Ray Larson comes with a wide variety of experience in the Presbyterian Church (USA). He began his life in the Presbyterian Church as an Inner City Youth Worker in Duluth, MN, in 1967 and then served a two-point parish (one only had 13 members) while attending seminary. After that he served a thriving “Redevelopment” congregation in his hometown for 15 years before spending his next 10 years as a Presbytery Executive and two Interims.

From there he served a large congregation in downtown Lincoln, NE and then back to MN to do New Church Development before coming to Davenport. Ray is married and has two daughters who are married and he is the grandfather of 4 grandchildren. One of Ray’s highlights in a career of 33 years since ordination has been the joy of seeing the significance of what effective Interim Ministry can do. He has found gifts needed for interim ministry are not necessarily those of a longer ministry. Often the interim pastor is called on to help the Session make tough decisions in the period of transition from one installed pastor to the next. This does not always lend itself to winning popularity contests but in the end people usually have the insight to see that difficult decisions are often the right decisions. Ray says, “This congregation is blessed with unusual resources of leadership, music, generosity and love. I look forward to helping set the table for the next installed pastor and having fun with a dedicated staff and congregation in doing that.”

The Reverend Pamela Henshell
Associate Pastor for Christian Education and Mission

Pamela’s call to First Presbyterian Church marked a return to a field of ministry by which she had long felt enamored. From her teenage years she had been interested in working with youth and Christian education, however, in seminary she was drawn to urban ministry. Her first call was to a ministry in Grand Rapids, Michigan where she worked among a population marked by poverty, homelessness, mental illness, addiction, and other challenges.

While pastoring in the inner city Pamela developed a passion for social justice and a commitment to openness and inclusion, and these are traits she brings with her to First Presbyterian’s youth and Christian education programs. Her vision is for the church to be a place where everyone feels welcome and where what they learn facilitates the growth of relationships with each other and with the world. Pamela has one husband, Andrew; one daughter, Simone; three cats; and about a zillion knitting projects in various stages of completion.

The Reverend Scott Minteer
Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care and Spiritual Development

Scott Minteer has been preaching at churches of various denominations since he was twelve. Over the years he has continued to grow, to question, and to develop his theological views. He graduated with a Master of Divinity from the Dubuque Theological Seminary in Dubuque, IA and is currently in charge of Pastoral Care, Spiritual Development and Congregational Development at First Church. Scott loves music, laughter, feasting and all things that involve communication. He has a strong love of spirituality and inclusiveness and has been a daily meditator for over a decade.

