Staff
Rev. David Schell
Pastor
Rev. David Schell grew up in a small coal mining town in Pennsylvania in a Christian family. He attended a small liberal arts Christian college, worked for four summers during college at a United Methodist church camp, where he met his wife. David experienced several diverse Christian traditions before becoming a Presbyterian.
David has always been a student of the Bible, reading three chapters a day as a teen and winning several Bible quizzing competitions. His Bible classes at Huntington University in Indiana left him hungry for more, but his desire to become a pastor was not solidified until his positive experience in a Presbyterian church in Colorado Springs, Colorado. After college David worked as a middle school English teacher, and then worked for Google rating search engine results. After talking with friends and mentors, he decided to apply to the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary to become a pastor. David says he found it fun learning more about the Bible and uncovering new meaning in the texts. He earned a Master of Divinity degree there in 2018.
While in Pittsburgh, David completed Clinical Pastoral Education training at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Chaplaincy office and served as a seminary student pastor at two churches. Since 2018 he has been the solo Pastor, Head of Staff at a small PC (USA) church in Michigan. His parishioners say he is in his element when he tells obscure and interesting Bible stories and mines them for powerful, divinely inspired meaning that he hopes will challenge and inspire listeners to live life following Jesus even closer. David says, “I value inclusion, and I have worked hard to make the church I currently serve as inclusive as possible...to make church safe for people.” He is a member of the Racial Equity Cohort and a proponent of social justice issues in the Presbytery of Lake Michigan.
David is a writer and has regularly written articles for the local newspaper, Bible Study posts on Facebook, he authors a blog as well as newsletter articles. He and his wife Kristen are both interested in technology issues; he looks for creative ways to share faith-related insights.
David and Kristen are the parents of two boys, Ryan age 6 and Micah age 4.
We are currently looking for a new Christian Educator as Lori has left to pursue her calling at Soul Dig. If you are interested in applying, please contact us.
Christian Educator
(Vacant)
Wendy Treacher
Director of Music
Wendy Treacher grew up in Jackson’s 1st Presbyterian Church where she started singing in the Cherub Choir when she was in elementary school. She also started organ lessons here. She graduated from the Interlochen Arts Academy and received a Bachelor’s degree in Choral Music Education from Eastern Michigan University.
While Wendy was the choir director at Northwest High School she also was the music director for these Jackson churches: Immanuel Lutheran Church (20 years),
Brookside United Methodist Church (10 years) and Jackson First Presbyterian Church. Wendy loves praising God through music with handbells, singing, piano and organ!
She has been the director of Jackson’s community choir, The Jackson Chorale, for eighteen years and also is active as an adjudicator for the Michigan School Vocal Music Association. She has also been on the Board of the American Choral Director’s Association-Michigan and Central Division. In 1993 she was elected Vocal Music Teacher of the Year for the State of Michigan.
Wendy was born in the upper peninsula and is a Yooper at heart! She loves to spend time in the upper peninsula at the family cottage with her husband, Randy, and their Pomeranians and is the happy Grandma of 3-and-a-half-year-old Anna Treacher!
We are currently looking for a part-time Office Administrator. In the meantime, Natalie Schroeder is acting as Interim Office Administrator.
Natalie Schroeder,
Interim Office Administrator
Melissa moved to Jackson in 2013 from Georgia to work in the Toy House Baby Department and office. In 2014 with the retirement of the church bookkeeper at JFPC she joined the staff to take care of the day to day bookkeeping duties.
Melissa has two married daughters and her first grandchild, a boy, on the way in November.
Melissa Curtis
Bookkeeper
SESSION
The Session is the group of active ruling elders, elected by the congregation, who make decisions for the running of the church and serve as spiritual leaders of the congregation.
More info about Jen coming soon!
Jen Blackwell
Elder
Meredith Harvey
Elder
I serve on the Christian Education/Spiritual Formation Committee.
Other JFPC Involvement: I teach the teens and youth on Sunday mornings. I also like to give the Children's Message during the services. I have been involved with the youth music program in the past.
Community Involvement: I volunteer at my kids' school and enjoy attending local theater and community events. I work at Spring Arbor University in the Education Department and work with the students to become more involved in Jackson area schools and our church.
Hobbies/Activities: I enjoy reading, swimming, walking at the Falling Waters Trail, going to the movies and live theater.
Shelley Hirsch
Elder
I lead the Care of Members Committee and am excited to learn how I can make a positive difference in our church family!
Other JFPC Involvement: I have enjoyed singing in choirs here at JFPC since I was 10 yrs old! We used to put on musicals and even took one on tour to Tampa one summer! Recently I have enjoyed ringing with the hand bells! I am a soloist and occasionally sing for weddings and funerals.
Community Involvement: I volunteer with Love INC here in Jackson by helping people to obtain/renew their ID/drivers license. This has helped many to obtain jobs or housing which is very rewarding. I have prepped and served meals at the Interfaith Shelter with the youth group in the past.
Hobbies/Activities: In my spare time I enjoy traveling, spending time on the lake and playing games/cards. Quality time is my love language and I live for time with family and friends!
