Leadership & Staff
Rev. Patrick W. T. Johnson
Pastor, Head of Staff
pjohnson@fpcasheville.org
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Patrick has served as Pastor/Head of Staff at First Presbyterian Asheville since December, 2015, after serving congregations in Virginia, California, and New Jersey. Before coming to Asheville, he was a pastor for six years in New Jersey and adjunct faculty at Princeton Theological Seminary. He is the author of numerous published articles and reviews, and the book The Mission of Preaching: Equipping the Community for Faithful Witness. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Government) from the College of William and Mary, and a Master of Divinity and Doctorate of Philosophy in Practical Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary.
His spouse, Caitlin, is also a PC(USA) minister and serves as a parish associate at FPC-A. They live in North Asheville, with their four children, Isla, Luke, Claire, and Felicity. The family loves to spend time outside, and Patrick enjoys biking, hiking, and any time spent in the woodshop.
At FPCA, Patrick focuses on worship and preaching, strategic direction, leadership and stewardship development, pastoral care, and community involvement. The best way to reach him is by email at pjohnson@fpcasheville.org.
Rev. David Germer
Associate Pastor
dgermer@fpcasheville.org
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The best way to reach him is at dgermer@fpcasheville.org.
Rev. Shannon Jordan
Associate Pastor
sjordan@fpcasheville.org
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Shannon joined our staff in January of 2022, after serving at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Decatur, AL, where she was a solo pastor. Before that, she served in several director positions at Vienna Presbyterian Church in Vienna, VA. She received her Master of Divinity at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC.
At FPCA, Shannon focuses on adult faith formation, children and their families, congregational life, and congregational care.
Shannon met her husband, John, at Vanderbilt. Shannon and John have two adult children. Stephen lives in San Francisco. Anna, her husband Gabe, and their son, James, live in Winston-Salem. For fun Shannon and John like taking walks with their dog, Ozzy, and exploring Asheville and the surrounding areas. John enjoys golf and Shannon enjoys photographing God’s world.
The best way to reach Shannon is by email at sjordan@fpcasheville.org.
Rev. Caitlin Johnson
Parish Associate
cjohnson@fpcasheville.org
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Caitlin is a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the PC(USA), a graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary, a native of New Jersey, and has worked with churches in Philadelphia and New Jersey before moving to Asheville. Most recently, she served as the pastor of Oak Forest Presbyterian in Asheville from 2021-2023. As an experienced pastor and minister, Caitlin brings professional training and skill to this role, and as a long-time member and participant at FPC-A, she brings deep knowledge of our congregation and insight into the needs of our families.
Nancy McNeill
Director of Engagement
nmcneill@fpcasheville.org
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Nancy began her work at FPCA in 1998, having been a faithful volunteer in Presbyterian church ministry for years. She began serving as coordinator of Children’s Ministries and later educational ministry with adults as Director of Faith Development. During that time she completed courses through the PCUSA in Christian Education. She is delighted to serve in her current role as Director of Engagement welcoming and involving visitors, new members, and continuing members in a variety of ways into the life and ministry of FPCA through mission, faith formation, and congregational life. She welcomes the opportunity to share extended conversation over coffee as she learns and assists others in helping to make this congregation feel like home. Nancy also enjoys working with our nursery staff and children’s ministry teachers to provide loving care and nurture faith for the youngest of our church family. She oversees our Sunday morning Godly Play classes for children ages 3-5th grade and helps to plan children’s mission, worship and fellowship opportunities.
Nancy and her husband Paul have been active members of FPCA since 1996. They cherish family time with their granddaughter Mallorie, children Aimee & husband Brady, Alex and wife Nicole living here in Asheville; and less frequent, but precious visits with grandson Jonah, son Chase and wife Anna living in Los Angeles. Nancy likes to walk or hike, cook, work on home projects, or enjoy the beauty of the mountains from their back deck. The best way to reach her is nmcneill@fpcasheville.org.
Liz Thurston
Church Administrator
lthurston@fpcasheville.org
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Liz is native North Carolinian who grew up in Greensboro, and in the Presbyterian Church. She had a long career in higher education administration, primarily in student affairs and enrollment services. Prior to moving to Asheville, Liz was the Director of Student Affairs at the Harvard Graduate School of Education for over twelve years. She also held positions at Greensboro College, Peace College, Midway College in Kentucky, and the Graduate School of UNC-Chapel Hill before moving up North to Boston. Prior to joining FPC-Asheville, she served as the Administrative Manager for the Asheville Census Office for Western North Carolina.
Liz loved her time in New England where she fell in love with the Boston Red Sox! However, but she always knew Asheville would be the home which she shares with her family – Karla, her wife, Cooper, their rescue dog, and their feline calico princess, Sophie. Liz moved with her family to Asheville as Karla accepted the call to be the head pastor at First Congregational Church in Hendersonville. Liz is an avid sports fan, loves to travel, and to spend time outdoors, doing just about anything.
At FPCA, Liz is responsible for the financial and business operations of the church, donor records and giving, as well as facilities management, communications, and information technology. She manages the support personnel to ensure work is well-coordinated and supportive of the church’s ministry and the work of other staff.
Liz looks forward to meeting and working with all members of the Church.
The best way to reach Liz is to email lthurston@fpcasheville.org or to call her at the church at 828-253-1431 ext 117.
Lucy Hazlehurst
Administrative Assistant
lhazlehurst@fpcasheville.org
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Lucy’s Biography Coming Soon!
Vance Reese
Interim Music Director and Organist
vancereese23@gmail.com
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Dr. Vance Reese is an Associate Professor of Music at Brevard College and Co-Principal Double Bassist at the Asheville Symphony Orchestra. He has degrees from Southern Methodist University, Scarritt College (Nashville), and has been accompanying singers since he was a teenager. He is involved in chamber music work, sings on occasion, rarely gets to dance, and has served as organist (and sometimes choir director) in various houses of places (except for skating rinks.) Except for the pandemic years, he has been the afternoon collaborative keyboardist for Wildacres since 2003. He undertook a two-year intensive study of dreams at the Haden Institute and has subsequently led different groups and classes in this work. He currently lives in Brevard with his wife, Jean.
Finn Ashe
Nursery Supervisor
Kim Thomas
Choir Assistant
Session
First Presbyterian Church is governed by a session, which is comprised of ruling elders elected and installed by the congregation and pastors.
The role of the Session is to govern the congregation and guide its witness to the sovereign activity of God in the world, so that the congregation is and becomes a community of faith, hope, love, and witness.
The Session is made up of three classes, with members serving three year terms.
Deacons
First Presbyterian Church has a Deacon team that supports the Session in a variety of caregiving roles, with emphasis on Congregational Care, Bereavement, New Members, and Prayer.
The Deacon teams are lead by Deacons but anyone can participate in the variety of care options. If this is an area that interests you, please reach out to Rev. Shannon Jordan.
