Ministry Staff

   Denee Curl - Youth Director

   dshilling@hotmail.com

     "Duhnay" has been hanging with youth at Kent First since 2003.  She has been a constant source of encouragement and a resource person to our youth as they continue their journeys through life.  Not only does Denee provide leadership for the core youth in our church, she builds into their lives a spiritual commitment to reach out to others and establish relationships that will honor the Lord.  She is passionate about Jesus and about leading youth into a disciple relationship with the Lord.

     On her own time Denee loves to ski...when she can find a lake with a hill on it!  No really, she's into shushing down big mountains.  Recently married to Joel, that kind of removes Denee from the Bachelorette pool.  As Wassu alums both Denee and Joel are unusually fanatical about Washington State Cougers.  Considering the Coug's won-loss record recently, that's a head-scratcher!  Denee claims to have watched every episode of Friends at least four times.  Nay's favorite meal is a steak done just right at Daniel's Broiler - and that's right - if it doesn't include meat it isn't a meal!

   Kaycee Groom - Keyboard & Accompanist

     This versatile musician joined our staff in the Spring of 2007 and provides weekly inspiring accompaniment for choirs, ensembles, soloists, praise band, and congregational singing.  When Kaycee was 10 years old her grandmother told her that she had been blessed with a musical gift to give back to the Lord.  Kaycee remembers thinking that no way that was going to happen.  I want to play classical music, not hymns.  But God obviously had other plans and for the past twenty years Kaycee has been serving God through her music.  She believes that if people are touched by her music, it means the Holy Spirit is working with the notes and creating an impact far beyond anything she could ever personally accomplish.

     Kaycee maintains a piano studio her home and feels as passionate about teaching as she did when she started thirty years ago.

     In addition to music, in her leisure time Kaycee enjoys reading, baking, visiting friends, and spending time with her husband Marv, and her two sons. Her favorite scripture passage is Matthew 25:35-40.

   Ray Kolke - 1057 Worship Praise Director

     Ray comes to his worship leadership role through a myriad of gifts and talents, including a background as a school band teacher.  He brings a strong music passion to the platform and frequently writes and arranges music for our praise band and congregation.

     Ray enjoys spending much of his own time with his family, hiking, camping, and frequently fishing the rivers of Western Washington from his boat.

   Kristie McBride - Handbell Choirs Director

     Kristie is usually seen with a handbell in one hand and a baton in the other.  She directs our adult handbell choirs and ensembles, and is most effective in her role as teacher and encourager.  Kristie's spiritual fingerprints are evident in the lives of many children, youth, and adults who have learned a new music skill and appreciation for praising God in new ways.  By the way, her husband Doug, and their friend Steve are Exhibit "A" & "B" - you don't even have to know what a note looks like and Kristie can teach you how to ring handbells.  Kristie enjoys worship and is a faithful regular participant on the praise band.

   Cathy Morgans - Nursery Co-Director

     Cathy is one of those smiling adult faces prepared to distract your little ones with a "toy and a tale" as you worship with the "big kids" in the sanctuary.  Cathy has been working with our children for the past 5 years.  As a young adult attending college, she enrolled in several child development classes, and ever since Cathy has enjoyed creating a safe and pleasant place for children.

     Cathy is living out her dream of being a wife and mother.  She works in both her daughters' classrooms during the school year.  She also works part-time in an accounting office as an administrative assistant.

     When she finds spare moments Cathy enjoys reading American history novels, scrapbooking, and planning the family's next vacation getaway.

   David Rapske - Pastor - DMin, MDiv, MA, BAR

  sacredagent007@comcast.net

     David's passions include worship, preaching/teaching, family, playing music with my friends, all sports (especially hockey), and the "24" car.

     Latest good reads: The Art of Racing in the Rain/Garth Stein; Experiencing Leadershift/ Don Cousins.

     Latest additions on Dave's Zune: Glorious/Paul Baloche; We Shall Not Be Shaken/Matt Redman; You Deliver Me/Selah; Give Yourself Away/NewSong; Reunited/Gaither Vocal Band

     Not to miss programs on TV: Red Green Show and of course Hockey Night in Canada!!!

