Meet our Staff

Rev. Wendy Deering-Poynter,

Transitional Interim Minister

Rev. Craig S. Kirby-Grove is the oldest son of Rev. John and Nancy Grove, who along with his siblings grew up in the Mid-West. Pastor Craig graduated from Bethany College in 1984 with a B.A. in Religious Studies and then attended Claremont School of Theology and graduated with a M.Div in 1988. In 2007 Craig became a CPE Resident Chaplain at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, NC. 
Craig married Catherine in 1986 and they have been blessed with three children, Nicole, Allison and Samuel. They also have three grandchildren, Benedict, Bailey and Fritz. 
Pastor Craig has served churches in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, North Carolina, Illinois, and Missouri. In each of those regions he was active in Church Camp as either a counselor, director, or regional committee member. In North Carolina, Craig was the Chair of Christian Nurture Committee which oversaw all Camp and Conferences in the Region for the last six years. Craig has also been very active in local Minister’s Groups. 

Reverend Craig Kirby-Grove, Senior Minister

Lisa Smeltzer, Office Administrator

"Trust the Lord your God with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path."  Proverbs 3:5-6

Lisa has ministered at FCC as Office Administrator since 1998.  She holds a BS in Theatre and an MBA, both from Northwest Missouri State University.  Originally from Oklahoma, Lisa has lived in Maryville since 1969.  She is a big hockey fan, so it should come as no surprise that her "life motto" is from none other than Wayne Gretzky:  "You miss 100 percent of the shots you don't take."  With this in mind, Lisa lives out Christ's commission by spreading the Gospel through drama and puppets, both at FCC and First Baptist in Maryville, where she is a member, and beyond.

Deena Poynter, 

Music Director

Anita Dew, 

Organist

Sarah Groteluschen, 

Children's Music Assistant

Merlin Adkins,

Custodian