Staff

Rev. Dr. Jim Farrer
Senior Pastor
jim@firstchurchofmesa.com

Since arriving at First Church in July of 2008, I have been having a great time serving in downtown Mesa. My approach to ministry focuses on involving as many people as possible in the ministries of the church. It is my goal to have the people of First Church involved in ministries in our community and world that make a real difference in people’s lives!

I love and embrace the United Methodist Church's vision of Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors and tend to see the word "open"as both an adjective describing who we are and as a verb calling us to action. It is my belief that the church should embody unconditional love and acceptance at its very core.

My educational background includes degrees from Indiana University, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary (at Northwestern University) and United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. I have three children and seven grandchildren scattered from Brooklyn to rural Indiana to Rapid City. My hobbies include reading, music and riding my 100th Anniversary Harley Davidson Heritage Classic.

Rev. Jeri Wilkerson
Associate Pastor and Director of Youth and Children's Ministries
jeri@firstchurchofmesa.com

First UMC of Mesa is my first appointment in the Desert Southwest Conference after graduating from Claremont School of Theology in May of 2008. Prior to entering the ministry I was a registered nurse and worked in several hospitals. In taking care of the living and dying, I developed a call to serve God through strengthening and caring for the Spiritual needs of people. I enjoy preaching and worship in my capacity as an Associate Pastor.

I am a mother of two wonderful children Thom and Mikayla. When I have free time, I like to participate in all kinds of art from attending the theatre to painting at home.

Jeff Harris
Music Director

Jeff Harris holds a Bachelor of Music degree (1977) and a Master of Music degree (1978) from Arizona State University where he studied under Dr. Douglas R. McEwen. Mr. Harris has continued his studies at ASU toward a Doctor of Music degree.

He is currently the Director of Choral Activities and Chairman of the Performing Arts Department at Westwood High School in Mesa, AZ. His is also the founding director of the Sonoran Desert Chorale. He has served as choral clinician and adjudicator for state music contests and area festivals. He is a past president of the Arizona Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association, and the Choral Section of the Arizona Music Educators Association. Mr. Harris' performance credits include solos on two recent recordings of the Veritas Chorale.

Jamie Webb
Children's Ministries Coordinator
cmc@firstchurchofmesa.com

I have been attending First Church for the last 10 years, serving the last 8 as Sunday school teacher for children grades K-3. In September 2011, my passion to help children build a strong foundation in their faith of loving Jesus Christ made it easy to answer the call to serve as Children's Ministry Coordinator. I have always felt driven to support family by helping our community's children grow and develop. Outside of church I have taught and developed preschool programs and summer camps, as well as teaching children to swim.

Married since 1995, my husband, Matthew and I have been honored with the blessing of three amazing children: Christian, Zarin and Allyson. We enjoy spending time together playing games and taking care of our 16 pets (3 dogs, 3 turtles, 3 bearded dragons, 4 hairless rats, 2 goldfish and 1 tarantula...I don't care for the last one!). Participating in children and youth activities and spending time at First Church has led it to become my family's "second home". We love it here!

Rev. Dr. Bob Mitchell
Associate Pastor
revbmitch@gmail.com

Twenty-two years ago I began my ministry in the United Methodist Church at 1st UMC, Mesa. Returning to Mesa First in retirement feels like coming home! I am delighted to be working half-time in the areas of Christian Education and Pastoral Care.

Since moving from Mesa First in 1992 I have served two congregations in Phoenix and one congregation in Chandler. I have also served on a variety of Conference Boards including Education, Congregational Development, Camping and Retreat Ministries, and Ordained Ministry. For eighteen of those twenty-two years my wife, Kathy, and I provided leadership for the Mingus Mountain Elementary Music Camp. I have twice taught the class "Vocational Discernment and Spiritual Formation" at The Claremont School of Theology's Phoenix Extension. I am currently serving as the Team Theologian for the Western Jurisdiction's Two-Year Academy for Spiritual Formation at the Mercy Center in Burlingame, California.

My wife, Kathy, and I were married on August 14, 1970, the summer before our senior year at Ashland College in Ohio. After graduating we moved to Mesa, Arizona, where Kathy taught beginning orchestra classes in the Mesa Public Schools and I completed my MA in Music Theory at ASU in 1974. Two years later I enrolled in the MDiv program at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. I graduated from Fuller in 1980 and was ordained an Elder in The Brethren Church on August 2, 1981. I served Brethren Churches in Indiana and Arizona for seven years. On July 1, 1988, I began my career in The United Methodist Church at First UMC Mesa. In the intervening years I completed doctoral programs at Fuller Theological Seminary (DMin, 1994) and Claremont School of Theology (PhD, 2007).

Kathy and I have two grown children--Nathan, is a professional musician living Tempe, Arizona, and Amy and her husband Steve are post-doctoral researchers at UC Irvine. Kathy insures time together by purchasing season tickets to The Arizona Opera and the Phoenix Symphony's Coffee Classics concert series.

Be sure to read our mission, vision and core values and come join us if even a bit of it resonates with you (or come join us even if none of it does!).

Also be sure to learn more about our history and read Pastor Jim's words of welcome.