Ruling elders at FPCA are committed to Jesus Christ and to His global kingdom work
through this local church. They are active members of the congregation who are spiritually
mature, actively involved and prayerfully engaged with our church’s ministry and mission.
Ruling elders are the spiritual leaders of the church who serve a three-year term on the
session (our board of elders). The session currently includes twelve ruling elders and two
pastors (or teaching elders), with the Senior Pastor acting as moderator. All of them are
people growing in their faith and partnering in ministry. They do this through a variety of
means: prayer, service, spiritual formation, Bible study, mission endeavors, Sunday School,
small groups, and ministry both within and beyond our church family. Our session members,
meeting together with the power of the Holy Spirit, prayerfully discern the direction that
the Lord is leading us, and then lead, guide and take us in that direction. In this way, we hope
to glorify God and to participate in extending the Lord’s kingdom work and effective will.
Anna Njei
Mission & Evangelism
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I was born in Africa-Cameroon and was baptized in the Presbyterian church in Cameroon. I joined the children’s ministry known as the Young Presbyterian (YP), then later the Christian Youth Fellowship (CYF) and the Christian Women Fellowship (CWF). I was a member of the finance committee of the church before leaving for the US in 2005. I served as an elder in St. John’s Presbyterian Church in California before leaving for Texas with my family in 2010. I have also served as an elder in FPCA. I am married and have three children.
Joyce Stephenson
Bequest and Planned Giving
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I was born and raised in Odessa, Texas. I attended the First Methodist Church until I enrolled at Texas Tech, where I met my husband, Larry Stephenson. We moved to Arlington where I went to work for American Airlines in the Flight Service Recruitment department. I continued to work in Reservations, Fly AAway Vacations, where I visited all the properties we were using on our vacation packages and meeting wholesalers, then finally moved on the the startup of AA.com. I retired after 28 years and worked for Stephenson Consulting Group until 2018. After Larry and I were married I began to attend FPCA. I am active in the Family Living Sunday School class and have previously served as a Deacon/moderator of the Fellowship Team. I am humbled and excited to see how God uses me in service in this church family and to further his kingdom.
Jamie Mickelson
Elder - Discipleship
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Jamie Mickelson was born in Wiesbaden, Germany, while her father served in the military. After retiring from the military, her parents, Mick and Aidelia, moved the family from El Paso to the Metroplex, where they have lived since. She is the youngest of her sisters, Yvonne and Yvette, who are twins. Her nephew and niece, Landon and Lauren Fielder, give her much joy.
Jamie has been a member at FPCA for many years, first with her family, then joining as an adult in 1998. She has made her career at Canon USA’s regional headquarters in Las Colinas since graduating from college. When she’s not working, she enjoys attending BSF, spending time with family and friends, traveling, cooking and watching movies (sleep makes her very happy, as well!).
Jamie has previously served as an elder at FPCA, and currently serves on the Women’s Ministry Team. She hopes to honor the Lord in this next call of service.
Sandy Thomlinson
Elder - Bequest and Planned Giving
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I spent many, many hours in University Heights Baptist Church in Springfield, Missouri, my hometown. My grandparents and my parents were active members and strong Baptists. When I got married, we moved to Arlington where my sister and her husband were living while he was assigned to the Naval base in Grand Prairie. They were members of First Presbyterian Church in Arlington and we visited and immediately felt at home. I was impressed by the worship, which was more formal than what I knew from my former church experience. And I thought the sanctuary was lovely and it was easy to feel the spirit of worship there. We were interested in joining this church and were pleased when the associate pastor, Leon Wilder, came to visit us in our small, furnished apartment near the university. Poor Leon sat down in one of the rickety chairs and it broke, and he landed on the floor. So, of course we decided to join this church. Janie Wesler taught us what we needed to know about being a Presbyterian.
I have served as Elder before and also as Deacon. I have worked with the Fellowship team for several years and in the past was involved with communication and discipleship. I love this church and look forward to serving as an Elder, class of 2025.
Jodie Schenck
Elder - Worship
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Raised in a small-town Methodist church close to our family farm, I had the most wonderful Sunday School teacher, Mrs. Loraine Kirkpatrick who taught me so much about God and the desire to follow Christ. (We continued our friendship until her death in the mid 90’s). In the early 1980’s I joined Central Presbyterian Church in Waxahachie and served as an elder. During my thirty years of teaching school many students were from the Presbyterian Home, and I hoped to guide them as Mrs. Kirkpatrick had me. My husband Dave and I are members of the Friendship Class and are honored to call FPCA our church home.
Peter Formusch
Elder - Worship
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I am one of eight children raised in a Christian home. I am born and raised a Presbyterian. I joined fpca with my family in 2008.
As a family we have been nurtured and have grown both physically and spiritually through the teaching here at FPCA.
It’s a delight to see our children participate in worship through children and youth ministry. I am honored to be given this opportunity to continue my journey with the lord through service to our church family.
My hobbies include fishing and watching podcasts.
Stephanie Arredondo
Mission & Evangelism
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I am a mother, wife, daughter and sister. Aristeo and I have been married since 2007 and we have Mathew (13) and Nicolas (8). I am Senior Project Manager Analyst for JPMorgan Chase. I grew up in Sunset Presbyterian Church, which dissolved when I was a teenager. Our letters were transferred to Oak Cliff Presbyterian. After having our first child, God led us directly to FPCA. We have been with FPCA for 12 years and are so grateful to call it our church home! I have also served as a deacon and currently serve on the Prayer Ministry Team. My great grandmother was one of the very first female deacons and session members for the Presbytery, and it is an honor to serve in this role. It has truly been a blessing being part of the FPCA Congregation.
Manuel LeBlanc
Mission & Evangelism
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I was born and raised in New Iberia, Louisiana, the oldest of seven children. I attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. While in college I met and married Shawn Dennen. We lived in Lafayette, then Southern California before moving to Arlington. Our daughter Emily was then in second grade. She graduated from Martin High School and University of North Texas and is currently teaching English in Seoul, South Korea. I retired as a Senior Facilities Engineer in 2023. I support the FPCA’s HOPE Tutoring program as site manager, Tuesday evenings. When I am not keeping up with house and yard duties, I spend as much time as possible sailing at Lake Arlington and Lake Worth.