Meet Our Pastors
Question of the Month...
What book are you currently reading? (Besides Prodigal God)

Jack Peebles Senior Pastor / Head of Staff

Current Read : Jacob and the Prodigal: How Jesus Retold Israel's Story by Kenneth E. Bailey. From black and white to color!  For anyone looking to examine its richer, deeper meanings, this is an incredible examination of one of Jesus' most important parables and the culture in which it was told.
Jack was called to serve as Senior Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Yakima in March of 2008.  Jack first sensed a call to ministry after serving on a mission trip to the Yucatan in Mexico.  During that trip, he offered   ... more

Mark Tumney

Associate Pastor / Families & Missional Outreach

Current Read : The Forgotten Ways, Reactivating the Missional Church, by Alan Hirsh. It a challenging conversation about the ways in which we need to reorient the church to participate fully in God's mission today. 
Both Stephanie and I want to express just how excited and humbled we are to come and serve with you all in Yakima! One of the primary reasons ... more

Jim Erixson

Associate Pastor / SeniorAdult Ministries & Congregational Care

Current Read : Good To Great In God's Eyes by Chip Ingram
An easy read which gives me ten new practical steps in my faith.
Jim Erixson joined the pastoral staff at First Pres in 2001.  Jim attended San Francisco Theological Seminary and spent two years as an intern in Hospital Chaplaincy.  Jim served as a Staff Chaplain for six years at   ... more

Steve Barker

Pastor Emeritus

Current Read : Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith by Anne Lamott
Known as the Rhino of First Presbyterian Church, Steve Barker joined the pastoral staff at FPC in 1984. He served as a campus pastor at Harvard, MIT, the Claremont Colleges, and Occidental College for 15 years. Steve also taught evangelism and campus ministry at Fuller   ... more

Bill Starr

Parish Associate

Current Read : These Signs Shall Follow by Aaron McMahon
...exciting, challenging and a bit scarry as they push an old Presbyterian to think and pray outside the box...
Dr. Bill Starr is our Parish Associate (volunteer staff) and has worked full-time as the Chaplain at the Sundown M Ranch for 11 years.  He has  ... more