✢ ABOUT US ✢
Church Staff
The fine folks who keep the Church running.
Pastor Sarah West
Senior Pastor
Rev. Shelby Baxter-Andrews (she/her)
Associate Pastor and Director of Youth Ministries
Shelby has a Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Practical Theology from Columbia Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia.
Having been engaged in volunteer ministries from a young age, Shelby has developed a deep passion for journeying alongside people of all ages in pursuit of faith, inclusion, love, and grace. Her hobbies include gardening, cooking, reading, singing, and visual art. Originally from the Pensacola, Florida area, Shelby met her spouse, Patrick, in Atlanta while they were both in seminary. Shelby and Patrick live in Akron with their four cats and one dog.
Lisa Jones
Treasurer
Lisa and her husband Chris have been members of FCC Wadsworth since 1991. They have two adult sons and a couple of "grandcats!"
Lisa loves all things "numbers" and is also the Treasurer for the City of Wadsworth. She is involved in other community organizations and loves to read, knit and golf in her spare time. You also want her to be on your committees, because she loves to bake and bring the refreshments!
Kathy Johnson
Assistant Treasurer
Been a member of this church for 39 years, I like to walk in the morning, love to read and do crossword puzzles. My favorite vacations are going to the beach and listening to Josh Groban. Spending my retirement volunteering for Hospice which is a blessing to me and the patients I get to spend time with.
Donna Kronander
Office Manager / Organist
I have been playing piano since age 7 and the organ since age 13. Through the years I have accompanied elementary, middle school, and high school choirs, along with accompanying soloists for various events along with playing keyboard for local community theater companies. I have been the organist at FCC since 2002.
Upon graduation from Bowling Green State University I worked in the Internal Audit Department for a major real estate and retail company in Cleveland. My office duties began at FCC as the part time secretary in 2009 and then the Office Manager position opened up in 2013 so here I am!!!
Gary Oliver
Contemporary Music Leader
Gary has been with us since August of 2021. His primary duties are to serve as music worship leader in the Contemporary Service and to provide musical oversight for the Coffee and Connections worship service. Gary has been a part of the Wadsworth community since 2003. He’s played piano and led worship in church since he was thirteen. He has a large family with his wife, Anne, 5 boys, and 1 girl.
Anita Tenney
Anita has been employed with First Christian Church since 1994. She has 2 grown children who have given her 6 grandchildren. She is retired from Cleveland Clinic Emergency Department. She enjoys keeping busy, which she says, “Makes her job at FCC perfect for me.”
Keyshia Beverly
Director of Child and Family Ministries
Born and raised in Akron, Ohio, I grew up attending New Life Missionary Baptist Church with my late grandmother. I joined the U.S. Army in 2006 and finished my time in 2015 after two deployments to Iraq.
I have worked as a Children’s Ministry Leader and recently graduated with my Master’s Degree in Divinity with a concentration in Spiritual Formation.
I felt called to First Christian Church in June 2023, when I sat down with Pastor Sarah and the church committee. Everyone was so welcoming and the positive energy was amazing! I am beyond excited and blessed to direct the Children’s Ministry and to help bring and welcome new families to the church.
Bridget Tomblin
Secretary
Bridget has been employed with First Christian Church since January 2023 and graduated with a degree in Web/Design and Development in 2006 from ITT Tech. She has a dog, Rosie and a cat, Ellie. Bridget enjoys gardening, nature walks and puzzles in her spare time.