Upcoming Preachers at FCC!

We have some wonderful, exciting ministers who are providing pulpit supply for us during the next couple of months. Below we have listed those ministers and provided a little bit of information about each of them!

Rev. Dr. Caitlin Simpson

Caitlin Simpson was ordained in 2015 at FCC Louisville into the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) as the first openly gay clergy in the Kentucky Region. Caitlin holds a PhD in Education and Social Change from Bellarmine University. She currently serves as the Director of Crisis Response at the Center for Women and Families. Specializing in trauma and intersectionality informed ministry, Caitlin spends her time working with traumatized communities and individuals as they seek healing. Caitlin served on staff at FCC both as an intern and associate minister. Caitlin and her wife, Courtney, are members of FCC Louisville. They are currently foster parents to a medically complex infant and loving parents to their dog and cat. Caitlin looks forward to spending Holy Week together with the congregation as we remember the life, sacrifice, and enduring love of Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Rev. Dean Phelps

Dean Phelps, Interim General Minister, began ministry with the Christian Church in Kentucky on May 1, 2019, but this is not his first hike down the regional ministry trail. Prior to coming home to Kentucky, Dean also served as interim regional minister with the Oklahoma and Central Rocky Mountain regions. He has also served in an associate role for Indiana and Georgia. He was born and raised in Maysville, Kentucky, and attended the University of Kentucky as a music major, focusing on voice and choral performance. An accomplished musician and recording artist, Dean incorporates music into every aspect of his ministry. He has released six CDs and received local and national recognition for his guitar playing. Dean has been married to Deb Phelps for over 30 years. A former science teacher, Deb is a founding pastor of DisciplesNet Church, and she currently serves as pastor to New Union Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Versailles.

Rev. Dr. Terry Minton

Terry Minton has a diverse background having spent 20 years in ministry leadership positions and more than 20 years in senior leadership roles in business. His passion for people and impacting lives has been the foundation of his leadership style and service both in ministry and business. Terry has a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Golden Gate Seminary. Much of his ministry activities occurred in Mississippi where he served as a senior pastor for 11 years. He also held positions as a student pastor and as a professor of religion for Baylor University School of Nursing. Terry’s business pursuits developed from the requests of church members to assist with employee leadership training and executive coaching. He eventually moved from the pulpit to the pew as he established himself as an effective leader in health care companies, from nursing home corporations to Humana Health Care. His most recent business role was Chief Operating Officer for a high complexity genetic testing lab in Louisville. Terry and his wife Lanie have been members at FCC since 2004. Over the years he has continued to speak at conferences and preach occasionally including here at FCC.

Sara Don Bailey

Sara Don Bailey is currently a student at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary and is studying for her M.Div as well as a Master’s in Marriage and Family therapy. Sara Don had the pleasure of serving as a student intern at First Christian Church 2019-2020. She is now the pastor at Newburg Christian Church here in Louisville! Sara Don's message in her ministry is always to affirm how loved you are by our enamored Creator and to encourage all of us to share that love with our all of neighbors. All means all!

Rev. Erin Wathen

Erin Wathen served as Senior Pastor at Foothills Christian Church in Phoenix, and Saint Andrew Christian Church in the Kansas City area, before moving back home to Kentucky. She now lives in Louisville and serves on the staff of Week of Compassion. She is a graduate of Transylvania University, Lexington Theological Seminary, and has a certification in Nonprofit Leadership from Rockhurst University. In addition to church leadership roles, Erin is also an author and speaker. Her most recent book, "Resist and Persist: Faith and the Fight for Equality," was a Publisher's Weekly Book of the Year in 2018, and an Indie Book Award Winner. You can find her new blog, "Home and Holler," at www.erinwathen.com. Erin and her husband, Jeremy, have two children and enjoy hiking, music, and travel... which will hopefully be possible again soon!

Rev. Julie Richardson

Julie Richardson is Vice President for Development at Pension Fund of the Christian Church. She has served congregations in Georgia and Kentucky (including First Christian!) during her 20-plus years in ministry. She has also served Lexington Theological Seminary (her alma mater, M.Div. 2002), Family Scholar House and Eastern Area Community Ministries, as well as the Christian Church in Indiana. Mostly, though, she loves hanging out with her daughter, Maddy, binging anything Dick Wolf produces, Marvel movies or British drama, and writing (www.someonestolemycoffee.com). She is also always on the hunt for excellent gluten free cookies, good coffee, and fine bourbon. Julie and Maddy are members at Beargrass Christian Church.