Staff - Wichita First United Methodist Church

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 Papillion, 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.

Jeff Graber

Associate Pastor

Jeff Graber, a native of Hutchinson, KS, has been in ministry as a licensed local pastor since 2017 after a 9 year career in Information Technology. He served Marquette UMC and Halstead UMC. Jeff is married to Chelsea, and they have two daughters, Madalynn (12) and Evelynn (6). The family enjoys board games, ice cream, camping, and kayaking. Jeff has been completing his Master of Divinity degree at St. Paul School of Theology as a part-time student and will graduate in May of 2025. He is excited about experiencing ministry in an urban setting and being a part of the great team at First Church.

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-8^th 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.

YunJung(YJ) Lee

Organist

Yunjung(YJ) Lee is the permanent organist at Wichita First United Methodist Church and is known for her exceptional talent and accomplishments as an organist. Originally from South Korea, YJ is part of a family that includes her husband, Rev. Seungli You, who is the senior pastor at Winfield First United Methodist Church, and their son Teo, born in 2023. They also have two puppies. YJ holds a Bachelor of Music with a major in organ and an emphasis on church music from Yonsei University in Seoul. She also earned a Master of Music with a major in organ and a Performer's Diploma from Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Throughout her career, she has won numerous organ competitions in the US and Asia and has played for several churches in Dallas during her studies. Her deep faith and love for God inspire her to create beautiful and meaningful worship experiences for all.

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 hiking, traveling, spending time with my family, being active and expressing creativity in a variety of ways.

Kane McEntire

Church Administrator for Membership and Pastoral Care

Kane McEntire, a native of Valley Center, KS, has been actively working and serving in churches in the Wichita area for 20 years, and on staff or in pastoral ministry in the Great Plains Conference for more than a decade. Kane is married to Leslie, who is a renowned teacher in Maize Public Schools. Between them they have three children, Talan, Kole and Ella Mercy. In his free time Kane enjoys music, playing ukulele, shopping, singing, listening to music, collecting vinyl records, fitness, pickleball, home theater, reading, and video games. If you connect with Kane on social media, you'll be blessed by a daily pun! He is looking forward to meeting you and thrilled to be a part of wonderful staff at First UMC!

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

Cy Dumford

Custodian