PASTORAL, PROGRAM & ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

 

The Rev. Samuel Weddington

Senior Pastor and Head of Staff

The Rev. Sam Weddington will join the staff and 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. Currently he is pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, while already holding a Master of Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Master of Divinity from Union Presbyterian Seminary. Sam has deep family connections to the Bristol and Abingdon areas.

Betsy Galliher

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. Early in her career, Betsy first served FPC for four years, then worked for the Bristol Chamber of Commerce. She 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 and son Pearce. Sarah is married to Chris Newton, and Pearce is a captain in the US Army.

Robert J. Greene Jr.

Organist

Bob Greene holds degrees from Oberlin College Conservatory of Music and Colgate Rochester Divinity School. He has served as music director and organist for congregations in Florida, New York, Tennessee, and Virginia. His musical compositions include art songs, congregational hymns, choral anthems for adults and children, handbell compositions, church musicals, solo organ pieces, chamber music, electronic music, contemporary Christian music, and a major cantata, The Seven Last Words, based on the passion of Christ. He has received awards and commissions for his instrumental and choral compositions, and he is published by MorningStar Music and Saint James Music Press. Bob joined our staff June 1, 2017. He lives in Bristol, Virginia.

The Rev. Dr. Dave Welch

Minister for Discipleship

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. Dave also serves our community as a member of the Bristol Tennessee Board of Education. He and his wife, Linda, have been married since 1987. He and Linda share experience in youth and college-age ministries. They have three children, Kathryn, Abigail, and Stephen.

Lilly Osborne

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.

Chris Bingham

Director of Traditional Worship

Chris Bingham joined our staff in June of 2019 as Director of Traditional Worship. He has a background that includes professional vocal performance with major musical organizations on the west coast and holds the Master of Music degree in Choral Music from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. He has extensive experience in conducting which includes a choral performance of the National Anthem at a MLB game in 2015. Chris’ music ministry has taken him throughout the San Diego region, Los Angeles, and Southern Oregon and includes many major denominations. Chris believes in the power of choral music to draw us to a closer relationship with Jesus and works to enhance the worship experience through the development of musical ministries. Chris enjoys being in nature and eating good food with his wife Hannah and daughter Lola.

Katie Arnold

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 more recently earned an MA in Family Ministry from Bethel Seminary. She has been married to Brad, a native of Bristol, Virginia, since 2007. They have one child, Brady Thomas.

Larry Connolly

Facilities Manager

Larry joined our staff in April 2015 to oversee the custodial services, coordinate work by outside contractors, and fulfill items on our comprehensive Preventive Maintenance Plan. This is a big job for a big campus, and we are delighted to have his eyes and expertise.

Scottie Bales

Financial Assistant

Scottie joined our staff September 1, 2016, taking charge of creating wonderful menus for a wide range of events and preparing food for groups of all sizes. In addition to these responsibilities Scottie is now working in the main office as the Financial Assistant to the Business Administrator.

The Rev. Jerry Swam Sidi

Worship Director Contemporary Service

We welcome Jeremiah Swam Sidi (Jerry) and his family; Rachael (wife); Davita (daughter); David (son); and Damita (daughter) from Waco, Texas but originally from Kaduna State, Nigeria.

Jerry will be serving in two roles as the Director of Contemporary Worship here at First Pres and the Campus Ministry Coordinator at King University. He brings a wealth of experience as he pursues his Doctorate.

Jerry has a Bachelor of Art in Theology (Pastoral Studies) from Jos ECWA Theological Seminary, Nigeria. Master of Theology ThM. Missiology – Presbyterian University and Theological Seminary Seoul, South Korea. (Master of Christian Ministry) MACM from Baylor University Waco, TX.

He is currently working on his Doctorate at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY.

Justin Miller

Pastoral Resident

We welcome the newest staff member, Justin Miller. The Pastoral Resident program is our church’s two-year, part-time mentoring program in which we walk and work with a candidate as they move toward ordination in the Presbyterian Church USA. Justin comes from Arden, NC where he has served as the Family and Worship minister. He is a graduate of Emmanuel Seminary.