THOMAS UMPHREYS

Tom was born in Red Oak, Iowa and raised in Council Bluffs. He is married to Karen and they are parents of four children: Matthew, Timothy, Emily, and Jacob.

Tom is a licensed CPA and a shareholder in Dickinson and Clark CPAs, P.C.

He was baptized in February 1991 and has been a member since then. He is an elder and a member of Homebuilders Bible School Class, where he serves as teacher on a rotating basis. He also serves communion for shut-ins and gives communion and offering meditations at worship services. Tom sings in praise teams for the traditional services. He is elder advisor for the Worship ministries

MARK WELCH

Mark Welch was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, and raised in Clinton, Illinois. He and wife Linda have two sons: Joseph and Jacob.

He is a Territory Salesman at Dultmeier Sales headquartered in Omaha.

Mark was baptized at Riverlawn Christian Church, Wichita, Kansas in 1982, and transferred to FCC on August 11, 1985. He is an elder and active as the Bible Bowl Ministry leader, serves on the Communion Servers and Shut-Ins ministries, participates in communion table meditations, and is a member of the Homebuilders Bible School Class. He is elder advisor for Administration Ministries

ARIC YOCHUM

Aric was raised in Council Bluffs and graduated from Creighton University. He and his wife Heather have three children: Claire, Mason and Lilly.

He is a Senior Risk Operations Analyst at PayPal.

Aric was raised in St. John’s United Church of Christ, and was baptized at FCC on July 1, 2001. Aric helps teach the two-year-old Bible School class and is involved with his small group. He is elder advisor for Worship ministries.

LARRY ROYCE

Larry was reared in Buda, Illinois. He is married to Donelle and they are the parents of two grown children: Thomas and Kelli.

Larry works for Jim Hawk Truck Trailer in Council Bluffs.

He was immersed at First Christian in 1986. He works with high school students in Student Body, Street Hockey and Mexico Missions. Larry is involved with the following ministries: Greeter, Shut-Ins, Baptismal, Sound. He also works with the children and is a member of the CORP Bible School Class. He is elder advisor for Student ministries.

GEOFFREY SOMMERVILLE

Geof was born and raised in Aurora, Illinois. He is married to Karen and they have one grown son, Jamie, and have been richly blessed with three grandsons.

Geof is currently working for Sommerville Resources Inc., a general construction company. Geof also manages a drywall patch/handyman company, Readi-2-Serve, Inc.

He was baptized at Claim Street Baptist Church in Aurora, Illinois, in 1963 and transferred his membership to FCC in August 1995. Geof is active in the CORP Class, a Small Group leader, Shut-in Communion serving, and coordinating marriage celebration opportunities within Adult ministries. He is elder advisor in the eldership spiritual matters.

NATHAN TEIGLAND

Nathan was raised in Jewell, Iowa and graduated from Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. He and wife Andrea have two daughters: Anna and Clara. In his spare time, Nate enjoys spending time with his family.

He is employed as a Special Agent with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

He was immersed June 10, 1994 at Living Word Community Church in Jewell, Iowa. He moved to Council Bluffs in 1997 and has been a member of FCC since his transfer in 1998. Nate has been active in serving and participating in a variety of roles and activities at FCC. He is a member of a small group Bible study, and a teacher in the 1st-5th grade Kidmo Bible School program. He is elder advisor for Administration ministries.

TERRY BAHL

Terry Bahl was born in Spirit Lake, Iowa and grew up on a farm near Lake Park, Iowa. Terry is married to Kay and they have two married children, Jeremy and Allison. They are also grandparents of one grandson and one granddaughter. He enjoys cycling, RAGBRAI, and going to his small group.

He works for Farm Service of Council Bluffs.

Terry was immersed at FCC in November of 2001. He is on the Small Group Ministry leadership team, does offertory and communion meditations, rocks babies in the nursery on Sunday morning and attends Friday morning Master’s Men. He is elder advisor for the Executive Team.

ROBERT BARNEY

Bob Barney was raised on a farm near Bradshaw, Nebraska. He and his wife Joyce have two grown children, Scott and Jill and one granddaughter. Bob enjoys volunteering at Risen Son Christian Village.

