The Reverend Phillip Blackburn was born and raised in Oklahoma City, OK. He graduated from the University of Kansas in 1997 and Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 2001. Following his graduation, he moved to Edinburgh, Scotland and received a Master of Theology from the University of Edinburgh. He has served in ministry in Indianapolis, IN, Lincoln, IL and now Fort Smith, AR. He has been married to his wife, Tasha, since 2001 and they have two children, Calum and Alena. He enjoys sports, reading, chess and tennis.

Keley Simpson is a native of Fort Smith, AR. She attended Arkansas Tech University and graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Psychology. Keley’s work experience includes program director for sexual assault and domestic violence services at the Donald W. Reynolds Crisis Intervention Center (formerly known as the Crisis Center for Battered Women and Crisis Center for Women) and Investigator for Crime Victims Reparation at the Office of the Attorney General Keley is a member of the Comprehensive Plan Implementation Committee with the city of Fort Smith. She is also a board member for 3 local non-profits. During her free time, Keley enjoys reading and writing poetry.

Gini Law was born and raised right here in Ft. Smith. She has been playing in church since the tender young age of 13 and has had a steady playing gig ever since. She has served as a church musician in Ft. Smith, Conway, Maumelle, and Batesville, AR and has enjoyed adding organist to her resume since coming to First Pres. She is the proud mom of three talented kids- Victoria, Cameron, and Evan, and Gigi to Allison. In what little spare time she has, she enjoys shopping, watching crime TV, and going to the movies.

Rebekah Martin loves being a part of the First Presbyterian Staff. After receiving a BA in Theater Arts from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California, Rebekah lived and worked in New York for multiple theater companies. The majority of her family was from Fort Smith which eventually led her back here. She is married to her best friend, Stephen, and a proud mother of three amazing kids: Sebastian, Weston, and Reagan, who keep her constantly busy!

Cindy Sherrod joined the staff at First Presbyterian Church in March of 2012. Cindy was born in Mena, but was raised and has lived most of her life here in Fort Smith. She is now happily raising her two daughters here as well. In 2008, Cindy graduated from the University of Arkansas Fort Smith with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She has an Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising from the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving.

Jean Perdue was born in Fort Smith and has lived here all her life. She attended Westark College, taking various business classes. Jean worked doing Medical Billing for 45 years prior to coming to First Presbyterian. She has two grown children, Amber & Blake and two Grandchildren, Cody Ryan and Charley Mae. Jean enjoys reading and sewing in her time away from work and watching Hallmark movies with her cats curled up on her lap.  

Kesha McCain is from Fort Smith. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and received a Masters in Biblical Studies in May 2015. She is currently working on her Doctorate in Biblical Studies. She has been married to her husband Timothy for 4 years. She has 2 children, Sierra and Keshaun. She is the praise team leader at her church and serves in other various ministries.