Your Staff
The only way to have a dynamic and sustainable youth ministry is to have a group of leaders that LOVE Jesus and LOVE students. Here at First Church of Jonesboro, we have just that.
We are so blessed to be led by quite possibly the most talented and loving group of folks you can and will find anywhere! Each and everyone of these folks is an integral part to what God is doing in and through
First Youth.
Each leader is vetted and back ground checked for the safety of your kiddo! You can be assured that we here at First Youth are being super intentional about creating the safe and fun environment you are looking for.
We use words like, STAFF, TEAM, COOPERATION. It's NEVER about one person. We use these words as the foundation of something that God is utilizing to build His kingdom!
Holly and Dustin Ichida
Holly snd Dustin are the leads of the ministry at First Church. They have been married since 2001 and have 2 beautiful kiddos, Grace and Gavin. They also have 2 super cool dogs, Lily a golden doodle and Rosie a lab pit bull mix! They could not be more excited to be at First Church!
Andrea Alpe
Andrea is a co-leader for the 11th grade girls small group. Andrea is mom to Olivia and Piper and wife to Kevin. Andrea is a local amazing artist, which is just super cool!
Alex Crawley
Alex is a co-leader for the 9th grade girls small group. Alex is a student at Arkansas State University. Alex is an amazing yoga instructor, which is just super cool!
Brian Graf
Brian is a co leader for the 10th grade boys small group! Brian is husband to Brenda and dad to Travis and Ashley. Brian is super clumsy and has a hilarious story about him and a ladder. Which is super awesome!
Elizabeth Kincannon
Elizabeth is a co-leader for the 7th and 8th grade girls small group. Elizabeth is a current student at Arkansas State University. Elizabeth has grown uo in First Youth, which is just super cool!
Amy Caplinger
Amy is a co-leader for the 7th and 8th grade girls small group. Amy is mom to Stone and Olivia and wife to Eric. Amy bakse some of the greatest brownies, which is just super cool!
Brian Dover
Brian is a leader for the 8th grade boys small group! Brian is husband to Ruth Allison and dad to Georgia and Charlie. Brian is a former lawyer in Jonesboro and drives his original convertible from High school, which is super awesome!
Mary Hyneman
Mary is a co-leader for the 11th grade girls small group. Mary is mom to Josh, Alex, and Taylor and wife to Matt. Mary is the greatest sports boy mom around, which is just super cool!
Melanie Leonard
Melanie is a co-leader for the 12h grade girls small group. Melanie is mom to Ethan, Abby, and Eli and wife to Dave. Melanie is a former 2nd grade teacher and now the Children's pastor at First Church, which is just super cool!
Eli Leonard
Eli is the leader of the 12th grade boys small group. Eli is the current First Youth Assistant minister with students. He is a local kid that in his time at JHS compiled 6 state championship rings which is way cool!
Melissa Phillips
Melissa is a co leader for the 9th grade girls small group! She's married to Marc and mom to Matthew, Caleb, Zach, and Jared. Melissa might be a bigger dog lover then Holly and I. Which is super cool!
Lee Shinaberry
Lee is a co leader for the 9th grade boys small group! Lee is husband to Kerri and dad to Ashley, Allison, and Anna. Lee owns a pharmacy that makes all the medicine plus he's a stellar at tennis,.Which is super awesome
Marc Phillips
Marc is a co leader for the 10th grade boys small group! He's married to Melissa and dad to Matthew, Caleb, Zach, and Jared. Marc is a Disney World freak. Which is super cool!
Madelyn Prestidge
Madelyn is a co-leader for the 7th and 8th grade girls small group. Madelyn is wife to Ragland. Madelyn grew up in First Youth and works for Arkansas State University, which is just super cool!
Wade Quinn III
Wade is a co leader for the 9th grade boys small group! Wade is dad to Destiny, Sloan, and Cross. Wade owns a local work out gym and lives in a castle, Which is super awesome
Nathan Schimmel
Nate is a leader for the 7th grade boys small group! Nate is husband to Kendy and dad to Tobin, Vada, and River. Joe is an amazing dentist in town and LOVES classic rock music. Which is super awesome
Janea Spades
Janea is a co leader for the 12th grade girls small group. Janea is mom to Abby Jane and wife to Billy. Janea owns an indoor pig named Ruby Mae which is so so awesome!