Rev. Raymond N. Dunlap, Senior Minister
Rev. Dunlap joined the staff of First Christian Church as minister, January 1, 2000 .He has served and held leadership roles on various boards throughout his ministry with emphasis on public education, family services, community services, and foster care. Rev. Dunlap has completed basic training and study in the area of domestic violence and adult recovery from childhood violence.
Rev. Dunlap attended college at Prairie State College, Chicago Heights , Illinois , and graduated Phi Theta Kappa with an Associate of Arts degree. He continued his studies at the University of Illinois , Urbana-Champaign campus working toward a Bachelor of Science in Music Education with a vocal-choral emphasis. This study was interrupted by military service in the Naval Reserve, where he served aboard the USS Decatur (DDG-31) in electronics as a radar repairman. After honorable discharge, Rev. Dunlap entered the University of Alabama-Birmingham and completed requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree. Rev. Dunlap attended Lexington Theological Seminary earning a Master of Divinity with emphasis in Pastoral Care. His masters thesis titled, The Newly Married: Building a Contractual Relationship explores inter-personal contracting between marital partners.
The Christian Church in Alabama-Northwest Florida ordained Rev. Dunlap in 1981. He has served as Protestant Lay-Leader aboard the USS Decatur, Music Director of Carlton Hills Southern Baptist Church, Santee, California, Interim Minister of Roebuck Christian Church, Birmingham, Alabama and Walstonburg Christian Church, Walstonburg, North Carolina, and Minister of Salvisa Christian Church, Salvisa Kentucky, First Christian Church, Sebree, Kentucky, and Aurora, Missouri, Hooker Memorial Christian Church, Greenville, North Carolina, and Associate Minister of Highland Park Christian Church, Des Moines, Iowa.
Rev. Dunlap was born March 2, 1950 , to Harold E. and Martha M. Dunlap in Champaign , Illinois . His childhood was spent in various communities in central and northern Illinois , and northern Indiana . Rev. Dunlap married Wanda S. Morrow of Ashland , Alabama , August 5, 1978 . They have two children, Elizabeth Miriam and Charles Benjamin.
Pastor Keith A. Speer, Youth Minister
Keith Speer grew up in Fulton, Missouri after moving here at a young age from Alton, Illinois. Keith has always had a passion for teaching the Bible and started as the High School Sunday School teacher at FCC two years ago. He continues to teach Sunday School and is the chair of the contemporary service committee. Keith is also a licensed minister with the DOC.
Keith holds a degree in Computer Information Management and is currently working with Ameren as a Manager of IT. Some of his hobbies include playing the guitar, gaming, writing, and spending time with family. Keith has a passion for ministering to youth and enjoys working with them on a direct level. He trys find creative ways to teach and direct youth activities. His personal philosophy is that we are all challenged to equip youth and help strengthen their faith so they are able to face the college years and adulthood.
Keith is married and his wife's name is Katie. They a have two daughters named Leah and Corrine. Katie, Leah and Cora are very active in many programs at First Christian as well.
Angel Duncan, Secretary
Angel grew up in Fulton after moving here at the age of 4. She is an active member of Southside Baptist Church in Fulton and is a member of the choir there as well as enjoying working in the nursery during Sunday School.
Angel holds a degree in Family and Consumer Sciences with a minor in Information Systems from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, AR. She lived in New Haven, CT for two years while her husband, Ryan, finished his Master’s of Arts in Religion at Yale Divinity School.
Angel and Ryan have been married for seven years and have three little boys, Joseph, Connor, and Lucas. They keep their parents very busy! In her spare time, Angel enjoys sewing, reading and working crossword puzzles.
Martha Hogan, Director of Choirs
Martha Hogan began working with First Christian in August of 2003. She serves as director of Chancel Choir and Handbell Choir.
Martha graduated from Culver-Stockton College in 1980 with a Bachelor of Music degree. While at Culver, she participated in Concert Choir, C-S Singers, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Operas and Musicals. In 1991 the University of Missouri granted her a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction/Music Education.
Martha has directed church choirs in Presbyterian, Episcopal, Disciples, and Methodist Churches in Palmyra, Hannibal, and Canton, Missouri. From 1990-2003 she served at Court Street United Methodist Church. There, she had the opportunity to direct adult, youth and children’s groups in vocal and bell choirs as well as an instrumental group, skits, and pageants.
During the week one will find Martha teaching choir at Fulton High School, teaching private piano and voice lessons as well as working with the Fulton High School Theater Department as musical director.
Culver Stockton was where she met her husband, Bob, who, like Martha, grew up in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) churches. Bob’s father was a Disciples minister before his death in 1980. Bob and Martha are blessed with three daughters, Elizabeth Grace, Emily Hope and Erica Joy. Elizabeth is a Music Teacher in St. Louis. Emily attends Culver-Stockton where she plays softball and sings in choir. Erica is a student at Moberly Area Community College. Bob is the principal of McIntire Elementary School.
Pam Hendrix, Organist
Pam joined the staff of First Christian Church as organist in October 2001. She is a graduate of Fulton High School and attended Culver-Stockton College , Canton , Missouri graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Economics. Pam has studied the piano since age 7 and began study of the pipe organ while at Culver-Stockton College. Learning about the pipe organ, has been one of Pam’s major accomplishments. Pam states, “There is so much to learn about this magnificent instrument and I’m so blessed to be given the opportunity to share my love of the Lord through music each Sunday during worship. Come join us and make a joyful noise to the Lord!”
Participation in church has been a significant part of Pam’s life. Many summer days were spent at First Christian Church while her mother was church secretary. Part of this time was spent playing the piano and eventually the organ. Pam has participated in the leadership of Vacation Bible School and the LOGOS System Associate program as well as life-long membership in the Hand Bell and Chancel Choirs. Pam and her husband, Robert, have served as Sunday school Teachers and have sponsored the youth group.
Pam married Robert Hendrix in 1993, and they are raising Robert’s children, Bobby and Summer.
Pam worked for Woodhaven Learning Center , Columbia , Missouri and then joined the State of Missouri Division of Medical Services, Medicaid Program, Jefferson City . She currently works in the Program Integrity Section auditing Medicaid providers for compliance to agency policy.
