Office Staff
Debbie Sherrell, Business Administrator
Debbie graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with a degree in Economics and Finance. She has worked with two other churches in the Dallas area.
Her husband, Steve, works at Ericsson. Her daughter, Stephanie, is attending Baylor University and her son, Scott, is in High school. The Sherrells are members of First Baptist Church in Richardson.
Carolyn Giffen, Administrative Assistant to the Senior Pastor and Lay Ministry Coordinator
Carolyn supports the efforts of the Pastor in making disciples. Welcoming guests and connecting our members to the people that will encourage them in their faith, enable them to do service, and bond them to community, sets them on the road to discipleship.
Carolyn attended the University of North Texas and became Lay Ministry Coordinator here in 1995, establishing an atmosphere of lay involvement, developing opportunities for service, and raising up leaders who serve others. Developing new ministries and seeing each person become the "minister" that God desires is her passion in her work.
Carolyn and her husband Doug have been active at First Church since 1975 and she has served on staff since 1990. Three grown sons, three daughters-in-law, two grandsons, and a granddaughter bring joy to her life. Two of her children serve in ordained ministry and all are actively involved within their respective churches, growing as followers of Christ.
Rebecca Carpenter, Membership, Youth, and Education Administrative Assistant
Rebecca and her young daughters joined First Church in 1985. She met her husband Bob in the singles ministry here and they were married in 1994. Rebecca's daughters Leanne Libby and Kristen Kuck grew up in the church, attending the MDO program and CCA through high school graduation. Grandson Spencer Kuck now attends MDO.
Rebecca joined our staff in 1991 and has worked with Evangelism, Youth, Education, and Membership. She oversees the wedding scheduling and office equipment.
Rebecca's involvement with the youth at First Church has been a rewarding one for both Rebecca and the young lives she has touched.
Lindy Thomas, Communications Coordinator, Receptionist
Lindy joined our staff as a part-time Receptionist in the summer of 2004, and has since changed to full-time and picked up responsibilities for communications, from programming the electronic sign to managing the website, including bulletins and editing First News.
Lindy is a graduate of the University of North Texas. She and her family have been in the church since 1982. She has taught Bible studies and worked with the Women's Ministry and many other ministries over the years. She currently leads a Bible studies during the week.
Lindy and her husband Lindsey live in Coppell, and have three daughters and two sons-in-law. Bonnie and husband Chris, Abbey and husband Dane, and Susanna all live in the area and are active at First Church.
Nancy Barganier, Finance Officer
Nancy had been employed with First Church since 1986. She works in the Finance areas of the church, CCA, and the Child Care Center.
Nancy graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with a B.S. degree in Business and Public Administration, and has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1985. She was previously employed at Electronic Data Systems.
Nancy and her husband Wathan have two grown children. An active member of First Baptist Church in Carrollton, Nancy considers it an honor and a blessing to be able to use her skills in administration to assist our church's ministries.
Mary Kleypas, Receptionist
A member of First Church since 1963, Mary found it a joy to sing in the choir from the time she joined until 2003. Singing was her way of serving our Lord.
Mary was born in Dallas and has lived in Carrollton since 1962. She has worked at the church since 1995, greeting visitors, answering phones, and managing our scheduling and office supplies. Mary has three grown children, Lois, Gordon, and Lisa and two grown grandsons, Austin and Stuart Werner.
Mary shares that "The Lord is not only my Shepherd - He is my dearest friend."