Glorify God - Make Disciples - Meet Human Needs

Matt Mitchell joined us as our 12th Stated Pastor on August 1, 2011. Matt received his B.S. in Occupational Therapy from Texas Tech University and his M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary. Matt had served as Director of Youth and Associate Pastor at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Lubbock, TX.
He and his wife, Ami, are the parents of Lorelei, Will, & Gracelyn.
In his free time, Matt enjoys playing with the kids, golf, hunting, & fishing.

Statement of Faith

I believe God is one yet exists in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit as revealed in Scripture. God, in His very nature, is a relational God. God desires to be known, and throughout history He has continually revealed Himself to humanity. All of humanity has turned away from God and chosen to go their own way. Thus, the human race is separated from God through sin. The consequence for this sin was spiritual death which is eternal separation from God in hell.

God’s love is given to us in the person of Jesus Christ who took all of our sin and paid the price by dying for us, through His atoning work on the cross. Christ died a human death, and was buried. Three days later God conquered death through Christ’s resurrection from death. Jesus was resurrected in His own flesh and blood. He appeared on earth and then ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father. Christ now and forever reigns over His kingdom. Jesus is the one and only Lord and Savior, and the only name by which humanity is saved.

I believe that the Holy Spirit is alive and active in our world. The Spirit convicts people of the truth of God and salvation in Jesus Christ. The Spirit imparts new life and dwells within the believer, sealing them until the day of redemption. It is the Spirit that leads us in mission to witness to the world. The Spirit stirs our hearts to proclaim the gospel, bringing those who are far from Christ near to him. It is the Spirit that transforms us into the people that God desires for us to be.

God’s people make up the Body of Christ as the church. Its mission is to serve people and be a witness to the world. Christ is the head of the church. Christ is committed to and in covenant with the church in all ways. His promise to the Church is expressed in His gift of sacraments. In baptism God puts a sign on us to show that we belong to Him. In baptism God fulfills His promise to us. Baptism is not a private event, but one for the whole body of Christ to witness. It is a time for people to remember their own baptism and to be a supportive and uplifting community to those baptized into a covenant relationship with God.

The Lord’s Supper is the sign of the new covenant we have in Christ. The bread and cup are symbols of Christ’s broken body and bloodshed for us. The table is a place to remember what Christ has done through his death on the cross. It is where the people of God are reminded, humbled, and nourished through the mysterious power of the Holy Spirit. It is a celebration of God’s grace and a sign of His eternal love for us.

I believe that Scripture is the inspired Holy Word of God. Scripture directs us in the way that we may glorify and enjoy God forever. Through the faithful study of God’s Word, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, God’s Word will always lead us to the truth. That truth is Jesus Christ. Scripture should be at the center of our lives, our church, our mission and our relationship with Christ.

Jason received his Master of Divinity from Covenant Theological Seminary in Saint Louis, MO. He also has a B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies from The Texas Tech University. Jason served as the Director of Youth Ministries at Woodland Presbyterian Church (EPC) in Memphis, TN for seven years. He and his wife, Michelle, are the parents of Annabelle and Lillian. In his free time, Jason enjoys running, playing golf, and watching movies. 

Haley was born and raised in Dallas, Texas and got her Bachelors degree in elementary education from The University of Mississippi. She married Graham in 2016 and has three babies: Elliot, Baker and Turner. The Odoms planted roots in Pascagoula in January of 2021, and Haley currently teaches Special Education at Eastlawn Elementary. In her free time she loves to run and workout, travel, go to University Alabama sporting events, and spend time with her family and friends.

Brady received his Bachelor's of Ocean Engineering from Florida Institute of Technology which brought him to the coast to work at Ingalls in 2017. After two years of engineering, he felt called into full-time ministry with the youth outreach ministry, Young Life. Brady grew up in a non-Christian home in Indiana, met the Lord through Young Life when he was in high school, and has been involved with the organization ever since. After 4.5 years with Young Life, where he oversaw ministry in Ocean Springs and started ministry in Pascagoula, he transitioned to become Youth Director. He currently lives in Pascagoula with his wife Kristina and they have one baby, Eli, who is in heaven, and one on the way. They have been members of First Pres since 2019 and Pascagoula has certainly become their home.

Callie is a life-long member of FPC and joined the staff in January 2011. She received a Bachelor's degree in Corporate Journalism from Auburn University and teaching certification in English and Special Education from the University of Mississippi. Callie also works as the librarian at Central Elementary in Pascagoula. Callie and her husband Seth are the parents of Olivia and Rhodes.

Ric, a life-long resident of Ocean Springs, joined our staff in 2010. A graduate of Ocean Springs High School and the University of South Alabama, Ric attended the Eastman School of Music from 1999-2002. A gifted tenor, Ric has sung with the Southern Opera, the Eastman Opera Theatre, the Mississippi Opera, the South Alabama Opera, and the Mississippi Symphony. Ric is currently the music teacher at Jackson Elementary School. He is married to Kate, and they are the parents of Emma and James.

Daniel returned as contemporary worship leader in 2019.  Along with leading worship at FPC, Daniel and his wife Victoria own and manage Crossfit Royal Coast in Pascagoula.  They are also the parents of a little boy, Shepherd.

Mrs. Jan Hardy has the longest tenure on the staff having served as organist and pianist since 1996. Jan received her Bachelors degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and has completed course work toward her Masters degree. Jan has previously served as organist and/or pianist in numerous Mississippi churches. She and Robert Hardy were married in 2010.

Dean is a life-long member of FPC and joined the staff in 2023. He attended culinary school at the Culinary Institute of New Orleans,  and he worked as a chef and owned/operated several restaurants for many years before becoming a sales rep in the food industry.  He is now a Sales Manager with Reinhart Foods, and stays very busy after work coaching and volunteering with his children's activities. Dean and his wife Brittany are the parents of Ruby, Nixon, Sunny, Chloe and Coleman.  

Kim has served as Administrative Assistant since 2006.  She is married to Rick Nyers and together they have four children, five grandchildren, and one beloved dog, Daisy. Kim enjoys spending time with her family and friends.