     Dave's favorites 2 rules: If we're not having fun and experiencing joy we're obviously not doing it right, and if we haven't made 10 NEW mistakes today...we're not trying.

   Debbie Runyon - Nursery Co-Director

     In the Fall of 2002 Debbie began sharing her love of children with the church as Nursery Attendant.  Prior to becoming a mom, Debbie spent four years as a daycare teacher, so when her own children arrived it was a natural thing for her to spend time in the nursery.  She believe it is important to provide a safe, creative, and fun place for our children while parents are attending weekly services and various events.

     In her spare time Debbie enjoys sewing, quilting, scrap-booking, crocheting, and a variety of other crafts.  She likes to make creative Halloween costumes, and anything related to babies.  Quilts are also a fun hobby, especially because each one feels like a personal piece of art.

     Life as a stay-at-home-mom with three children leaves little time for reading books that do not have "Dr. Suess" in the title.  Debbie does like to keep up with the latest novels and classics with audio versions that enable her to attend to the routine chores of the day.

   Verna Smith - Office Administrator

    richvernas@aol.com

     Somebody recently said, "If Verna doesn't know about it then it just isn't happening!"  Verna and her husband Rich joined FBC in November of 1984.  She has been answering phones, producing monthly newsletters and weekly worship bulletins, taking care of paying bills, managing calendars and who knows what else since June 1998.  Pictured with Verna above is her beloved golden retriever, Nellie, who until the Spring of 2009 was our unofficial office watchdog and mascot.  We miss you Nellie!

     Verna's passions center around family and friends.  She loves to travel and learn about other countries.  She and Rich have hosted 5 foreign exchange students from Europe, still in touch with all of them and the 8 "grandchildren."  She loves knitting, especially for those grandchildren, which now includes her own beautiful granddaughter.

     Verna loves music, especially hymns and praise songs - her favorite is Blessed Assurance.  She also has had the acting bug since high school.  Verna directs our church drama group, and if you're not careful she'll have you breakin' a leg at our next production.

     Introducing the newest member of our ministry team.  Brian and his wife Robin began working in our youth department as volunteers in 2007.  During his experiences he enjoyed walking alongside students on their journeys of faith.  Realized God's awesome power, Brian strongly felt the Lord challenging him to take the next step in his own journey - leading him to accept the call to serve in this youth leadership position.  Brian enjoys hanging out with the guys and offering support and guidance as they build closer relationships with Jesus.

     In 2002 Brian married the love of his life, Robin while cruising in the middle of Elliott Bay on the "Spirit of Seattle" Argosy dinner cruise ship.  Together they have a spirited 4-year old daughter named Avery who is anxiously awaiting the arrival of her new baby brother in July 2010.

     In his free time Brian loves to play, coach, and watch soccer.  he is anxiously anticipating the World Cup to be played in South Africa this summer.  Go USA!  Brian also enjoys snowboarding, fishing, camping, the music of U2, and simply being goofy with other kids of all ages!

   Jeanne Urquhart – Adult Choir Director

     Jeanne is our enthusiastic and proficient leader among our vocal choral teams.  She is responsible for making it not only fashionable to sing in the choir, but providing a fun environment to learn new songs and perfect the ones we already know.  In addition to weekly rehearsals, Jeanne leads the choir in worship performances at least twice each month, and preparing for special choral events, like our annual Christmas Holiday Musical.

     Jeanne is married to Stan and between them they love to spend time with their five grandchildren.  Traveling is more than simply getting from one place to another, and Jeanne enjoys seeing new places. 

     The greatest and best listening on Jeanne's iPod is a group called Incredibly Blessed.  She also enjoys the American Classical Piano Quartet which is best listened to at full volume on the docking station.

     When she isn't traveling somewhere Jeanne enjoys reading mysteries, biographies and stories that inspire.  Her favorite authors list includes Lisa Scottoline and Patricia Cornwell.  Jeanne also enjoys sewing, quilting, photography, hand crafts, and scrap-booking.  She has learned to make music on the piano, organ, accordion, cello and hammer dulcimer - something she learned to play from her 80-something great-uncle when she was a mere 10 years old.