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Meet Our Staff
Gina has been in the ministry for over a decade and comes to First Christian Church with a very dynamic background and an extreme level of focus and determination to continue making First Christian Church an inviting, welcoming community that anyone feels comfortable coming to as they are working on their own understanding of spiritual principles.
Gina previously served as Senior Pastor at the Warrensburg First Christian Church. “I am excited to be here in Maryville and to help grow the Maryville community spiritually," Gina said. Prior to her position in Warrensburg, Gina served as Associate Pastor/Director of Children’s Ministry at First Christian Church in Sedalia, MO.
Gina’s time outside the church is spent with her family. She has 6 amazing children. Gina loves serving youth and being active in the community. She is an avid reader and loves teaching others as well as being an encourager.
docpastorgina@gmail.com | Tel: 757-775-0074
Rev. Gina Johnson
Senior Pastor
Gina graduated from the Crossroads College in Rochester MN with a ministerial degree and then attended The United Theological Seminar in Dayton, OH where she graduated with a Master of Divinity focused on Church Renewal Leadership.
Gina stated that. “Everyone is born with equal ability to speak life into other people’s lives. I just had a passion for going through the formal education of ministry to learn what the teachers of the past had to share so we can continue the growth of the awareness of Christ’s Spirit in our lives.
"Our services are recorded live on Facebook at First Christian Church of Maryville, Missouri,” Gina noted. "I would like to personally invite anyone in the community who is looking for a positive, welcoming environment to give us a try. Everyone is welcome to come worship with us and learn.”
Financial Administrator
Lisa Smeltzer
Lisa has ministered at FCC as Office Administrator since 1998 and as the Financial Administrator since 2023. 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.
fccmaryvillemo@gmail.com | Tel: 660-214-3414
Technical Director
Patrick Immel
Pat has served as Technical Director at FCC since 2021. He manages all technical aspects including Lighting, Sound, Video & Network Administrator. Pat spends most of his time as a Full-Professor of Theatrical Lighting & Scenic Design at Northwest Missouri State University where he has worked for the past 25 years.
Custodian
Merlin Adkins
Christian Education Director
Ali Buesing
Ali has served as the Christian Education Director since 2022. She often delivers the Children’s sermons and hosts Sunday school. She is currently a senior at Northwest Missouri State pursuing her degree in Psychology. Email: abuesing7@gmail.com
tel: 402-317-2726
Office Administrator
Virginia Ripple
Virginia is a third generation, life-long member of First Christian Church and has been the Office Administrator since 2023. She holds a BA in English from Northwest Missouri State University and continuing education without a degree from Brite Divinity School. She is a cat-loving fantasy writer with a wonderful husband and 2 Blonde Blurs.
officemanagerfccmaryville@gmail.com
Tel: 660-214-3414
Music Director
Deena Poynter
Deena has served as the church Music Director since 1991. She coordinates and oversees all aspects of Vocal Choirs, Bell Choirs,Praise Band, and special music offerings of solos and ensembles, as well as music for weekly services in coordination with the Senior Pastor. She is a retired public school music educator and Northwest Missouri State University staff accompanist for the music department.
Anita Dew
Oganist