Pastor Dave joined First Church as Senior Pastor in January of 2006. He was raised in Akron, Ohio and attended the University of Akron majoring in music (organ & vocal performance). He then attended the Fort Wayne Bible College (now Taylor University; Fort Wayne Campus) earning degrees in Pastoral Ministries and Church Music in 1987. Pastor Dave completed his Master of Divinity Degree in 1993 at Ashland Theological Seminary and was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Divinity in 2001. 

Erik has served First Church as the Director of Music since January of 2005. He came to us from the New Bremen St. Paul Church were he served as their music director for 23 years. He has served as a music director since he was 18 years old. Erik is also a professional square dance caller. 

Kay Nolte (left) serves First Church as our Senior Organist. Connie O'Neill (right) joined First Church in 2007. The musci program here is a joy thanks to the talents of these ladies and those of the choir and praise team! 

First Church here in New Knoxville looks to the Evangelical-Reformed church in Ladbergen, West Germany as her mother-church as it was from this church that immigrants came to make their new homes here beginning in the 1830's... 

Although the beginnings of this congregation had a real mother-daughter relationship with the congregation in Ladbergen, Germany and began with a strong feeling for the Reformed and Lutheran church traditions, it remained an “independent” congregation with... 

Connie Schroer joined the staff at First Church in early 2006. She is married to Allen Schroer and they are parents to one son. She is the Administrative Assistant / Treasurer and is responsible to all aspects of the office and finances of the church. Connie is in the office from 8am to 3pm M-F. 

Susie Reineke joined First Church in August of 2007. Susie is married to Stan Reineke and they are parents to Morgan, Marcus, and Meg. Her responsibilities include the monthly newsletter, special projects, answering phones, answering questions, and any other tasks required in the office. Susie works 2 to 3 days per week from 8 am to 3 pm. 

Fred Wierwille serves First Church as our day to day caretaker. Fred took over his duties in August of 1982. There is a long history of the Wierwille family taking care of things around here. Fred's father Orville served as Sexton from 1962 to 1975 and his mother Louise took care of things from 1975 to 1982 when Fred took the reigns.