Staff

Ministry and Program Staff (click on the name to email)

Chuck Blaisdell serves as First Christian's Senior Pastor. He came to First Christian Church in October 2009 from the Big Island of Hawaii where he had served as pastor of the Hilo Coast United Church of Christ in Honomu. Before that he was Regional Minister for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Northern California and Nevada. He has also served churches in Indiana and Texas, and has been on the staff of Christian Theological Seminary and Vanderbilt University. He has earned degrees from Texas Christian University (where he was also inducted into Phi Beta Kappa), the University of Chicago, Vanderbilt University, and Christian Theological Seminary. In May, 2012, he was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Divinity degree by Christian Theological Seminary. Chuck has had a number of sermons, articles, and book reviews published, and he is the editor of the book Conservative, Moderate, Liberal: The Biblical Authority Debate. He also currently chairs the Board of Directors for Chalice Press/Christian Board of Publication. He and his wife, the Rev. Barbara Blaisdell, who is currently serving as the Senior Pastor at First Christian Church in Tacoma, Washington, have four adult children and two grandchildren.

Hana Bustillos serves as FCC's Lay Associate Pastor. She is a long-time member of several Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) congregations across the country and has served in many capacities (including as an Elder at First Christian) in those congregations. Hana began this position in January of 2016. She staffs the Young Adult Ministries, Youth Ministries, the new "marketing/branding" initiative, new participant follow-up efforts, and carries general pastoral responsibilities. Hana has a B.A. in History from San Francisco State University, and an M.A. in History from the University of Nebraska Kearney.

Darryl Searuggs is FCC'S Associate Minister. Darryl is a graduate of Iliff Theological Seminary, where he received an MDiv with an emphasis in Religion and Social Change. He served on FCC's staff as Ministerial Intern for the 2015-2016 academic year, and as Student Associate Minister for the 2016-2017 academic year. A retired Air Force officer and pilot, Darryl is currently a pilot for FedEx. He is a candidate for ordination with the Central Rocky Mountain Disciples Region, under the sponsorship of First Christian Church.

Lynn Smith is FCC's Licensed Minister of Visitation. She is an M.Div. graduate under the care of the Central Rocky Mountain Region Disciples towards ordination. Lynn has an extensive ministry focusing on hospital and shut-in calling. She is also a police chaplain with the Colorado Springs Police Department.

Norman Heimer is FCC's Coordinator of Small Groups Ministry. Norman has a PhD in Chemistry and taught chemistry for many years, most recently at the United States Air Force Academy. He is a long-time FCC member and volunteer and continues to give significant volunteer time in his role as Coordinator and to the upkeep of FCC's gardens.

Laura Hatler is a long-time member and youth ministry volunteer at First Christian Church. She joined the staff of FCC on January 1, 2015, as Family Ministries Coordinator and has staff and program oversight for our children's educational ministries and the youth program, and oversees our staff Sunday School teachers Gray & Rachel Fredericks and Brittany Bevans Merchant.

Sharon Rodenbaugh is FCC's Nursery Director. Sharon became FCC's nursery director in October of 2016. She oversees a staff of half-a-dozen nursery workers.

Gaylord Hatler is Special Assistant to the Sr. Pastor for Special Projects and currently also serves as Project Manager for FCC's Capital Campaign. He also has responsibilities for building and facilities oversight. Gay is also Senior Pastor Emeritus, having served as FCC's Senior Pastor from the early '90s to 2005.

Worship and Music Staff (click on the name to email)

Kim Schultz began her tenure as Music and Communications Director at First Christian Church in January 2012. Originally from Washington, D.C., Kim has lived in Colorado Springs for 18 years, and is also currently the conductor of the Chamber Singers of the Colorado Springs Chorale. Kim received her Masters of Music degree in Choral Conducting from the Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver, where she served as the graduate teaching assistant for choirs. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Music and History from Duke University in Durham, NC. Kim has much experience working with young people, both as a vocal music instructor in the public and parochial schools for 7 years, and as a private piano and voice teacher for nearly 20 years. She and her husband, Mark, and son, Henry, love the Colorado lifestyle, and are avid skiers, runners, hikers, and gardeners.

Carol Wilson, FCC's Organist, received her B.Mus. in organ & piano performance from Colorado State University in 1973, and her M.Mus. in organ & piano performance from the University of Kansas in 1989. Carol has served First Christian Church as organist, accompanist and manager of the concert series since 1989. Prior to coming to Colorado Springs, Carol taught organ and piano and was university organist at Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kansas. She has held positions as church organist and given organ and piano concerts in Texas, Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas and Missouri. She studied organ with Robert Cavarra and James Higdon and piano with Wendell Diebel and James Winerock, and has played in masterclasses for many notable artists. Carol is also an adjunct piano instructor at Colorado College, accompanies in the community, and is an active performer on organ, piano and harpsichord. In addition to the Music Ministry, Carol is also part of the pastoral staff as Pastoral Visitor and is in charge of FCC's gardens.

Support Staff (click on the name to email)

Diana Serna - Ministry Assistant for Administration & Finance
Amy Hartman - Ministry Assistant
Josh Vigil - Custodian
Holly Mauro - Sunday Host/Custodian
Ray Killian - Building Security Assistant