I serve as the Clerk of Session.
Other JFPC Involvement: Scouting. I am the Charter Organizational Representative. I am also an usher and a deacon.
Community Involvement: I am member of the State Employee Retirement Association, and the Civitan Service Club.
Russ Jacobson
Elder
Jane Jones
Elder
I am serving as the Kitchen Elder here at JFPC and I love it!! We plan a variety of fellowship opportunities on a regular basis that typically includes some form of a potluck--and who doesn't love a potluck?!? For example, the Spiritual Formation Elder and myself teamed up and we started a monthly get together called Food for Thought where we invite different community charity organizations to come in and share with us their mission while we are sharing a meal together. It's been so interesting to learn about all the good being done here in Jackson! We also have special dinner events to honor the start of Lent, The Last Supper of Jesus and the Disciples, a Summer fun cookout, Ice cream Socials, an Intergenerational Family Game Night, and many more!
Other JFPC Involvement: I have been singing in the choir for almost 30 years. My Dad (before he passed) and my daughter also sang in the choir, so we had three generations represented! Our music program here at JFPC is INCREDIBLE! We have local artists that come and share their gifts with us--violinists, flutists, acoustic guitarists, trumpeters, guest organists, piano duets--it's really special! We are always looking for new members to join us in the choir! I've also participate in many of the classes and other activities here at the church and I have truly enjoyed exploring my faith and the fellowship that is shared there.
Community Involvement: I love, love, LOVE spending time with my 2 grandsons! What a joy and a blessing they are!! I enjoy traveling with my husband and we bowl on a league together, which is fun. I also enjoy working in my flower gardens, crafting, and playing cards and games with my siblings and friends.
Chris Prokos
Elder
I lead the Marketing Committee for the church. Some people wince at the thought that we do marketing, but I see it as the opportunity to bring God’s word to people who are receptive and make them aware of a wonderful community where we are all finding ways to love and serve God , each other, and our neighbors in Jackson and beyond.
Other JFPC Involvement: I love music, so I sing in the adult choir and play in the Bell Choir. Occasionally I volunteer to prepare food and drink for coffee hour.
Community Involvement: I support a number of non-profits financially. I sing in the Jackson Chorale.
Hobbies/Activities: I knit and sew and love trying out new recipes for guests (Watch out!). Most of all, I love my daily walks with my pooch, a 10-year-old Wheaten Terrier mix.
Kurt Rudolph
Elder
I lead the Finance & Stewardship Committee. The Committee seeks to be good stewards of the funds provided by current and past members of the Church. The Committee works with the other committees of the Church to assist with budgets, track finances, and meet the various needs of the Church. The Committee’s focus is on utilizing the resources given to the Church in a manner that matches the mission of the Church. We also operate as the landlord to the Hive building next door, which benefits the Mission of the Church through Samaritas’ work with adoption services, foster care, and child & family services.
Other JFPC Involvement: I enjoy doing property projects to keep our costs down as much as possible. These might include installing a drinking fountain, keeping up the Memorial Garden courtyard, and miscellaneous other projects.
Community Involvement: I serve on the board of the Grand River Environmental Action Team (GREAT) performing river clearing, clean-up, and helping lead paddles. I serve on the Summit Township Recreation Planning Committee and the Summit Township Zoning Board of Appeals. I am also the Treasurer of the Golf View Hills Neighborhood Association.
Hobbies/Activities: I enjoy birdwatching, cycling, kayaking, and hiking.
John Vanderpool
Elder
I lead the Property Committee. The property committee oversees the overall operations of the facilities of the church: Minor maintenance of electrical & mechanical systems, working with contractors for internal & external services, coordinating with public agencies for inspections & certifications, helping coordinate volunteers for using of talents (friends of property), coordinating with other committees needs for property.
I gain knowledge of old and new systems that affect church building operations, so others may have a safe place to worship without worry, and listen to the concerns of the people.
Other JFPC Involvement: I enjoy ushering on Sunday, participating in men’s group spiritual (Bible) study twice a month, and being a lector on communion Sundays.
Just finding a friendly face and friend to chat with about anything. Attending / participating in spiritual formation activity.
Community Involvement: I have served on a city charter commission, and work with city commissioners on request in the Ward where I live. These days my volunteer time is consumed with serving JFPC as chair of property (I am semi-retired and still have a day job part time).
Hobbies/Activities: I ride a motorcycle for pleasure. It’s important to spend time with grandchildren (4) ages 2 to 26. Hang out and visit with friends.
John Williams
Elder
I lead the Personnel and Nominating Committee. We recruit and nominate members for service as elders and deacons each year as 3-year terms expire; prepare employment contracts for session approval; meet with the pastor on personnel issues; maintain/update employee job descriptions.
Other JFPC Involvement: Participate in Saturday Men’s Bible Study and other fellowship and volunteer activities.
Community Involvement: I serve on education and veteran’s committees and boards.
Hobbies/Activities: I am a retired Professor of Education at Spring Arbor University and still teach a few classes there. I am also a retired Air Force Officer and President of the Hillsdale County Veterans Hall of Valor.