Staff
Rev. Chase Peeples, Minister
Chase passionately believes that the church should be an open-minded and inclusive community that welcomes and serves all people.  You can read his sermons here on the First Christian site and also find out what else is on his mind at his blog. He grew up in the Kansas City area but moved to the east coast in high school. He came to St. Joseph in January 2007 and is excited about being back in the midwest. He is a graduate of Carson-Newman College and the Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond. After seminary, Chase spent three years pursuing a Ph.D. in New Testament at Emory University but left his academic dreams behind after realizing that serving in a local church really was the best way for him to make a difference in the world. In his career, Chase has served churches in New York, Virginia and Tennessee. He holds ministerial standing in the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ and the United Church of Christ.  Chase’s commitment to the St. Joseph Community takes many forms; he currently serves or has served on the executive board of Faith in Action Volunteer Caregivers, the executive board of InterServ, the advisory board of Legal Aid of Western Missouri, St. Joseph office,, and the Friends of the St. Joseph Library board. He has also taught as an adjunct instructor at Missouri Western State University. Chase and his wife, Jennifer, have two sons Julian and Jameson.
Cheryl Luke, Administrative Assistant
When you call the church office, you will probably hear the cheery voice of Cheryl answer the call. She keeps our church office organized and running smoothly. She grew up on a farm near Conception Junction and graduated from Jefferson High School. She has worked at KQ-2 TV, in their accounting, advertising and programming departments, followed by ten years in real estate administrative work. Most recently, she worked in the mortgage and banking industry before coming to work at First Christian Church. Cheryl has four children and two grandchildren.
Andrew Kar, Director of Youth Ministries
Andrew was was raised Catholic in southeastern Michigan. He and Beth met in college where Andrew earned his Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology. He likes to say that he found God again at his wedding to Beth. Andrew grew fascinated with the depth of theology books available and became active in church. He has been a religious educator and youth ministry volunteer for almost ten years. In 2001, Andrew and Beth moved to St. Joseph to be near her family who had retired here. Andrew has worked as an information technology professional and is attending Central Baptist Theological Seminary. He and Beth have a 5 year old son, Benjamin.
Rev. Suzanne Shay, Director of Children’s Ministries
Suzanne Shay was born the third of four children in rural northeastern Pennsylvania. Her family was very involved in the American Baptist Church on local, state and national levels. As a freshman in high school she and her family moved to Cameron, Missouri, where they joined First Christian Church. Suzanne attended Missouri Western State College (now University) and earned a BS in Psychology. She earned her Master of Divinity from Brite Divinity School, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas. She was ordained to Christian ministry August 27, 1989 at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Plattsburg, Missouri.Following ordination Suzanne has served as Associate Pastor, Minister of Christian Education and children and youth minister in congregations in the Mid America Region and The Christian Church of Greater Kansas City. In October 2007 she moved “back home” to St. Joseph.
Amber Welter, Director of Music
Amber brings a depth of talent to the music ministry of our church. Not only is she a first-rate vocalist but through her leadership our choir delivers beautiful and inspiring music each week. Amber grew up in the area and graduated from Missouri Western State University with a degree in Vocal Music Education with an emphasis in performance. Currently she is the choral director at Benton High School in St. Joseph. Before coming to First Christian, she served as music director at two other churches in the area.  Amber won numerous awards and competitions during her student days, and now she enjoys leading the Benton choirs to do the same in state music competitions.