His spirituality emphasizes that a person must be nurtured intellectually, emotionally and socially to be whole and balanced. His pastoral experiences have lead him to preach and live a very practical and down-to- earth theology that can be integrated with life and he enourages people to get to get to know themselves better and to take responsibility for their spiritual journey. Parish Nurse Barb Yankey Parish Nurse Music Staff Steven R. Jobman Minister of Music Steve Jobman came to First Presbyterian Church as a full-time Minister of Music in August 1990. In this position he conducts and is artistic director for all eight singing choirs and four handbell choirs. Steve is responsible for starting the Performing Arts Series, the Chamber Chorale, the Cathedral Choir the Cecelian Carolers, and the four-in-hand handbell quartet. An anthem was commissioned from Mack Wilberg in honor of Steve's tenth anniversary at the church. Steve holds a Bachelor and Master Degree of Music from the University of Nebraska. Before coming to Davenport, he was Director of Music at First Presbyterian Church, Galesburg, Illinois. While there, he conducted the Carl Sandburg Children's Choir, which received many honors, including an invitation to sing for the Lighting of the National Christmas Tree in Washington. When Steve isn't working, he enjoys shopping and spoiling Tommy, his Tibetan Terrier. Steve Jobman with regular church visitor, his dog, Tommy. Ruth E. Baker Assistant Director of Music, Organist, and Wedding Administrator In October of 1999, Ruth E. Baker celebrated her 30th anniversary as organist of First Presbyterian Church. In July of the same year, she was appointed full-time Assistant Director of Music and Organist. Ruth E. earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Central College in Pella, Iowa. In addition to her role as church organist, she also maintains a full studio of piano and organ students. Ruth E. has four children, Dale, Wendy, Douglas, and Colin. When she has time, Ruth E. takes to the waterways in canoe and kayak. Administrative Staff Steve Hawk Business Manager Steven Hawk brings over 27 years of accounting and business experience to the FPC business office. Formerly employed by a General Motors area dealership as its Controller and Operations Manager, he has also worked as area accountant and customer service manager for Fidlar Companies, a payroll specialist under contract to Von Maur and Volt Management. That relationship took him to Deere and Company in payroll until the contract expired. Steve is a 1974 graduate of Blackhawk College and with a Bachelors to be awarded by Western Illinois University. His interest in religion and music led him to a fourteen year stint as a professional gospel singer traveling thought-out the midwest giving concerts with various gospel groups. Steve and his wife, Nancy, have two grown children, Jason, 24 and Sarah, 21. Steve is active in civic organizations in his hometown where he currently has been serving on the Erie school board for the last 14 years. He is also a Director of the Illinois Association of School Boards in Springfield, IL . Steve believes in an open door policy. At FPC, he values working with the entire staff as part of a committed team. Steve offers this message to the staff and congregation, "Please remember, my door is always open for questions, needs, or concerns. Together, we can do good things!" Diane Pumphrey Office & Communications Manager Diane joined the First Church staff in December of 2001 as the Communications Coordinator. She is responsible for the communications and management of the church office. This includes overseeing the production of Sunday bulletins and announcements, creation of the monthly newsletter, stewardship campaign materials, the annual report, advertising, press releases, and the website. She oversees the general church office, directs clerical staff and coordinates assignments. She is member of the Quad Cities PR Network and a board member of the North Scott Educational Foundation. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Marycrest College majoring in Computer Graphics. Diane Nauman Member Services Coordinator Barbara Young Administrative Assistant Barbara has been married to her husband, Ron for thirty-seven years. She is the mother of Jennifer, Ronda and Scott, and the grandmother of Erik, Victoria, Bailey, Morgan and Steffahn. She moved to the Quad-Cities with her husband and children on October 31, 1985, due to her husband’s job transfer with HyVee, Milan. Prior to that they lived in Omaha, NE, Tarkio, MO, and Des Moines, IA. Barbara has 20 years of office and office management experience, three years experience as a Realtor, five years as a mortgage loan originator, and three as a Regional Co-op Advertising Coordinator. Of her careers she enjoys the variety to be found in office work the most, and enjoys her work at First Presbyterian. She was a Top Sales Associate, Million Dollar Producer, and New Realtor of the year while in real estate; Top in Regional Sales during her career as a mortgage loan officer, and was recognized as a Lee Enterprises President’s Award Nominee for Regional Development. When she isn’t spending time with her family or at her church, she likes to write, read, sew, and watch HGTV. She loves to serve the Lord and is very involved in her church. She leads small group Bible studies, sings in the choir, participates in the women’s ministry, has taught Sunday School, and is a student at Calvary School of Ministries, studying toward a PhD in Divinity. Her community involvement includes serving as the Public Relations Chairperson for the Greater Davenport Board of Realtors, Public Relations Chairperson for the Omaha Chapter of Sweet Adelines International, Neighborhood Chairperson for the Atchinson County, MO Girl Scout Council, Brownie Troop Leader, Tarkio, MO, President of the Mule Barn Theatre Guild (professional summer stock theater), Tarkio, MO. She was the Copyeditor for The Torch of Tarkio College, and represented Atchison County, MO as Mrs. Atchison County in the Mrs. Missouri competition. Accounting Assistant Maintenance Staff Georgia Roberts Maintenance Manager David Spaulding Custodian Kevin Wilson Custodian Employee Reference Publications Click here to view the Personnel Policies & Procedures Manual . Acrobat Reader is needed to view this information. Top of Page

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