STAFF

Rev. Dr. Leslie King began her service to First Presbyterian Church of Waco in 2012.

She received her BA from Kansas University (’91) and her Masters of Divinity from McCormick Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Chicago (‘94). In 2010 she completed her Doctor of Ministry at Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City Missouri with an emphasis in Spirituality and Organizational Change.

Since September 2020, she is a yoga instructor (RYT 200) with Spirit Bear Yoga and (RYT 500) with My Vinaysa Practice.  She's a member of  Yoga Alliance.   She enjoys leading vinyasa yoga flows as well as yin and restorative all informed by Polyvagal theory.    Piano competency is slowly emerging and music is a source of joy. 

She has been married to DJ King since November of 1996 and together they enjoy watching their three young adult children, Cody, Katie and Claire make their way in the world. With a menagerie of stray animals, the Kings are glad to call Waco “home”.

Jim Ellor has been a bi-vocational Presbyterian Minister for 33 years. He has been Parish Associate at First Presbyterian Church for the past 13 years. As Parish Associate, he is available for counseling, particularly around older adult issues. Jim also visits older adults at St. Catherine's/St. Elizabeth's in Waco.

Jim is Professor in the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work at Baylor University. Jim joined Baylor faculty in August of 2004.

Jim has worked as a medical social worker and gerontologist for over 40 years. Dr. Ellor spent his first 8 years practicing social work as a community organizer and then as a medical social worker at Augustana Hospital and Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. He has served as a Parish Associate in 6 different churches as part-time on-call chaplain at Edward Hospital, in Naperville, Illinois, as well as the chaplain to the Methodist Home of Chicago.

Dr. Ellor is also an adjunct teacher in the Pastoral Care Program at Asbury Theological Seminary. Jim is the Senior Editor of the Journal of Religion, Spirituality and Aging and author or editor of 10 books and numerous articles and book chapters.

Jeremy Davis, a Waco native and Midway High School graduate, has indeed made a significant impact on his community. His upbringing, guided by his pastor father, instilled in him a strong commitment to service and helping others. Jeremy's dedication to young people is 

evident in his role as the founder and executive director of Mentor Waco, where he sets high standards for students in academics, community involvement, and personal development.

Furthermore, he's also a Waco ISD Trustee, working towards preparing all students for successful futures. On a personal note, Jeremy got married in February 2023 to Courtney Davis, and they have one son named Thomas. In his leisure time, he enjoys good food, music, and movies.

Originally from Houston, Texas, Austin Ingalls has been in Waco since 2015. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Baylor University, where he studied voice with Dr. Robert Best. Aside from music and the congregational life of First Pres, Austin’s interests/obsessions include film, soccer (football), baseball, coffee, and his beagle Hopper. In addition to his role of Interim Chancel Choir Director at First Pres, Austin is on the management team at Pinewood Coffee Bar and Pub in Waco, where he’s always delighted to serve up a cup of coffee or a craft beer. Austin lives with his partner, Clarissa, in North Waco.

Amy Goodman began ringing handbell music in 1984 at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Beaumont, Texas, under the direction of Minister of Music Gordon Betenbaugh. She grew up ringing at Dicken’s on the Strand and at conferences at Montreat and Mo-Ranch. Amy was even on the planning team for the Mo-PAM Music and Worship conference from 2003 – 2006. Now Co-Director of the St. Cecilia Handbell Choir here at First Pres., she seeks to continue the legacy of handbell excellence initiated by St. Cecilia’s founder, Jan Bodine.

Organist/Musician

Becky has been organist at First Presbyterian Church since May, 1980. She has a Bachelor's and Master's degree in organ performance from Baylor University. In addition to playing the organ, Becky teaches private piano and organ to over 35 students, young and old alike. This year, she has taken up learning the harp and will enjoy playing it in church on a regular basis.

Outside the musical activities, Becky's interests include riding her horses in parades and in equestrian drill team performances. She also competes in obstacle/trail riding. In her free time, Becky is a water aerobics instructor at the Waco Family Y, teaching 5 classes every week. Becky and husband Vic, have three grown children and 7 precious grandchildren.

Julia began her piano studies at the age of four in Japan. In 2012, she moved to Massachusetts where she studied at the South Shore Conservatory until she graduated from high school. 

She first had her Carnegie Hall performance at the age of 16 when she won the Grand Prize at the Russian Music Competition hosted by TYMA. The year after, she consecutively won the same competition.  

Julia is currently an undergraduate studying piano performance at Baylor University School of Music. Her main teachers include HuiMin Wang, Jeewon Park, and Dr. Terry Lynn Hudson. 

In 2019, at the invitation of pianist Krassimira Jordan, she attended the Tyrolean International Piano Academy in Innsbruck, Austria. In the summer of 2022, she was admitted to participate in the Masterclass of Prof. Anna Malikova through the European Music Institute in Vienna, Austria. Julia has also participated in the Vienna International Piano Academy where she had the chance to play at the historic Ehrbar Hall.

Julia also has experience teaching piano in both group settings and private settings. She is a member of the Music Teachers National Association and Texas Music Teachers Association.

Besides music, Julia has vast interests such as ballet and social justice. She has background training in classical ballet intensively under the American Ballet Theatre Curriculum at the South Shore Ballet Theatre and currently serves as president of the Classical Ballet Society at Baylor.

