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Central Staff

Email addresses are: firstinitiallastname@dmcpc.org.

Pastor Jim Wallace
Photos by Bill Nellens
The Reverend Dr. James L. Wallace, Pastor
Jim Wallace, a life-long Iowan, was born in Cedar Rapids. He graduated from Wheaton College (Illinois) and received his Master of Divinity degree from McCormick Theological Seminary in 1986. He received his Doctor of Ministry in Preaching from McCormick in 1996 and was awarded the John Randall Hunt Prize for Outstanding Doctor of Ministry Thesis. Jim’s pastorates include New London, Iowa (1986-1992) and Keokuk, Iowa (1992-1999). He began his ministry at Central on June 1, 1999. He has been active in all aspects of presbytery leadership and presently serves on the Professional Care and Development Committee for the Des Moines Presbytery, as well as on the Government Relations Advisory Council for Broadlawns Medical Center. He is married to Anne. They have three daughters.
   
Ken Davis Kenneth R. Davis, Minister of Music
Ken grew up in Bloomington, IL, where he sang in  Presbyterian and Methodist choirs. His B.M Degree, in organ and vocal music education, is from Millikin University. Additional graduate studies in choral conducting and choral music education were completed at Arizona State University. Prior to beginning at Central in January 2001, Ken served churches in Ohio, New Mexico, Arizona and Arkansas. His experience includes directing choirs of all ages, as well as developing annual choir tours, camps, retreats and fine arts series.
   
Mary Gordon

Mary Gordon, Director of Christian Education and Youth
Mary graduated from Roosevelt High School and received a Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Specialist’s Degrees from Drake University. She enjoyed 37 years in the Des Moines Public Schools as a teacher, reading and math program coordinator, and elementary principal. She retired from her last position as Principal of Greenwood Elementary in June of 2007. She was honored in 2008 to receive the Life Achievement Award from the Iowa P.T.A.  as well as the Distinguished Alumni Award for 2008 from Drake University’s School of Education.

   
Jan Stewart Husby Jan Stewart Husby, Assistant to CE Director
   
Danette Griffith Danette Griffith, Program Coordinator
Danette grew up in Park Rapids, Minn. and has a BA in German from the University of Minnesota, Morris. She has worked in communications at Concordia University, St. Paul, Minn., Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church, Prior Lake, Minn. and for the Minneapolis Area Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Most recently, she was Senior Writer for the Marketing and PR Department at Simpson College, Indianola. Danette has been published in The Lutheran, Sunday Monday Woman, The Metro Lutheran, The Lutheran Witness, Lutheran Women Today, The Concordia Magazine,
and The Simpson Magazine. She designed and produced all print materials and publicity for four capital fund appeals. She is married to Dr. Steve Griffith.
   
 
    
Sheri Egge,
Administrative Assistant
Sheri assists the Pastor and Session in their clerical work. She is responsible for worship bulletins, calendar and scheduling of rooms, weddings, and is the co-editor of the monthly newsletter, The Cent-inel.
Nancy Bassett,
Church Accountant
Nancy works at Central on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday to help us be good stewards of the money that is pledged each year by our members. Contact her with any questions that involved our congregation's finances.
 
   
Lois Harms, Organist
Lois began playing the organ in sixth grade at the Methodist church in Britt, Iowa. She earned a BA degree from the University of Iowa and Master of Music degree from Drake University, followed by 12 years of organ study with Dr. Frank Jordan on Central’s Aeolian-Skinner organ. She joined Central's music staff in 1989. She currently teaches organ, piano and clarinet at Grand View College and accompanies the Grand View Chorale. She is the primary accompanist for the Iowa Youth Choruses and regularly performs on the clarinet and basset horn in the Stadler Ensemble.
   
Sue Hudson, Mörgen Bells Director
Shortly after Sue joined Central in 1989, she became our first handbell director. Sue is a Drake University graduate in piano and currently teaches 50+ piano students weekly. Central's Mörgen (German for morning) Bell Choir has performed at other churches and community events in Central Iowa. Sue has directed handbell choirs since 1964.
   
No Photo Available Kristin Johnson, Treble Choir Director
Kristin had been a valuable helper for the Treble Choir even before she accepted the position of Director when the choir's founder retired. Kristin, who has her BA in music from the University of Iowa, is an accomplished musician who has sung in Central's adult choirs and plays in the
Mörgen Bells. Her energy and ability to have fun with her choir, Kindergarten through 2nd grade, makes this choir a delightful introduction to life-long church choir musicianship while teaching children about God.
   
No Photo Available Patrick & Stephanie Casey, Resident Caretakers
No Photo Available Evy Hansen, Tutoring Coordinator

 
 

Central Presbyterian Church

Address

3829 Grand Avenue (at 39th St)
Des Moines, IA 50312

Email Us
office@dmcpc.org

Phone
515-279-3658
Fax
515-279-3651

Pastor
The Rev. Dr. James L. Wallace

Director of Christian Education and Youth
Mary Gordon

Minister of Music
Kenneth Davis

Program Coordinator
Danette Griffith

Church Accountant
Nancy Bassett

Church Office Hours
Monday through Friday:
8:00 am - 4:00 pm