Shared Leadership
In the Presbyterian Church (USA), leadership is shared between Pastors and Elders. Together, they have responsibilities for governance and ministry of the congregation they serve as well as in the church at large, including ecumenical relationships. The body of Elders, elected and ordained by the congregation, is called the Session. The Board of Deacons, also elected and ordained by the congregation, extends the ministry of Christ’s compassion for the poor, the hungry, the sick, the friendless, the grieving, the oppressed, and all who are in distress.
Pastors and Staff
Rev. Katie Cummings
Pastor
Rev. Cummings has served First Presbyterian Church of Bentonville since March of 2015. In prior calls, she served as Associate Pastor for Adult Ministries at Grace Presbyterian Church, and as Associate Pastor for Discipleship and Congregational Care at Clear Lake Presbyterian Church, both in Houston, Texas. She received her Master of Divinity degree from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, where she currently serves on the Board of Trustees. Rev. Cummings grew up in Dallas, Texas. She is married to Phil Cummings, a retired attorney. They have one adult daughter.
Rev. Dr. Georgia Senor
Associate Pastor
Rev. Senor was called to serve First Presbyterian Church of Bentonville in October of 2014. Prior to that, she was the pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Arkansas, and a chaplain at the VA hospital in Fayetteville. She received her Master of Divinity degree from Phillips Theological Seminary, and her Doctor of Divinity degree from McCormick Theological Seminary. Rev. Senor grew up Presbyterian in Portland, Oregon. She is married to Tom Senor, a professor at the University of Arkansas. They have three children and a granddaughter.
Brian Breeding
Director of Music Ministries
On staff at FPC, Bentonville since 2019, Brian has also served in churches in Louisiana, Texas, and California. A former educator, he taught public school and at the university level for a total of 14 years. In addition to preparing music for weekly worship, Brian trains in martial arts, volunteers with local animal shelters, and is working toward certification as a Master Naturalist. He and his wife, Vicki, recently celebrated their 30-yr anniversary and enjoy living with their 2 chihuahuas in Bella Vista.
Zinnuh Cooper
Director of My Friends and Me Learning Center
Zinnuh Cooper, better known as Ms. Z, has been a loving and dedicated caregiver for our children at First Presbyterian Church for the past 20 years. Z began serving as Nursery Director/Coordinator in 1999 and the Program Director of My Friends and Me Learning Center, as a founding member, in 2002. Ms. Z has a BA in Human Development and Family Science. She is married with two children and two grandsons. She loves our children (and it shows!) and is now even caring for some second generation FPC and MFM kids and their families.
Jorge Esparza
Custodian
Chuck Hargus
Kristy Olefsky
Accompanist
Session
Clerk of Session: Virginia Breshears
Class of 2020: Amanda Coleman, Lance de la Rosa, Susan Fraser, Roy Horan, Tina James, Jenna Solomon
Class of 2021: Nathan Adams, Janet Atwood, Brad Kingsley, Pam Ramaker, Clark Tedrick
Class of 2022: Harry James, Krystle Foster, Linda Freeman, Sara Semrow, Cheryl Wright
Board of Deacons
Class of 2020: Kathryn Andrew, Bob Beck, Sheree Miller, Annette Robek, Mary Jo Thicksten, Carson de la Rosa
Class of 2021: Mavis Anderson, Mike Bender, Grace Blazer, David Richards, Doug Witte
Class of 2022: Andy Martin, Susannah Nevill, Gail Rogers, Rebecca Schneringer, John Whiting