Lauren Russell is a Viola Performance Graduate Student under Dr. Kathryn Steely at Baylor University. She is a member of the Baylor Symphony Orchestra, performs in chamber ensembles, and is an active performer and viola/violin teacher in the Waco community. Originally from Alexandria, MN, Lauren graduated with a Bachelor of the Arts from Gustavus Adolphus College. During her undergraduate studies Lauren played in orchestra, chamber groups, and jazz ensembles as well as singing in choir and jazz. In her free time, Lauren enjoys reading, spending time outdoors (unless it’s summer in Texas), and spending time with friends!

This position is open. 

Admired for his hard work and dedication to the craft, John Jovicich is celebrated as a

professional Vocalist in the Waco area. In the past few years he worked with the North Texas

Performing Arts in managing their repertory musical West Side Story as well as several devised

pieces for children. John also collaborated with the Baylor Opera Theater with breathtaking

performances as “Young Man” in Lucy and “Papageno” in scenes. He graduated from Baylor

University with a Bachelor’s of Music in May of 2021. John is said to be a natural born leader

with exceptional virtuosic talent that helps him excel in the art of musical performance and

teaching. Outside of music and teaching, John enjoys working at Lighthouse as the Assistant

Manager and hopes to one day be the owner of his very own coffee shop.

Sarah Davis is a student at Baylor University where she studies Church Music with a concentration in voice and a secondary major in French. Before coming to Waco, she attended Grace Presbyterian Church in Plano, Texas. Throughout her life, she greatly enjoyed being involved with the church's children's choirs, mission trips, and youth group. She has been baptized, confirmed, and ordained as an elder in PCUSA and is very grateful to have found a second church home here in Waco that is so similar to her background. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, being outdoors, and learning piano and guitar. She is incredibly grateful to serve such an incredible congregation!

Shane Montoya was born and raised in Waco, TX. He moved to Austin, TX in 2004 to attend St. Edward’s University. He received his BA in Communication from St. Edward’s in 2008 and later went on to receive his MBA from Concordia University Texas in 2014.

He has spent the majority of his career working with non-profit organizations. His expertise is in marketing and communications, and enjoys working with people.

He has been married to his wife Malorie since March 2017. They enjoy every moment of getting to spend time with their children, Ryan, Kynadie and Byntlie. His favorite season is Summer, and he loves anything that involves being outdoors.

Mark is a Partner with a Pattillo, Brown, & Hill, a local CPA firm, and specializes in audits of Financial Institution. Mark has been a member of First Presbyterian since 1980, the year he graduated from Baylor University. He became the Church Treasurer in March 2003 upon the death of the previous Church Treasurer. Mark enjoys attending all Baylor sporting events, especially Women’s Basketball, where he has been known to don a green wig in support of the Baylor Lady Bears. Mark and his wife Marilyn, a Success Coach at TSTC, have one son, Hunter, a graduate of TSTC.

Karen Simmons was born and raised in Waco, TX. She is a blessed mother of three, and grandmother of five grand babies. She was blessed with two wonderful parents. Cleaning means the world to her. She loves to meet different people and make them smile. She is always happy to make new friends and considers herself a people person. In her freetime she loves being home, relaxing, and having time with family. 

Jeanna Gregg is originally from Wichita, Kansas but packed up to move to Texas to attend Baylor University in 2019. She received her Bachelors from Baylor University in 2023 majoring in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. She was a Tridelta at Baylor and served as the Social Media and Graphic Design Chair. She has worked as a volunteer for the Family Abuse Center for 2 years, and as a Research Assistant for Baylor University during her time in college. 

Outside of work and school life Jeanna loves hanging out with her cat named sushi, her parents, her friends, and her boyfriend Harrison. What might be the most important piece of information about Jeanna is that she is a HUGE Swifty; she has attended each one of Taylor Swift’s concerts since Miss Swift first began touring. She also enjoys painting, reading, and watching the sunset at Lake Waco. 

Katelyn has been a member of First Presbyterian Church since childhood. Her love of medieval literature and history led her to the University of Connecticut, where she earned her Ph.D. in English in May 2020. She is thrilled to have the good fortune to turn her experience in and love of archival research toward a community she values so deeply. In her free time, Katelyn enjoys knitting, reading, and being with family. 

My name is Chelley Cross-Breemes, and I go by Chelley.  I have 2 Associates Degrees from MCC.  Currently, I am a Physical Therapy Assistant at Providence Park and have been with them for the past 3 years. My children and grandchildren take up most of my free time.  I also enjoy health, fitness and learning hot o balance family and work life to improve the quality of both.  I have served in the FPC nursery since May of 2005 and will be celebrating my second year as a member in October. 

I am David Summers. I was born and raised in Waco, TX. I am a graduate of Midway High School, also attended Louisiana Tech in Ruston, LA. I absolutely love working with kids, and it is a natural desire for me to watch over and care for those who cannot care for themselves, I have done this since a very early age. As I am the eldest of 3 and assisting my mother over time. I enjoy spending time with my four children as well as having family fun days. I absolutely love doing puzzles, and tinkering with small electronics or fixing anything that is broken. I have grown up here with First Presbyterian since childhood, and employed since 2009

My name is Zoe Koerth and I’m a 20-year-old, full-time college student. I just transferred to Baylor to pursue my passion of special education. I’ve worked with children for as long as I can remember and I love watching them grow and learn. I’ve only been here a month, but I plan to stay as long as possible!

Hello my name is JuJu and I’ve watched over little ones since my start on the sandwich islands of Hawai’i, to the Rocky Mountains of Washington. It is a privilege to watch and assist the children of my community grow and achieve whatever they set their mind to!