Welcome to First Pres!
We’re so glad you’ve found our website and are interested in learning more about us. With a 125-year legacy located in downtown Bakersfield, we are a church and community that is passionately committed to knowing Christ, loving one another and blessing the world. We invite you to take a moment and browse our site to learn more about who we are and how you might become involved in this vibrant community. Click here to view our annual report. Click here to view our by-laws.
Our Structure
First Pres is governed by a body of 18 ordained Elders, called Session, and 7 committees. Our Elders are men and women who meet monthly for three years, with six elders rotating on and off each year. Our committees include a minimum of 2 Elders, one of which is the committee chair, at least one staff representative, and other volunteer members of the congregation. The committees are: Finance, Worship, Discipleship, Membership & Fellowship, Property & Maintenance, Personnel and Missions.
Our Elders
Our Elders provide wisdom and spiritual leadership for our community. 2023-2024 Elders: (back) JB Hay (Property Chair), Jim Conners (Clerk of Session), Pastor Dave Constance (Teaching Elder), Tyson Witcher, John Bair (Discipleship Chair), (middle) Esmeralda Tully, Tracie Monroe, Mitchell Coleman, Jennifer Randel, Sally Herald (Finance Chair), Kimberly Andresen (Worship Chair), Jane Galbreath, (front) Sally Selby, Dan Cronquist (Membership & Fellowship Chair), Steve Gold, Lisa Elliott (Missions Chair), Scott Kuney, and Brian Conner. Not pictured: Mike Abril (Treasurer), John McFarland (Personnel Chair), and John Rodgers.
Our Deacons
Deacons are ordained by the church to embody Christ’s love by demonstrating leadership in serving the sick, the friendless and those in distress, both within and beyond our church family. Deacons serve three-year terms.
2023-2024 Deacons: (back) Cathy Cummings, Karrie Camp, Matt Andresen, Leslie Harvath, David Diosi, Jill Rodriguez, Sharon Knowles, Vicki Billington, Keith Roberts, Sandy Hughes, Marci Fleischer, Kerry Badertscher, Barry Lillie, My Le Diosi, Heather Gold (front) Judy Camp, Jana Peters (moderator), CC Wade, Jesse Cardenas Not pictured: Annette Bridgman, Patricia Cardenas, Robert Cleveland, Marcus Clough, Ramatou Fomusoh, Roger Hess, Katie Irwin, Jeff Smith
Evangelical Presbyterian Church
Our name describes us well. The EPC is both evangelical and Presbyterian. We are evangelical in our zeal for the Gospel, as well as, evangelism, missions and living obediently as followers of Jesus. At the same time, we are rooted deeply in the Protestant Reformation and especially the theological and pastoral work of John Calvin. We embrace the Westminster Confession of Faith as our doctrinal standard and the rule of spiritually mature elders linked together regionally as the best way to guide local congregations.
Vist the EPC website www.epc.org/
Weddings at First Pres
We believe marriage is a covenant between a woman and a man who, before God, make a lifelong commitment to each other. In our wedding ceremonies, we rejoice that marriage is a gift given by God, blessed by Jesus Christ and sustained by the Holy Spirit. For information regarding holding your wedding at First Pres, please contact the church office to make an appointment. To make a payment, click here