Staff and Volunteers
Pastor
Our congregation is currently in a season of transition following Pastor Kimby Young’s retirement. We are prayerfully seeking the person God is calling to serve as our next pastor. Please check back for updates.
Office Administrator – Jodi Dodds
Jodi was raised in Gardner, Ks. She has 3 children and 1 grandchild. Jodi brings 20+ years of experience in office administration with her to First Presbyterian Church along with a strong foundation of compassion, organization, and the heart for service. Jodi’s goal is to create a welcoming and organized environment that supports ministry, staff, congregation and community. She doesn’t know a stranger, loves her community and is super thankful for this opportunity to serve it. Jodi loves being a grandma and spending time with her kids.
Music Director – Dean Faulk
Dean has been serving at First Presbyterian Church of Gardner since 2017. A lifelong Presbyterian and singer, Dean has led a variety of music ensembles. He enjoys a wide spectrum of music and introduces variety into the congregation. His heart is for praising Jesus and encouraging others to sing and make a joyful noise to the Lord.
Organist – Harlan Plunkett
Harlan was raised in rural Southwest Kansas on a farm. He attended MidAmerica Nazarene University
(MNU) in Olathe KS in the 1980’s graduating with a BA in business. He has worked for MNU full-time since 1990 in the Financial Aid Office. He currently is the Associate Director of Operations. He also delivers flowers for HyVee part-time for fun. He began music lessons with his mother when he was three years old learning to read music before reading or writing. Harlan studied Piano throughout the K-12 years with a local Piano teacher. In college he began private organ lessons with a concert organist in Kansas City, MO who became a dear friend and long-time mentor. At age 8 he played in a small local church for the first time and soon began to play regularly for the church services because there was no one else to play. With few interruptions he has served as an organist for various churches since.
Harlan has two daughters, Audrey, a junior at UMKC double majoring in Physics and Math, and Devan who is a Senior at Olathe North High School. Harlan loves being a Dad. Hobbies include travel, photography, and cooking.
Organist – Alice Rollf
Alice retired after playing for this congregation for over 40 years. She is our substitute and back up organist. She makes music to praise God and encourage others. Alice and her husband Wayne raised their children in this church and support the work of the church in many ways. Alice teaches Adult Bible Study regularly and participates in the women’s organization. Outside the church Alice is very active in the community, serving to help others in numerous ways.
Pianist – Robyn Forkner
Robyn was born and raised in Kearney, Nebraska and has enjoyed participating in church music ministries throughout her life. Her full-time career as a funeral director began in 1991 in Seattle, WA, and in 2004 she relocated to Kansas when she accepted a position as a Director with Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home in Olathe. Robyn is married to John Forkner, and they reside in Spring Hill. She is glad to have found a church family in First Presbyterian Church of Gardner and feels blessed to be able to share the gift of music with others.
Youth Directors – Dave and Cindy Rollf
Dave and Cindy Rollf have been leading the youth group at FPC since 1995. They live in Gardner with their two children, Nalleli and Jon, but consider all the teens to be their kids as well. They love spending time with the youth and guiding them through the trials that come along with growing up and helping them discover how their faith in Jesus can be a foundation for a great future. They enjoy leading the group as they live out their faith here at home and as they travel across the country on mission trips. Dave is a police officer for the City of Gardner and Cindy works at Oakbrook Animal Hospital as a veterinary technician in addition to helping run the JOY Closet – thrift store ministry of FPC.
Children’s Ministry Coordinator – Zayda Bruss
Zayda is currently at JCCC working toward her degree in elementary teaching. She has been involved at FPC from her youth days in PYF. She is also active with the church’s Young Adult Bible Study. Zayda’s hobbies include playing music, and crafting. Zayda is currently looking forward to all that she will get to help with as the Children’s Ministry director at First Presbyterian.
Building Superintendent – Phil Lenahan
Custodian – Garry Peacock
Treasurer – Wayne Rollf
Currently Serving Elders – The Session – 2026 – Clerk of Session, Ron Crabbs
Classes Class of 2026 Class of 2027 Class of 2028
Worship Karl Allen Seth Cooper Bob McVey
Discipleship Ginger Crist Mitch McSwane Patricia Pacey
Mission Lynn Moldrup Eric Gourley Tony Waites
Operations Larry Schick Dave Sinclair Devon Mason
Currently Serving Board of Deacons – 2026 – Kelly Johnson, Moderator
Class of 2026: Class of 2027: Class of 2028
Shana Devlin Teri Winegar Holly Applegarth
Kelly Johnson Julie Sutton Connie Neneman
Joseph Kioko Cathy Cochran Jo Neneman
Judy Mason Carl Frahme Alice Rollf
Sandy Nellor Susan Rushing Merle Schick