Leadership Staff at First Pres

PW Moderator..............................................................Betty Skladal

Staff Bios

Rev. Peter Loughman

Senior Pastor

Rev. Peter Loughman has been the senior pastor at First Presbyterian Anchorage since 2003.  Originally from Denver Colorado, Peter grew up in the San Francisco Bay area and has been a pastor in Oklahoma and San Antonio, (remember the Alamo) Texas before arriving in Alaska.  Peter and his wife Katie have two children, Spencer and Emily – they just love Alaska.

Peter received his M.Div. and M.A.C.E. from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a B.A. in Rhetoric from California State University, Hayward.

The Scripture verse that drives Peter in him ministry is 2 Corinthians 2:15, “For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.”  I think of this verse in terms of movie popcorn; you go out to dinner and eat so much you don’t even want to think of dessert.  Yet, after dinner, when you sit down in the movie theater, the aroma of movie popcorn surrounds you, overwhelms your senses – it doesn’t matter how full you are, you have to have it.  You get up and buy a big tub with extra butter.  Now the movie experience is complete.

In the same way, I believe we can live our lives in such a way that we draw people to the irresistible grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.  People around us fill themselves with so many things trying to fill that spiritual void never thinking that Jesus Christ is the one who will complete their lives.  Imagine, being used by the Holy Spirit to enrich and change everyone you come in contact with, how wonderful the grace of God is!

Michael Brunstetter

Worship Leader

Contemporary Worship Service

Michael Brunstetter is our Worship Leader for the Contemporary Service.  Born and raised in northeastern Pennsylvania, he obtained his B.S. in Secondary Education at East Stroudsburg University and has been teaching for four years.  He is currently enrolled at Summit Bible College where he is working towards a Masters of Theology in Worship. Mike has over eight years of worship-leading experience.  He and his wife, Alison, recently moved to Alaska because they felt called to ministry at First Pres.  His favorite verse is Romans 12:1 & 2.  “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.  Do not conform any longer to the pattern of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is--His good, pleasing, and perfect will.”

 Mark Allio

Director of Youth Ministries

Mark was born and raised in Clarion, Pennsylvania and attended Clarion University where he graduated with a BA in Philosophy.  Throughout college he volunteered as a youth leader and felt God’s call to continue working with teenagers, young adults, and their families.  He was married on July 9^th to his high school sweet heart, Carrie. “We feel blessed to be here, for you all have shown us Christ’s love and have welcomed us in ways we have never know before.  Thank you.  Carrie and I look forward to the times to come.  Alaska Rocks!”

Katie Loughman

Interim Christian Ed Director

Jan Gruhn

Organist

Jan Gruhn has been an organist and accompanist at First Presbyterian Church for over 18 years.  She has degrees from the University of Montana and the University of Alaska Anchorage.  Now retired from the Anchorage School District, where she taught English at the secondary level, she spends her time at the organ and with her family, which includes two grown sons and two young grandchildren, all of whom live in Anchorage.

Marie Matetich

Organist

Director of Handbell Choir

Janet Stiles

Choir Director

Janet was born and raised in southern New Jersey where she started playing organ for a small country church at age 12 and, for more years than she cares to think about, has served as organist and/or choir director at various churches. She did her undergraduate music studies at Gettysburg College and received a B.S. degree in music education from the University of Wisconsin Madison. After teaching classroom music for 25 years, Janet retired from the Anchorage School District and is currently working part time as staff accompanist for the music dept. at the University of Alaska Anchorage. She has 2 grown children and, in addition to her music, enjoys quilting and spending time with her special grandson in Palmer.

Larissa Melnik

Pianist

Gary Jackson

Church secretary

Nicole Brown

Finance Secretary

Dorothea Lovejoy Librarian