Staff
John Hill
Senior Pastor
John Hill is the senior pastor at First Church. He loves to laugh, enjoys good stand up comedy, as well as great burgers. He has three daughters and one son. John is married to Kristin. They met at church and it was love at first sight. She is an incredible woman who loves Jesus and His gospel. John is a firm believer that when we follow Jesus, the best is yet to come for us, and no matter where we are at in our lives, in Christ, we can live guilt free and grace full. Pastor John and Kristin would love to meet you, please feel free to introduce yourself on a Sunday morning (or anytime you run into them)!
John can be reached at pastorjohn@first.church.
Alyce Wendt
Executive Director of Ministries
Alyce Wendt is the Executive Director of Ministries at First Church. A young, passionate woman, Alyce came to First Church seeking to fulfill God’s call upon her life to inspire and serve His people. With her B.A. in English Literature and Religious Studies from Calumet College of St. Joseph, she is eager to help the Church’s ministries grow and thrive, creating a welcoming atmosphere infused with life and excitement for the Lord. Alyce is married to Dakota, and they reside in Wheatfield with their black lab, Teal. Alyce loves being outdoors, singing Disney princess songs at the top of her lungs, and being a part of First Church’s band on Sunday mornings. You can spot Alyce easily (she’s 6’2’’!) in our lobby before and after services, and she’d love to connect with you and help you get plugged in to one of our many wonderful ministries. “Saved People Serve People,” and Alyce has committed her life to doing just that.
Alyce can be reached at alyce@first.church.
Grant Allen
Worship & Music Director
Grant Allen joined the First Church staff in 2012. Raised in Texas, he went to the College of the Ozarks in southwest Missouri where he got his B.A. in music ministry and in Spanish. Grant has served in music ministry in various denominations from Methodist to Southern Baptist to Catholic. He has a heart for unity of the Church in Christ. “I want to see all people come and worship God so that when they leave a worship service; they will see God as more awesome than when they came.”
Grant’s wife Lora also has her degree in music from the College of the Ozarks and teaches piano and violin. They have two daughters and a son.
Here at First Church, Grant wants to make sure that members of the Body of Christ are doing what God made them to do within the church. So if you have desire to get involved in worship in any capacity, please contact Grant through the church.
Grant can be reached at grant@first.church.
Aleah Witvoet
Director of First Impressions
Aleah Witvoet is the Director of First Impressions. She is very detail oriented, ambitious, has a huge heart for others, and loves meeting new people. Aleah wants to serve others and share the good news of Jesus so that they, too, may become passionate followers of Christ. She attended Kent State University and Ivy Tech Community College and graduated with an Associate’s Degree, as a CST. She is originally from Ohio and now resides in Wheatfield with her husband Jay and two dogs Ace and Boomer. Aleah loves the outdoors, antique shopping, and spending quality time with others.
You can contact Aleah at aleah@first.church.
Zachary Fraley
Youth Director
Zachary is the Youth Director here at First Church. A native Texan, Zachary is excited to be on the team here in Indiana! He is Heaven bent on reaching the next generation for Christ, and equipping them to share their passion for Him.
Zachary came to Christ when he was 17, but didn’t realize his call to ministry until he was 20. While attending Texas Lutheran University, studying Vocal Performance, he began attending a church that taught him how to to truly walk out a Christ-Centered life. Since then, it’s been history! Zachary enjoys hanging out at coffee shops, studying God’s Word, and chilling with youth!
Zachary can be reached at zachary@first.church
Elizabeth Abell
Director of Children's Ministry
Elizabeth is the Director of Children’s Ministries at First Church. A DeMotte native, she has spent much of her life with children through her family, past job experiences, and her time as a First Kids volunteer. Elizabeth is so excited to use her God-given ability to love children of all ages and backgrounds while teaching them about Jesus! She cannot wait to see how God works through her to reach generation after generation while obtaining her business administration degree from Indiana University Northwest!
Elizabeth can be reached at elizabeth@first.church
David Sanders
Media & Production Director
David Sanders is the Media and Production Director at First Church. He was raised in Uttar Pradesh, India and completed his B.A. in Cinematic Arts at Liberty University. David felt a calling from the Lord in high school to pursue a career in film and media. He desires to use these powerful tools of communication to draw people to a relationship with Christ. He greatly wants every passion, and aspect of his life to be used to glorify God.
David is married to Jaymi; they both live in DeMotte. David is a huge outdoor enthusiast who prefers time outside to time spent inside. He also enjoys photography, flying drones, board games, and good conversations.
David can be reached at david@first.church
Katie Wunderink
Communications Director
Katie Wunderink is the Communications Director at First Church. Originally from the small town of Pine Village, Indiana, this enthusiastic, driven young woman is excited to live life to the fullest while on the farm in Shelby with her husband, Brian, and here at First Church! With a B.A. in Public Relations and Strategic Communication from Purdue University, she is eager to combine her passions for writing, public speaking, and event planning to help First Church flourish and reach the unreached.
You can typically find Katie helping Brian on the farm, partaking in adrenaline-filled outdoor recreation, as well as sharing her love for Christ.
Katie can be reached at katie@first.church
Cooper Baumgartner
Social Media Coordinator
Cooper is the Social Media Coordinator at First Church. Born and raised in the mountains of Pennsylvania, he has had a passion to see lives forever changed by God since surrendering his life to Christ at the age of 14.
With a love for using, building, and fixing technology, Cooper is a true “nerd.” He has spent countless hours learning and applying the art of videography. His interest in technology has pushed him to discover many different areas and uses of tech, which he is excited to apply to First Church’s various social media platforms!
Cooper can be reached at cooper@first.church
Reneé Sanders
Building Director
Reneé Sanders is the Building Director at First Church. Raised in Wheatfield, she now resides in DeMotte with her husband, Austin, their cats Dill and Taco, along with their various outside animals. Reneé received a Technical Certificate in Practical Nursing from Ivy Tech Community College. In her free time, she thoroughly enjoys taking care of her animals, going on coffee dates, singing with the band at the 6pm service, and co-leading a life group!
Reneé has always had a passion for helping others, and after surrendering her entire life to Jesus on October 23, 2018, Jesus lit her passion on fire! She loves connecting with people of all ages and backgrounds and enjoys being a part of a team whose mission is to see generation after generation become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. In 1 Corinthians 16:14 it says, “And do everything with love,” and that is exactly what Reneé intends to do!
Reneé can be reached at renee@first.church
Molly Ciancanelli
Life Group Coordinator
Molly Ciancanelli is the Life Group Coordinator at First Church. She grew up going to First Church and has been an owner since she was a teen. She retired from a 39 year career in nursing in 2014 and has volunteered as our Life Group Coordinator since 2016.
This is right up her alley because she is highly relational. She loves Jesus and she loves people. She knows that getting someone plugged into a Life Group is the best way for them to build relationships with others and grow in their relationship with Christ. She’ll do her best to get you into the Life Group that fits your schedule and needs.
Molly lives with her husband Paul in DeMotte and can usually be seen out talking with people in the lobby before and after services. She’d love to meet you!
Molly can be reached at molly@first.church
Leadership Team
