First Presbyterian Church of Arlington

 

Rev. Robert Joel McClelland
fpca_pastor@yahoo.com

Head of staff. Oversees all ministries of the church.

Robert (Rob) Joel McClelland graduated from Texas Tech University with a degree in Political Science.  During his college years, God began leading him away from what he believed to be his ambition of practicing law and into ministry.  Rob received his Masters of Divinity from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and was ordained in Grace Presbytery in 2000 before accepting a call in Virginia.

Rob has served First Presbyterian in Arlington since November, 2006.

Rev. Sophie Marian Draffin 
fpca_youth@yahoo.com

Associate Pastor of Youth and Missions

After growing up in North Carolina, Sophie attended the University of Richmond and graduated in June of 2003 with a B.A. in Rhetoric and Communication Studies with minors in Spanish and Religion. Having felt the call towards youth ministry since high school, immediately after finishing college, Sophie moved to California to pursue further theological education. She graduated with a Masters of Divinity, with a concentration in Youth, Family, and Culture from Fuller Theological Seminary in December of 2006.

Sophie was ordained through New Hope Presbytery in North Carolina in August of 2008. She came to FPCA in June of 2008.

Rev. Esther Choi 
fpcaassociate@yahoo.com

Associate Pastor of Congregational Care

Esther grew up in Dallas and was confirmed at Highland Park Presbyterian Church.  She graduated from Queens College, with a major in Corporate Communications and a minor in Music.  After three years as youth minister at FPC Houston she decided to pursue further theological education.  She received her Masters of Divinity from Fuller Seminary in June of 2003, and took her first call as the associate Pastor of First Presbyterian in San Angelo, Texas.  She came to FPCA in the fall of 2007.

Russell Farnell
fpcamusic@yahoo.com

 

Director of Music Ministries

Directs the overall music ministry of the church, including the adult and children's choirs, hand bells, music camp, etc.

Kyle Terwilliger
fpca_childrensmin@yahoo.com


Directory of Children's Ministry

Kyle and his family moved to Arlington from Arizona to join the staff at FPCA in January, 2011. Kyle graduated from college in 1991 with a Bachelor of Religious Education Degree and has been involved in children’s ministry since then. He and Diane have been married for 13 years. They have four children - Samuel, Jonathan, Lydia and David. Kyle enjoys clowning, magic tricks and sports.  Romans 8:28-39 has been an especially meaningful passage for Kyle, reminding him that God works everything out for good and that nothing can separate us from the love of God.

Jo Anne Thomson
fpca_organ@yahoo.com

 

Organist

Primary organist for Sunday worship services.

Cheryl Harris
pianoaccomp88@hotmail.com

 

Organ and Piano

Assists in Sunday morning worship as needed and serves as the primary organist for the Agape youth choir.

Jeanne Chin
fpca_finance@yahoo.com

 

Financial Manager

Manages all financial records for the church and provides overall accounting services, etc.


fpca_secretary@yahoo.com




Administrative Assistant

 

Lisa Giles
fpca_ymc@yahoo.com




Administrative Assistant

Lisa is a native of Monroe, Louisiana. She relocated to Duncanville, Texas in May 2005, with her husband and three children. She came to FPCA in the Fall 0f 2010 as Administrative Assistant, supporting the Associate Pastor of Youth and Missions, Minister of Music, and Director of Children's Ministries.  As a child of God, Lisa loves encouraging the children of God.

 

Lesley Beckman
fppsarlington@hotmail.com 

 

Pre-School Director

Oversees the First Presbyterian Preschool, organizes curriculum, recruits and manages teachers and promotes the preschool.

Mary Nell White

 

Volunteer Coordinator

Recruits and organizes church office volunteers.

Jim McCoy
fpcatx@yahoo.com

 

Facilities Manager

Oversees overall facilities maintenance for the church, including office management, equipment maintenance, heating/cooling systems, etc.

Spencer Patterson


Night Security Monitor

Maintains building security for evening meetings, classes, etc. Greets those attending evening activities in the church.

Israel Garza

 

Facility Maintenance

Responsible for maintaining church facilities, including setting up tables/chairs for events, custodial services and general building upkeep.