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.
Gala Dubois
Mission and Evangelism
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Originally from Dallas, I have been an Arlington resident since 1988. While living in Dallas I attended Oak Cliff Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and was an active participant in the youth programs. During that time, I was baptized and made my profession of faith.
First Presbyterian Church has been my church home since 2008. I am a member of the Bible Study Sunday School class where we study his word by reading and focusing on one chapter a week. I have previously served as an Elder and participated on the Administration, Finance, and Bequest & Planned Giving teams.
I am thankful the Lord led me to First Presbyterian Church, a community of thoughtful, caring individuals that continually put their faith in to action. I am excited to grow in my relationship with the Lord and I look forward to seeing where He is leading FPCA in the future.
Suzie McCoy
Mission and Evangelism
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I am committed to serving our Lord, Jesus Christ and am honored to be nominated again for Elder. I grew up at FPCA and greatly enjoyed my time in youth group and Agapes (youth choir). As a long-time member of FPCA, I regularly attend worship and Sunday School. I have previously served as an elder on Session from 2017-2019. For the past four years, I have served as moderator and co-moderator of the Mission and Evangelism team. During my time with FPCA, I have served as a member of the Belize Mission Leadership team, Congregational Nominating Team member, a children and youth Sunday School teacher, youth group adult leader, a member of a past associate pastor nominating committee, and a facilitator for my adult Sunday School class. Finally, I was also blessed to have led several of our spring mission trips to Belize – traveling as a participant or leader for 11 years to Belize.
I am passionate about how we can serve Christ here at FPCA, locally in the community, and internationally. I believe it is important to take our decisions, trials, and blessings to the Lord in prayer, to ask for guidance and support as we strive to live as God would have us live our lives. I am the daughter of Kathy McCoy and have a very cute 4-year-old dog named Bailey.
Judy Northup
Mission and Evangelism
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In this last third of my life (so far), I have come back to a closeness with God that makes my heart happy most every day. I won’t say I always make the right choices, but I certainly have come to understand why outcomes occur as they do. I have gone back to the life rules established in the Bible, and I start out each morning thanking God for loving me and for sending Jesus Christ to die for my sins.” About five years ago, I wrote my faith statement which has been pretty evenly divided into thirds, with the prior sentences being where I was then. I’m happy to say they are still representative of my walk with God today, and I feel blessed. I have been a member of FPCA since I was old enough to join and began worshipping here when the church building was located downtown. I went to Sunday School as a child and taught pre-school Sunday School for many years.
I sang in the choir as a youth and teen and rang bells as an adult. I helped with many events at the church over the years. I have been moderator for two Pastor Nominating Committees. I have served as a Deacon, Elder, member of the Congregational Nominating Team and Trustee. Not only was I raised in the church, I raised my daughters, Laura and Lesley in the church. Both girls were active in the church. Laura taught in the Preschool, and both girls children attended FPPS preschool. When I married again in 1989, Mike and I were married in the Chapel. It has been several years since I served as Elder, and I feel blessed to be called to serve God again in this role for FPCA. I’m excited about where God is leading us and prayerful about how we will best be able to accomplish His works as we transform life in and through our church family.