Bob has taught in the Lewis Central Community Schools for over 30 years. He teaches middle school special education, sponsors Fellowship of Christian Athletes group, and coaches 8th grade boys basketball.

Bob was immersed in 1986 at First Christian Church and has been a member of FCC for over 20 years. He serves on the Missions and Fellowship ministries, is leader of a Master’s Men group, teaches a Bible School class for 3-year-olds, and is a small group host/leader. He is elder advisor for Adult ministries.

STANLEY BECKNER

Stan Beckner was raised in Council Bluffs. He is married to Oline. Stan and Oline have one grown son Matt, who is Children’s Minister at FCC; and two granddaughters. Stan enjoys yard work, training gun dogs and hunting.

Stan is Director of Operations at AmSan.

He was immersed in June of 1975 at First Christian Church and has been a member since that time. Stan is active in many different facets and ministries of FCC. He is a member of the JOY Bible School Class, is involved in the Children’s ministries, Greeter Ministry and communion table meditations and is Chairman of the Elders. He is elder advisor for the Executive Team.

PAUL BEEKHUIZEN

Paul grew up in Orange City, Iowa and graduated from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. He and his wife Heather have two children: Norah and Kyle. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, cooking, and working around the house.

Paul is a Postal Inspector out of the Omaha office of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

He was baptized in his grade school years at the Okoboji Bible Conference. Paul has lived in Council Bluffs since 1998 and has attended FCC since then. He placed his membership at FCC on August 22, 2004. Paul is active in many church activities including the Greeter Ministry, Children’s ministries and small group. He is elder advisor for Adult ministries.

ROBERT DEPEW

Bob Depew was born in Marshalltown and raised in Tama, Iowa. His family moved to Council Bluffs in 1952. He and his wife Luanne have three grown children: Faith, Rachele, and Dianne. Bob enjoys learning about life from his seven grandchildren. As a legally blind person, Bob is now finding new ways to serve Christ.

Bob is retired from Sears.

He was immersed on February 11, 1968, at First Christian Church. Bob is an elder, teaches each Sunday for the Nursing Home Ministry, is involved in Missions Ministry and participates in a small group.

RON DICKINSON

Ron Dickinson was born in Omaha and raised in Marquette, Nebraska. He and his wife Beverly met at FCC. They have three children: Matthew, Philip and Andrew. Philip and Andrew were adopted from South Korea.

Ron is a licensed CPA, Certified Financial Planner and a partner in the firm Dickinson and Clark CPAs, P.C.

He was raised Presbyterian and was baptized at FCC on August 10, 1986. Ron is Vice Chairman of the Elders. He is elder advisor for the Executive Team.

ROD FERRY

Rod Ferry was born in Carroll, Iowa, and raised in Irwin, Iowa. He and his wife Joan have one grown son, Adam. Rod enjoys gardening, cooking, and reading.

Rod is a Graphics Manager for Dex Media.

He was immersed at Irwin Church of Christ on August 11, 1959, and transferred his membership to First Christian Church in 1993. Rod is involved in Master’s Men and leads our Pictorial Directory Ministry. He is elder advisor for Senior Adult ministries.

RICHARD LEEPER

Dick Leeper was born and raised in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He and his wife Carol have two grown children; Traci and Shelly, and four grandchildren. He enjoys going to Roosevelt School to read to the students.

He is a retired salesman in a multi-state area for the Stanley Works.

Dick has been a Christian since his baptism at First Christian Church, at age 9, on April 9, 1944. He is an elder, teaches for the Nursing Home Ministry, of which he is ministry leader. He is also involved with the Communion Set-Up Ministry; and sings with the Rock of Agers choir. He is elder advisor for Children’s ministries.

TODD PETTEPIER

Todd was raised in Council Bluffs and is a graduate of the University of Iowa. Todd and his wife, Deb, lived in the Des Moines area for seven years. They have five children: Zachary, Nathan, McKenzie, McKaylee and McKenna. Most of Todd’s free time is spent enjoying his children and their many activities.

Todd is a Software Engineer at Priority Technologies, Inc.

Todd was immersed in May of 1986 at First Christian Church. He has been a member of FCC since his family returned to live in Council Bluffs in 1997. Todd is active in Children’s and Student ministries. He is an elder advisor for Children’s ministries.