic Controller, and has two grown children. Kate is a graduate of Calvin College in Grand Rapids completing her Master's Degree in Art in San Francisco in May 2012. Justin is a graduate of North Park University in Chicago practicing massage therapy alongside Dr. Kerry Russell here in Traverse City. As many people might agree, it's tough having a massage therapist in the family! Susan and her family are lovers of thrift shopping, antiquing, and getting together to play games. They also have been known to make a mighty good bowl of soup.
Susan can be reached at: susan.bonner@fcctc.org or 231.947.6698