First Christian Church

Wayne Kent
lead pastor  wkent@firstdecatur.org
Born in Katoomba, Australia, Wayne moved to Vancouver, BC with his family at a young age. He and his amazing wife, Leslie, met while attending Oral Roberts University where he got a degree in business administration. Wayne also has his Master of Divinity from Phillips Graduate Seminary in Tulsa and obtained his Doctor of Ministry from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary in Boston. He has 2 wonderful kids, Jacqueline and Ben. If asked what heaven is like, Wayne is convinced there will be beaches where one can water ski or surf everyday.
 

Brian Talty
spiritual development pastor  btalty@firstdecatur.org
Brian was born in Cleveland, Ohio but can name various states as home. He graduated from Milligan College in beautiful Tennessee. Brian is married to his lovely wife, Jessica, and they have 3 awesome kiddos: Cole, Camden, and Case. On any given day, you can find any one of the following in Brian's hand: a golf club, coffee, or a book.
 

Jonathon Keck
pastoral ministries pastor  jkeck@firstdecatur.org 
Growing up in Decatur, Jon recently graduated with a Preaching degree from Lincoln Christian University with a minor in Biblical Studies & Theology. He is married to his lovely wife, Jeanelle, and has two precious little girls, Jami and Jordyn. In his spare time, Jon loves to curl up to a good book.
 

BJ Leonard
community missions pastor  bleonard@firstdecatur.org
BJ grew up in a small Iowa town before coming out to Lincoln, IL where he studied youth ministry and met a cute girl named Mary who later became his wife. BJ and Mary stayed after graduating and did outreach ministry while BJ pursued a Master of Divinity from Lincoln Christian Seminary and studied urban ministry at Fuller Theological Seminary.  BJ and Mary love traveling, being outdoors, and anything adventurous. Their latest news is the addition of their daughter, Hannah.
 

Mike Engelhardt
worship arts director  mengelhardt@firstdecatur.org
Mike returns to First after serving as the Vocal Director at Willow Creek Community Church and completing his Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville. Mike recently married the love of his life, Meg, and they are the proud parents of a cute little beagle named Boo.
 

Fred Saurmann
technology ministries director  fsaurmann@firstdecatur.org
Born in Decatur, Fred received his degree from Millikin University. While in college, he learned about staging, live audio and recording studio techniques. In his free time, he loves to play guitar, bass and drums and tinker around with vintage and hard to find gear. He is married to his lovely bride Melissa, and they have two gorgeous little girls, Ava and Amelia.
 

Josh Koskinen
student ministries pastor  jkoskinen@firstdecatur.org
Josh grew up in East Troy, Wisconsin. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies & Theology and Pastoral Leadership from Crossroads College. He married his high school sweetheart, Emily, and they have two amazing sons, Soren and Kelton. In his spare time, Josh enjoys sports, reading, and spending time with friends.

Lori Putnam
children's ministry director  lputnam@firstdecatur.org
Lori was born and raised in Robinson, IL. She has a bachelors from Indiana State University and a Masters from Southern Illinois University. (Go Salukis!) Lori is married to her dear husband, Mark. When not working, she loves to release her inner diva through karaoke. You go, girl!
 

Janie Kane
F4 director (kindergarten-5th grade)  jkane@firstdecatur.org
Janie is a Decaturite from the heart. She only left to earn her Bachelors from Southern Illinois University and Masters from the University of Illinois. She loves her husband, Brad (of almost 20 years!), sons Brandon and Cooper, and all of her F4 kids and volunteers very much! When not having a blast at First, you can find Janie at home reading or playing in the neighborhood.

Pam Jones
discovery zone director (birth-preK)  pjones@firstdecatur.org
Pam went to Richland Community College and Decatur School of Practical Nursing in which she has an Associates Degree in Science and is an LPN. She and her wonderful husband, Don, have three sons. Pam loves spending time with her “adopted” grandchildren, reading good fiction love stories, and sitting on the beach in Florida.
 

Crystal Kirkman
communications director  ckirkman@firstdecatur.org
¡Hola!  Born in Decatur but roots going back to Quito, Ecuador, Crystal enjoys traveling to the motherland and to Europe and hiking. She has a Bachelors in Finance from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. (Go Illini!!!) She is married to her wonderful husband, Tony, and has two adorable sons, Isaac and Christopher.
 

Lane Ransdell
business administrator  lransdell@firstdecatur.org
Lane is a native of Moline. He has a Bachelors in both Economics and Accounting from Western Illinois University and attended Lincoln Christian Seminary. He is married to his lovely wife, Dana, and has a son, Daniel. This bass fisherman has caught a 6.5 lb bass before here in Central Illinois.  Wow!
 

Peggy Anderson
secretary  panderson@firstdecatur.org
Peggy was born in Litchfield but grew up in Hettick. She graduated from Northwestern High School and attended Illinois State University. She has three kids and four precious little grandkids. When not working, she likes to read, craft, and visit with friends.
 

Pam Guymon
receptionist  pguymon@firstdecatur.org
A proud Decaturite, Pam has been happily married to her awesome husband John for 30 years. They have been blessed with three kids and two fabulous, darling, wonderful grandchildren (A grandma's description!). She loves living out in the country with all the wildlife, hot dog roasts, and boating in the summer with the entire family.
 

Carol Smith
parish nurse  csmith@firstdecatur.org
Born in Florida but raised in Decatur, Carol received her BSN from Millikin University and MS from the U of I Chicago. She is the Community Parish Nurse Coordinator for the Decatur Memorial Foundation and works as a Certified Wound Nurse at DMH. Carol is married to her dear husband Sam and has two special great-grandsons.