Meet Our Church Staff

Shawn Wallace grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He earned a Bachelors of Business Administration from Texas Christian University (TCU), in Fort Worth, Texas in 2001. He earned a Masters of Divinity from Brite Divinity School in 2005, and was ordained thereafter. Shawn has previously served churches in Amarillo, Wichita Falls, and McKinney, Texas, ministering to youth, young adults, and their families. 

Shawn met his wife, Michelle, at TCU. When Michelle moved to Boston in 2006 to study for her masters degree, Shawn followed and looked for employment in the Boston area, so they could continue their relationship. They were married in July of 2007. 

While in Boston, Shawn felt God's calling to serve and learn in an urban, African-American congregation. For two years, Shawn served as a Pastoral Resident at Charles Street African Methodist Episcopal Church. At Charles Street, Shawn honed his preaching voice and learned about the beautiful excitement and emotionality of African-American worship.

When his time at Charles Street came to an end, Shawn was called to be the Senior Pastor at First Christian Church here in Rogers, Arkansas, beginning in 2009.

Shawn has a calling from the Lord to pastor a congregation that seeks to more closely live into being the kingdom of God here on earth as a racially and culturally diverse community. He hopes that different groups of people would come to know each other better and seek to mutually aid each other so that all may be truly free and filled with God’s abundant life. Shawn also hopes that our congregation would serve as an example and a beacon of light to other churches so that the entire body of Christ could someday truly be one.

In his free time Shawn enjoys playing soccer, wake boarding, rock climbing, snow skiing, and snowboarding. He and Michelle enjoy country, swing, and salsa dancing together. They have a black lab named Daisy and a new daughter on the way! Shawn is an avid TCU fan and was honored to serve as "Superfrog," the TCU mascot, for six years.

Ronny grew up in Abilene and Wichita Falls, Texas.  He received his Bachelor of Social Work degree from Midwestern State University in 1991.  The emphasis of Ronny's studies were in drug and alcohol abuse counseling.  After a year of internships at local and state hospitals, Ronny chose to go into the ministry.  He earned his Masters of Divinity from Brite Divinity on the TCU campus in 1995.

Ronny has been active leading youth ministries since 1991.  His love for young people and vision for helping to raise a new generation of faithful Christians keep him focused in that direction.  Coming to First Christian in June of 1998, Ronny has successfully grown a flourishing, award-winning  youth program -- CROSS-Training -- and heads up "The Gathering," our Celebrate Recovery ministry.  In addition, he has led several mission trips and shares in all ministries of the church.

Susan has been leading children through childhood all of her life. A mother of three successful, grown children, Susan has contributed to the raising of literally hundreds of children through her directorship of Jack and Jill Preschool and now First Friends, an Arkansas Better Beginnings Accredited school.  For more information about First Friends visit http://firstfreinds.28association.

Her credentials include Child Development Specialist, Child Development Associate and the Arkansas Children's Program Administrator Credential.  She has been a driving force in the First Christian children's ministry for over 20 years. She was highly instrumental in the planning and building of the beautiful Mary Ruth Garner Children's Center, which opened in fall of 2005 and houses the school for children ages 3-5 years, church nursery, children's church, and preschool Sunday School. 

Susan coordinates our annual  5K Fun Run, Vacation Bible School and Children's Christmas Program.  She also recruits for other ministry opportunities such as Children's Sharing Time and leaders for children/youth Sunday School classes. Along with Associate Pastor Ronny Nowell, she leads the Child and Personnel Protection Policy training. 

Wendell has served as Director of Music Ministries since 2005. A preacher's son, Wendell grew up singing gospel music with his family and just never stopped. He was the youngest member of the founding Arkansas Boys Choir and singing roles led him to discover a liking for acting.  Wendell studied vocal performance and music education at the University of Arkansas. 

The choir has grown, thrived and performed beautiful music week after week with special cantatas at both Christmas and Easter; crazy Choir Follies have raised funds for special needs; and dramatic production peeks in from time to time to liven things up -- all under Wendell's direction.

Matt Wood is a life-long member of First Christian Church, Rogers. Matt currently serves as the Director of K'SPLAT, a ministry for children grades kindergarten through 4th grades.  K'SPLAT is a fun, exciting, and energetic Bible study on Sunday mornings designed to teach young children about their faith in the Lord, and help them development meaningful and fulfilling relationships with Jesus Christ.  "Coach Wood", as he has become known, led the outreach ministries of SummerShine Day Camp and Character Care After-School Program at First Christian Church from 2005 - 2010.  He is also a Math teacher at Pea Ridge Middle School.  Coach Wood is the son of Susan Erickson, who is the Director of Christian Education and First Friends School.  He is married to Sara Wood.