Pastor Christian Johnson grew up in multiple places on the West Coast of the USA. Sensing a call to ministry while serving as a volunteer outreach ministry leader, he went to Whitworth University, and upon graduation, went on Young Life staff. Later he earned a Masters of Divinity at Fuller Theological Seminary, graduating in 2001 with a concentration in Christian discipleship and formation. After seminary, he served ten years as a high school Bible teacher and chaplain. Over the last 11 years, he has served multiple congregations, including urban, suburban and rural ones. Christian also currently serves as the president of Hebron, USA, a faith-based humanitarian nonprofit organization that serves in partnership with the indigenous people of Chiapas, Mexico, both physically and spiritually. He is passionate about helping an ever-enlarging circle of followers of Jesus to grow in faith and sacrificial, one-another love. He is always fostering catalysts that enable the church family to be internally strong and externally focused in real and tangible ways. Christian met his wife Kristen while on a missions trip to Mexicali, Mexico. They have two children: Taidan and Ella.
Dr. Mark Ramsey studied choral music, organ, composition, and music theory while at Arizona State University, earning the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in 1990. He joined the FPC staff in 1994 and has participated as an organist, recitalist, and co-conductor at the Salzburg Church Music Festival in Salzburg, Austria, the Italian Polychoral Arts Festival in Venice, Italy, and Disney Magic Music Days! He has performed with the Flagstaff Master Chorale and the Phoenix Symphony and has been an instructor of music at Glendale Community College (AZ) and Northern Arizona University. He is a past Dean of the Central Arizona Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, was inducted into the Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society and was a Co-Recipient of the 2004 National Religious Music Week Alliance Award of Distinction. He is married and has two children, two grandchildren, and enjoys bicycling, computing, and working with the FPC staff and congregation to help increase God's kingdom.
Chris moved to Mesa from San Jose, California back in 2019, where he served as the Director of Children and Family Ministries at Westminster Presbyterian Church. He brings his experience in many facets of church life, as well as a seminary education to this role. Chris is excited about sharing with us the many gifts God has given him. Chris and his wife, Heather, have one son, Matthew.
Shiloh Murillo has a passion for children and has dedicated her career to sharing the great love of God with them. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Child Development from California State University - Northridge. She started as a Pre-K teacher for 6 years and became the assistant director. She then raised her own 3 girls as a stay-at-home mother until they all went off to elementary school. Shiloh became the Director at First Presbyterian Preschool of Mesa in July of 2012. This has been a blessing to be here and share the love of Christ with the children and families that come to preschool. Shiloh currently sits on the Southeast Maricopa Regional Council for First Things First as Vice Chair and holds the Childcare seat.
Linda began working part-time at FPC in 2000 and became Office Manager in January of 2005. Keeping up with a very busy office and staff keeps her on her toes. Linda enjoys reading and spending time with friends and family. Sunday “Happy Hours” are a favorite time. Her family includes Laura Bruening, Dan, Kevin, Jess, Brielle, Everleigh, Declynn, Jason, Amanda, and Owen. Plus, the dogs Rhythm, Jack and Booker!
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