330 North Broadway | Wichita, Kansas | 67202
+3162676244

Staff

Amy Lippoldt
Senior Pastor

Rev. Amy Lippoldt is a Wichita native who has served churches in the Great Plains since 2002, most recently at St. Paul’s UMC in Pavilion, Nebraska. Amy has pastored in a variety of contexts and is excited to discover the unique challenges and opportunities present in downtown Wichita. She has been an active leader in the jurisdictional and general church but love most local church ministry as that’s where the love of God transforms lives and disciples of Jesus are deeply formed.

Amy is married to Matt Sandbulte, PhD, a medical scientific writer with a background in immunology research.

Rebecca Goltry Mohr
Associate Pastor

Rebecca joined the staff of First Church in July of 2017. She is an ordained elder in the Great Plains conference of the United Methodist Church. Rebecca received her Master of Divinity degree with a focused study in urban ministry from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC. At First Church, Rebecca oversees congregational care and discipleship ministries. She is deeply committed to creating opportunities for people to grow closer to God through community formation and studying scripture. Rebecca also has a heart for  journeying with people who have experienced loss, trauma or grief.

Rebecca and her husband, Joe, a staff chaplain at Wesley Medical Center, are the parents of Mia and Charlotte. Together as a family, the Mohr’s love to go to Botanica, dine at many of Wichita’s local restaurants, travel and experience new places, and play with their long haired dachshund Susanna.

Donald Gray
Director of Music

Don has been actively involved in church music for over 40 years. At 13 years of age he began playing organ at his home church in Augusta, KS. During Don’s church music ministry career, he has served in a variety of roles including organist, children/youth choir director, bell choir director, and tenor soloist/section leader. He served most recently as Director of Worship Arts at Aldersgate United Methodist Church.

Don completed his Bachelor of Music Education degree at Wichita State University in 1986 and began teaching elementary vocal music in USD #259 Wichita Public Schools completing a Master’s of Education degree from Baker University in 2006. During his tenure as an elementary vocal music teacher. After 17 years in the elementary vocal music classroom, Don accepted the position of Vocal Music Curriculum Coach for Wichita Public Schools serving is this capacity for seven years before returning to the classroom and completing his tenure at Christa McAuliffe Academy (K-8th grade) retiring after 34 years of service.

Don and his wife, Lisa, have been married for 34 years and have two adult sons, Josiah and Jaedon.

Teresa Fields
Executive Assistant

Ministry Area: As executive assistant, I organize and direct the activities of the senior pastor office and provide professional skills and support for the senior pastor’s office.

I was born and raised in Wichita. My work experience includes legal secretarial experience and office administration.  In 2012, I began working at First United Methodist Church and I enjoy having the opportunity to utilize my administrative work experience to assist and serve in ministry within the life of the church.

My husband, Jim and I, have a blended family with six grown children and six grandchildren. I enjoy cooking, entertaining, photography, and spending time with family and friends.

 

Erin Davis
Director of Communications

As Director of Communications, each week I have the task of communicating to the congregation the many happenings at First Church in a variety of ways including, web, e-mail, and print. I also assist in the preparation of worship and the weekly Sunday morning broadcast.

I was born and raised in Wichita. I am also a graduate of Wichita State University’s Elliot School of Communication. I have been on the staff of First Church since 2000.

I enjoy gardening, traveling, spending time with my family, especially outdoors, being active and expressing creativity in a variety of ways.

 

Matthew Schrock
Director Religious Nurture Center

As Director of the Religious Nurture Center, I serve the spiritual needs of persons with developmental disabilities.

Thanks to a college volunteer opportunity with Habitat for Humanity; I experienced early on, the satisfaction of helping others. From then on, I’ve been committed to the pursuits of social justice, quality of life and the development of the full potential of each individual in society. My professional focuses have included; research, clinical practice, care management, outreach / residential programs, grant writing, legislative action committee work and non-profit administration. Working alongside vulnerable groups of society as a case worker, promise fellow, program director, program manager and private consultant – I have learned that they bring unique gifts to our communities. We should promote the full inclusion, participation and contribution of all persons.

 

Tara Dawson
Director of Church Operations
Nathan Putter
Director of Media
Debra Butterfield
Lead Accounting Assistant
Noah Naughton
Director of Facilities
Zackari Griffith
First Impressions Receptionist