About the Church

First Presbyterian Church Kirkwood Staff

		Rev. Dr. David Holyan Pastor David Holyan grew up in the Seattle area and attended Seattle University, graduating in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies. After a career in Financial Management and Technical Sales, David felt a call to the ministry. He received a Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary in June 1998. David's first call was as pastor of the Sligo (PA) Presbyterian Church in 1998. He served this rural congregation for three years. In September 2001 David became Associate Pastor at Rolling Bay Presbyterian on Bainbridge Island, Washington. David earned the Doctor of Ministry degree in Christian Spirituality from Columbia Theological Seminary in May 2006 and became Pastor of First Pres, Kirkwood March 1, 2007. He serves as a member of the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance National Response Team. David is currently pursuing (part-time) a PhD in Theology at the University of Exeter (UK). His research project explores the drama of the pastoral interpretation of the gospel. David is a member of the Society for the Study of Theology.

		Rev. Dr. Karen Blanchard Associate Pastor Karen was born in New York City and grew up in Connecticut. She received her B.A. from The College of Wooster (including a semester studying at New College Divinity School in Edinburgh) and then attended Boston University School of Theology where she received her Masters of Divinity degree. She first served at Second Presbyterian Church in the Central West End of St. Louis. She then attended Eden Seminary and received a Doctor of Ministry Degree in 1990. She served as Pastor of Pacific (Missouri) Presbyterian Church for nearly eight years before coming to First Pres in 1999. Karen is married to Scott Martin, a fellow Wooster grad, who is a commercial real estate broker. They are the parents of two highschoolers. At First Pres, Karen works with the Deacons, the Committee on Congregational Nurture, Adult Education, Stephen Ministers and helping to lead or create small groups. Within the larger church, Karen serves on the Committee on Ministry and the Board of Care and Counseling. She also spends time enjoying her love of reading, travel, and gardening.

		Stephanie Knopf Lay Pastor for Visitation Stephanie is a native Texan, growing up in the Dallas area. She has lived in Missouri for a long time and graduated from William Woods University in Fulton, MO, with a degree in special education and business. After ten years in the business world, Stephanie served Southminster Presbyterian Church in Crestwood, MO, as the Director of Mother's Day Out for five years, then as Minister of Christian Education for ten years coordinating the educational programs, leading worship, preaching and providing pastoral care. During this time Stephanie decided to attend Eden Theological Seminary and received a Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies with areas of concentration in pastoral care and biblical studies. Following seminary she competed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education and became a hospital chaplain. She serves as the Vice Moderator of the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy and as the Dean of the Commissioned Lay Pastor Program. At First Pres Stephanie's main responsibility is to offer pastoral care for members who are unable to attend church on a regular basis. Stephanie is married to Glenn and has two grown children.

		Bill Stein Director of Music Ministries Bill Stein was raised in German Valley, a small town in northern Illinois. He received degrees in Organ Performance and Sacred Music from Illinois Wesleyan University and Northwestern University. Bill has completed several choir tours of Europe serving as both organist and choral director, performing throughout Italy, Austria, Germany, France, and Ireland. Bill enjoys serving First Presbyterian Church and working with young, old, and everyone in between! He lives in the Tower Grove south neighborhood of Saint Louis, and also serves on the Executive Board of the St. Louis Chapter, American Guild of Organists.

		Beth Dillender Director of Hospitality, Welcome and Operations Beth joins the church after a successful career in the private sector working in the areas of marketing and finance. She and her husband Robb, as well as their daughter Isabella, live in Kirkwood. After attending SLU, she went to Webster University for Masters degrees in Marketing and International Business before working for five years for a national electronics and telecommunications supplier. At First Pres, Beth works in the areas of hospitality, welcome, fellowship and new member assimilation.

		Gayle Taylor Director of Children and Family Ministries Gayle Taylor has served in Children and Family Ministries since 1983. Her description of her position is "creative planning for and participating in all varieties of ministry with kids." She is a longtime member of First Presbyterian and has four grown children and five grandchildren. In her leisure time, Gayle enjoys walking, reading and having fun with her family.

		Rob Monroe Director of Youth Ministries and Mission Our new Director of Youth Ministries and Mission works with, resource, coordinate and equip youth, volunteers and parents for faithfully living out the good news of Jesus Christ in their lives. Rob also works with our Micah 6 Adult Mission Committee to coordinate the mission projects of the church and solicit greater involvement and support for mission projects both near and far.

		Deb Pascal Director of First Presbyterian Church Children's Center Deb has been with the First Pres Preschool Program since fall of 1995. She has been the Director of the Preschool and Kids' Day Out Program (now Children's Center) since June of 2002. She and her husband, Tom, have two children. They reside in Kirkwood