First Presbyterian Church of Valparaiso
Staff of First Presbyterian
Kim Adams, Senior Pastor and Head of Staff
A cradle Presbyterian, Kimber-lee is originally from New London, Pennsylvania, but also spent her formative years in Berkeley Heights, NJ and Tarpon Springs, FL. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, with a Minor in Art History from the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida, and a Master of Divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois.
Kimber-lee met her husband, Jason while attending the University of South Florida. Together they have two children and all together they care for their two golden retrievers. Kimber-lee enjoys reading, exploring and traveling, cooking, the beach, and dreaming of ways to help make the world a better place. She’s known to ask “What did you do to change the world today?”
Kimber-lee joined the staff at First Presbyterian Church in September, 2019. Prior to coming to Valparaiso, she served churches in Bloomington, Indiana; Bradenton, Florida; and Chicago, Illinois. Kimber-lee is one of the contributors to Growing in God’s Love: A Story Bible (Westminster John Knox Press, 2018) and will be writing for a companion curriculum in 2020.
Ken Crews, Director Christian Education and Youth Ministry
Ken Crews and his wife Heather and children Owen and Evey have had a busy journey in recent years. They spent three amazing years with the McCormick Theological Seminary community as Ken was a full-time graduate student pursuing a Master's of Divinity. More recently, they found a home in Evanston, IL for three years; and during this time he was blessed to serve full-time as the Director of Student Ministries at First Presbyterian Church of Wilmette and part-time as the Youth Pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Winnetka. This summer presented an opportunity to participate in the Clinical Pastoral Education experience at Sojourner Truth House in Gary, IN, and move one step closer to ordination in the PCUSA.
In addition to serving the FPCV family, Ken will be serving part-time at First Presbyterian Church of Portage. They are all excited to be back in Northwest Indiana and to continue to glorify God with you all!
Dawn Scarborough, Administrative Assistant
Dawn Scarborough has over twenty-one years of experience in the Administrative Assistant field. June 2016 will celebrate her sixteenth year as a staff team member of First Presbyterian Church. Her hobbies include reading and gardening.
Jeffrey Whitney, Director of Music and Digital Ministries
Jeffrey has over twenty years of experience in a variety of roles involving digital and music ministries in Washington, Wisconsin, and more recently here in Northwest Indiana in Schererville and Munster. Jeff has a Bachelor of Science degree in Music from The College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY.
Janice Axmann, Organist
Janice Axmann received her music education, using The Curtis Method, from the American Conservatory of Music (Calumet Conservatory Branch) from age 9 through here high school years. She also studied privately for 2 years with Dr. Judy Congdon, professor of organ at Wesleyan College of Houghton New York and 3 years with Dr. John Bernthal of Valparaiso University, also studying music theory, counterpoint, history of church music and hymnology.
Rhonda Clark, Bell Choir Director
Rhonda Clark and her husband, Don have been married for over 44 years and have two grown sons, Jeff and Don, III. Both of them and their wives have presented Don and Rhonda with five of the most wonderful grandchildren that they could have ever hoped or prayed for. Cadynce, Donnie, Colbie, Damon, and Caleb have been special gifts from God. They thank him every day for taking such good care of them all.
Rhonda was the Children's Choral Director for 24 years at First Presbyterian Church. She had the privilege over the years of seeing many children grow to become strong, confident Christians. Rhonda joins the FPC team as the Adult Choir Director and looks forward to leading in this capacity.
Rhonda has been a member of the Aldi Team for 25 years since the Valparaiso Division opened in 1992. She spends Monday through Friday handling the Benefits for over 700 employees.
She has seen many changes over the years since she joined the staff here at First Pres., but has never been more ecstatic about the leadership of Pastors Mark and Toby.
