As a young girl, Laura was called to be a church organist.  She has spent her life serving churches as organist in NC and TN.  It has been her privilege and pleasure to service this congregation since October 2004. 

She was born at Fort Jackson Army Base in Columbia, SC.  She forgets the year. After her dad completed his service in the Army, they moved to Burlington, NC.  She graduated from the UNC-Greensboro with a Bachelor of Music in Organ Performance.

She is blessed with 2 daughters, 2 sons-in-law, and 4 grandchildren. She is married to her husband, David, and they have combined a lifetime of music careers, faith, and love for sharing our music together. The music plays on, and God continues to open new doors for her. She is now an affiliate broker with a real estate firm here in Johnson City. It has been a blessing to meet new people and serve Him in a different setting.

Jack is originally from Maryland but moved to Johnson City in 2011. After graduating from UTK in 2017, he worked in IT with Chick-fil-A and NAPA Auto Parts. Now he's moved his family back to East TN and is excited to introduce them to the church and the greater community.

Jennifer Jacobs is the Director of Children's and Middle School Ministries. Jennifer is originally from Cleveland, NY, and has lived in Florida and Virginia before settling in Tennessee. Jennifer and her family have called First Presbyterian home since 2005. She has worked with children of all ages here since 2007 and imagines herself doing that for many years to come.  

Jennifer and her husband, Matt, along with their three children can be found camping, hiking, and boating anywhere water is found.  

When she’s not outdoors, Jennifer can be found stitching away in her sewing room.

423-926-5108 Ext. 805

Stacy Larsen has served as the Executive Director of The River since it opened in 2004. She holds a BA from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN with a major of Political Science and minors of Art, Sociology, and Women's Studies. She also has a Master of Education in Early Childhood from ETSU. 

Past jobs include being a librarian, teacher, Family Support Specialist, and working with adults with special needs. 

Stacy is an identical twin and has lived in Iowa, Indiana, Minnesota, and Mississippi. She made Tennessee her home in 1998. After growing up in the Methodist Church, she joined the Presbyterian Church in 2002. 

She has a daughter, Sarah, who lives with her husband in Knoxville and is a speech pathologist. 

In her down time, Stacy likes to be creative, collect buttons, and shop at thrift stores.

Contact: 423-926-8111

Jill is our Director of the Preschool here at First Presbyterian Church.  She grew up in Hendersonville, North Carolina where most of her family still resides.  She graduated from King College (now University) with a B.A. in Bible and Religion and a minor in Child Development.  Before she had her children, Jill was a Director of Children and Youth Ministry at churches in South Carolina, North Carolina, and also right here at First Presbyterian Church.  She has been a part of the preschool since 2010 when her first child attended.  All 3 of her children attended FPC Preschool and she started teaching Pre-K 2 and Pre-K 3 in 2019.  She took over as Director in 2023.  The preschool hall holds a very special place in her heart and she loves ministering to not only the little ones, but to their families as well. 

Jill and her husband Clark have 3 children who keep them very busy.  They enjoy sports, games, spending time with friends and family, and doing home improvement projects.  Jill is a part of the PTA and other school organizations.  She has a passion for early childhood education and would love to welcome you on “the hall” for a visit anytime!

Contact: 423-926-5108 Ext. 806

Dr. Lauren Ramey is the Associate Director of Choral Activities and Director of Music Education at East Tennessee State University, where she conducts BucsWorth Tenor Bass Choir. She also teaches courses in choral conducting and music education. 

Dr. Ramey is originally from Dayton, Ohio and attended the Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University where she received her Bachelor of Music degree in Choral Music Education/Piano Performance and a Master of Education (Choral) degree. 

In 2022, Dr. Ramey earned a Ph.D. in Music Education/Choral Conducting from Florida State University. 

She currently resides in Johnson City, TN with her husband, Clark, and their eight-year-old daughter, Jensen.

Contact: lauren@fpcjc.org