First Pres Staff

If you have questions for someone on staff, feel free to email them directly (access their email by clicking on their picture) or

call our church office (970-242-1923) to speak with them directly.  Our Financial Manager can be reached by calling the church office only.

  • tom hansen

    senior Pastor

    God has blessed my family with two wonderful congregations since 1991.  I served in Lewiston, Idaho prior to my 2005 arrival in GJ.  I grew up in Southern Cal and went to seminary in Princeton, NJ.  Of all the places I've lived, Colorado is beyond comparison - providing endless beauty and adventure.  Shelly and I met on summer staff at Forest Home (a Christian camp in the mountains of So Cal) and have been married since 1989.  Our four kids are married and we are enjoying the gift of grandchildren as well.  When our youngest son went off to college we became foster parents from 2018-2020. We currently provide respite care for foster families.  We love to hike, dabble in home improvement projects, read, play card & board games, and hang out with family and friends.  As a pastor, I love to come alongside people (wherever they are in their faith journey), provide a place for safe and honest conversations, and help them connect deeply with God, others, needed resources, and themselves.  I have learned much since 2015 (along with many in our church family) about what it means to practice a more emotionally healthy spirituality, and imagine that will continue for years to come.

  • janet young

    Executive director of church-wide & children's ministries

    My husband, John, and I were married in 1983. We began attending First Pres in 1997. In 2005, I accepted a part-time assignment as the Director of Children’s Ministry.  In the years following that initial assignment, my position and responsibilities have grown and I am now the Executive Director of Church-wide and Children’s Ministries. John and I raised two children at First Pres. We know the exhilaration and exhaustion of raising children.  We know that children need spiritual nurture both at home and in the midst of a loving church family. I love the time I spend with children, as they learn to love and follow Jesus.  I love the time I spend with their parents and families. Learning and growing in faith together is always an amazing adventure!

  • DAVID SHERMAN

    director of MUSIC & WORSHIP ARTS

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  • debe colby

    director of outreach & mission

    I have lived in Grand Junction since 1989 and consider this the most community-minded city I have ever been.  My late husband and I moved here after retiring from our careers at IBM.  I've been at First Pres since 1990 and have worked on staff as Director of Outreach since 2010.  Working with our congregation to reach out and show the love of Christ is an honor that God has given me.  If you have a heart for reaching out to people who have needs, including the need to hear about Jesus, I invite you to contact me either by phone or email.

  • charity finnigsmier

    Director of senior adult ministry

    I have been the Director of Senior Adult Ministries at First Presbyterian Church for 3 years. I am married and have two wonderful boys. For as long as I can remember I have worked or volunteered with senior adults and enjoyed every minute of it. The Senior Adult Ministry offers several opportunities for fellowship, growth in faith and service to others. Please visit the SAM ministry page to see where you can get involved and meet others.

  • SARAH QUEEN

    Director of student ministries

    I grew up in Grand Junction, then moved away for about six years during college and after. I am married to my high school sweetheart and we have three children. My husband and I own and operate a couple businesses in the community. We have been attending First Pres since 2008. I have always loved working with youth and youth ministry was an important part of my teen years. I began volunteering with the youth at First Pres several years ago and then began working as the interim Director of Student Ministries in March 2021. I accepted the position in January 2022. You can find our family on sports fields and courts for soccer, basketball, and football.

  • josh james

    contemporary worship leader

    I am a Grand Junction native.  I have led or been a part of a few different worship teams around the valley.  I enjoy writing music and being involved in theatre.  I have written many plays for children and wrote and directed A Christmas Carol: A Musical  that was presented in December of 2019.  When not performing or directing, I spend time with my wife and two children.

  • cHRIS carter

    office manager

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  • martha james

    financial manager

    We moved to the Grand Valley in 2006, and soon became part of the First Pres family.  In 2010, I started working part-time on staff as the Financial Manager.

  • angeline norman

    worship planning Manager

    I joined the staff in 2018 and have the wonderful privilege of working alongside the Worship Staff keeping track of all the little details that go into preparing weekly worship services at First Presbyterian Church. An added bonus is getting to know our wonderful volunteers. When not at work, I love spending time with family, reading and playing tennis.

  • Gene king

    facilities manager

    I am Gene King, the current Lead Custodian/Grounds/Facilities Manager here at First Presbyterian Church. My wife Susan, our two son’s Joshua and Aaron and I have been a members of First Pres. for 30+ years. I have been fortunate enough to be the Lead Custodian/Grounds person for First Pres. for 16+ years. Recently my position changed to Lead Custodian/Grounds and Facilities Manager, my current position is integral to the maintenance and cleanliness of the church/Grounds/ Facility of First Presbyterian Church. Please feel free to ask me about my staff position as it does encompass other duties.

  • tasha haley

    children's ministry assistant

    I am a wife and mother of 2 teenagers. I love to hang with kids and find fun ways to teach them about Jesus while learning alongside them. I coordinate and help teach GRACE Place while also leading the Wednesday Night Live programming.  I am around all summer to help with Sport Camp, VBS and Wacky Wednesdays! Kids bring me joy! When not at church you can find me hanging with my family, hiking/running and cleaning people’s teeth! I have attended FPC for most of my life and am pleased to be a part of this staff!

  • tom verdieck

    custodian

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