Senior Pastor and Head of Staff

The Rev. Dr. Sam Weddington joined the community of F.P.C. on August 1, 2018. Sam has served churches in New Jersey, Seoul, South Korea and Virginia. Sam is joined in ministry with his wife Grace, who is also an ordained Presbyterian minister, and two children, Sammy and Joan. His theological passion is Pauline theology, and his doctoral work explored the intersection of new creation, ecology, and modern Protestant evangelicalism. Beyond his doctorate from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, he holds a Master of Theology (Th.M.) from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from Union Presbyterian Seminary. Sam has deep family connections to the Bristol and Abingdon areas.

Minister for Discipleship and Care

Dr. Welch has served First Presbyterian Church as Minister for Discipleship since June 2005. He has served churches in Boone, North Carolina; Louisville, Kentucky; and Douglasville, Georgia. Along with worship, he is interested in all new technology. He and his wife, Linda, have been married since 1987. He and Linda share experience in youth and college-age ministries. They have three adult children, Kathryn, Abigail, and Stephen, who all reside in Knoxville. Dave has an undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt, a Masters of Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Columbia Theological Seminary.

Director of Contemporary Worship

The Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Swam Sidi (Jerry) serves as the Director of Contemporary Worship here at First Pres.

Originally from Kaduna State, Nigeria., Jerry and his family (Rachael (wife), Davita (daughter), David (son), and Damita (daughter)) came to First Pres from Waco, Texas.

Jerry recently completed his Doctorate at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. He received a Bachelor of Art in Theology (Pastoral Studies) from Jos ECWA Theological Seminary, Nigeria. He also has a Master of Theology ThM. Missiology from Presbyterian University and Theological Seminary Seoul, South Korea and a Master of Christian Ministry (MACM) from Baylor University Waco, TX.

Director of Children’s Ministries

Lilly has served as our Director of Children’s Ministries since June 1, 2014. She brings a strong musical background and experience in our children’s music ministry to her post. Lilly graduated from King College with a major in Elementary Education and a minor in Bible and Religion and formerly taught in the Sullivan County School System. In addition to her work for FPC and as a piano teacher, she cares for her family of five children, Michael, Annie, Daniel, Ginny, and Charlotte.

Director of Student Ministries

Katie joined the FPC staff as Director of Student Ministries in the summer of 2012, after serving churches in Abingdon and Atlanta. Her passion for walking with students through their teenage years as they wrestle with faith shines through her work with the youth of FPC and the community. Katie graduated from King University in 2005 with a degree in youth ministry and psychology and earned an MA in Family Ministry from Bethel Seminary in 2016. She has three children, AJ (son), Brady Thomas (son), Wrenley (daughter).

Church Business Administrator

Betsy has been overseeing the daily operations of the facility and handling our accounting since September 1999. She holds a degree in business administration with a major in accounting from Tennessee Technological University. Betsy has also served as treasurer for other local not-for-profit organizations. Betsy and Lee married in 1983 and are the proud parents of two terrific adults, daughter Sarah Newton and son Pearce Galliher.

Financial Assistant

Scottie joined our staff September 1, 2016. If you call or come by the office, you will be greeted by Scottie. In addition to being the face of our office, she is the Financial Assistant to the Business Administrator.

Director of Facilities & Technology Ministries

Will oversees the audiovisual equipment we use in worship; security; outreach; and the day-to-day management of our beautiful buildings and grounds. Will comes to FPC with an incredible background in technology, ministry, and administration from Emory and Henry University, where he has served as the Technical Director for the McGlothin Center for the Arts. Will received an MFA in Drama: Technical Direction from the University of Virginia; an MA in Communication: Theatre Arts Studies from Regent University; and a BA in Fine Arts: Music from King College. He and Amanda are longtime FPC members and active in children’s, student, adult, and mission programs, all while rearing their four children, Claire, Samuel, Lily, and David.

Organist

Robert J. Greene, Jr. holds degrees from Oberlin College Conservatory of Music and from Colgate Rochester Divinity School. He has practiced professional music ministry via A Christian Ministry in the National Parks, the Board of Foreign Missions of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Mexico, and has served as music director and organist for congregations in New York, Florida, and Virginia. Mr. Greene’s numerous compositions include art songs, congregational hymns, choral anthems for adults and children, and handbell compositions.

Choir Director

Pat Flannagan retired from King University in 2020, having served for 38 years as a professor of Music. Flannagan holds degrees from King College, Westminster Choir College, and a Ph.D. in Musicology from The Catholic University of America. Flannagan sang and studied with some of the outstanding conductors of the 20th century including Robert Shaw, Leonard Bernstein, and Seji Ozawa.

Dr. Flannagan is the founding conductor of the Voices of the Mountains, a regional choir associated with The Symphony of the Mountains. In April of 2019, Flannagan hosted Tim Sharp for a performance of Tim’s Bluegrass Mass: Come Away to the Skies with the King University Symphonic Choir and the Sanctuary Choir from First Presbyterian Church of Bristol, TN.

Children’s Music Minister

“I am honored to be part of the staff at First Presbyterian Church. Worshiping our Heavenly Father through His gift of music has consistently been a way I have experienced the awesomeness of God’s presence. I believe that a children’s music ministry can plant resilient seeds of faith. This ministry is invaluable for teaching God’s truth and fostering the love of Jesus Christ. Each of us is uniquely talented. I want to share with our children how music can be an amazing way to experience and share God’s abundant love.”

Church Sexton

Becky has been employed with First Presbyterian since 2016. Her environmental services experience spans 20 years with time spent in the public schools as well as churches. Becky loves gardening and spending time with her family especially her grandchildren.

“Kitchen Queen”

Ably assisted by a team of committed volunteers, Sarah Gannaway plans and prepares FPC’s Wednesday night meal. Sarah believes that good food is an essential part of warm hospitality. She learned to cook by watching her grandmother, mother, and aunts prepare food for their colossal extended family, and they modeled to her that food can be flavorful without being fussy. Sarah is a cradle Presbyterian and her baptism and marriage ceremonies were performed by her grandfather, a Presbyterian pastor. She lives in Bristol near a slice of that colossal extended family.

Nursery Coordinator

Rachael and her family; Jerry (Husband); Davita (daughter); David (son); and Damita (daughter) from Waco, Texas, and originally from Kaduna State, Nigeria.
Rachael serves as the Nursery Coordinator here at First Pres.
Rachael graduated from Kaduna State Public Service Institute with - National Diploma in Public Administration.
Master of Arts in Christian Education – The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY.