FPC Conversations

This September, we sent a team of 7 from Fresno to Korea where they partnered with REAH International. During this experience, the team was exposed to what God is currently doing in the Korean peninsula and had an opportunity to pray and worship with hundreds of others in the international community engaging the people of North Korea. In today's episode, Dan Kimball and Jamie Franklin lead an insi...

In this conversation, you’ll meet Brady Crow. Brady's story includes the people who influenced and helped pull him grow closer to God, his love for playing baseball, and his calling to work with students. Dan Kimball and Jamie Franklin chat with Brady about how he ended up at First Pres., what he has learned from working with students in youth ministry, and how God is currently working in his...

Today we get to listen into a conversation with George and Michelle Smith as they sat down with Dan Kimball and talked about their call to adoption and the ups and downs along the way. The Smiths have a deep faith, and share about their passions, kids, and following God's call in their relationship and careers. I’m pretty sure you’re going to enjoy this conversation with George and Michelle.

In this conversation, we get to hear from Dennis DuPertuis, who started coming to First Pres in the early 1970’s and has served the church in a variety of capacities. Dennis shares about his faith, his long career in education, his reluctant call to serve on a mission trip which helped shape his world view, and more recently how he has found a new calling to service following the loss of his wife...

John and Suzi Martin met at First Pres through some mutual friends. They married, started a family, and were active, long-time members of the church community. Not long after their children were born, Suzi was diagnosed with MS. The progression of the disease changed the course of their lives, and yet they did not waver in their love for Jesus. In this conversation, John shares personally & ho...

In today's conversation, you are going to hear the story and faith background of Wil Murray. Will sits down with Dan Kimball and shares his story of growing up in a small rural town in Northern California, how he met his wife Melissa, his career path in mechanical engineering, and how a neighbor's invitation to church led Melissa and eventually Wil to faith as adults. I am confident you wi...

In today's conversation, you are going to meet JP and Chrisie Pereira who sit down with Jamie Franklin and Dan Kimball and share their story. The Pereiras talk about the unique circumstances in how they met, their diverse faith backgrounds, career aspirations and the reasons why they returned to Fresno and specifically to First Pres. You will be encouraged and challenged by today's convers...

At 8 years old, Kao Ta Saelee came to Fresno in the 1980's as part of a large group of South East Asian refugees who came to the United States at that time and hundreds of families who settled in the Lowell neighborhood. In today's conversation, you are going to hear the story of how the people who loved Kao Ta as a young boy, showed him Gods love and some of the challenges he has faced th...

In today's conversation, you are going to meet Ben and Ashley Wiele. The Wiele's join Jamie Franklin and Andy Moeschberger for a fun, open, and honest conversation about their faith, how they met, their journey as a couple, and lessons they are learning together about parenthood, careers, God, and each other. Please enjoy today's conversation with Ben and Ashley.

In today's conversation, you are going to meet Ian and Charity. They sit down with Jamie and Dan and share their journey of growing up in Fresno, the unique way they met and both pursued a career in criminal law and how they feel a deep conviction and God's call in their work.  Please enjoy today's conversation with Ian and Charity.

Jay Pope is an established Clinical Psychologist and Professor in Fresno, who has a passion for building relationships with people, helping churches come together, growing in his walk with Christ, and also has a deep love for his family and sports. In today's FPC Conversation, you are going to hear Jay's story of switching paths from his dream job to meeting his wife and how the Lord has u...

Biblical and Religious Studies Professor Brian Schultz has spent more than a decade living and studying in Israel, and has spent a large portion of his life and career studying literature, Hebrews, and the bible. In today's FPC Conversation, you are going to hear Brian's story and his path from growing up in Europe, being called to Fresno to teach, and his passion for lifelong learning of...

In today's conversation, you are going to meet Gerre Brenneman. Gerre shares her story with Jill Freeman about her faith journey, how she was called to lead a local nonprofit The Evangel Home for 30 years, how she has used humor and fun in her life, and how she still feels God is not done using her as she continues to find ways to serve FPC and the community. I hope you enjoy today's conve...

Reza and his wife Fahi grew up and were educated in the country of Iran. Along with their two daughters, they navigated family and work life in a culture with influences and pressures that we are not accustomed to in the United States. You are about to hear of the Ebrahimi's incredible journey together as they share with all of us through the conversation they had with Jamie Franklin and Andy...

For both students and parents choosing the right college can be challenging and scary. In today's conversation, Dan Kimball sits down with Allie Hartsell and Claire Predmore, 2 college students who grew up at First Pres. and are navigating and living out their faith at their college campuses.  Allie and Claire share about their faith journeys, the process of choosing a school, making friends,...

In today's conversation, you are going to meet Danny and Novella Dean. The Deans sit down with Dan Kimball and share their story of how two people from very different backgrounds were brought together and quickly realized how many similarities they had with each other. The Deans share openly and honestly about their passions, families, and following God's call in their relationship and car...

In 2017 First Pres. Fresno began a partnership with the Coalition for Christian Outreach also known as the CCO. Through this partnership and the Pink House program, FPC has been blessed with a number of young adults who have come to Fresno to work, serve, and become a part of the church and community at large. In today's conversation, you are going to meet Jordan Greynolds who came to Fresno f...

Anita Ullner has been teaching 6th-grade students at Manchester Gate School in Fresno for almost her entire career. What many people do not know is how Anita became a teacher, her switch in career path, and her journey of being led into the job she loves so deeply. In today's conversation, you are going to hear a journey of faith, risk, joy, obedience, loss, and God's faithfulness in the l...

In today's conversation, you are going to hear the story of Val Spongberg as accompanied by her daughter Laura. You will hear of her family, faith, and vocational journeys which spanned multiple coasts over the decades. A retired librarian, the wife of an Air Force chaplain, daughter of a Gold Assayer, mother of four and an ongoing friend to many, you will be enchanted and encouraged by this l...

In today's conversation, you are going to hear the story of Oscar Rodriguez who currently serves as the Executive Director of Martin Park, which is a ministry to the neighbors in the Lowell Neighborhood. Oscar shares his journey of growing up in the Webster neighborhood, struggling in school at a young age, seeking approval from the wrong group of friends, joining a gang, struggling with addic...

In today's conversation, Scott Mozier joins Jamie Franklin and Dan Kimball. Scott shares his faith journey, how he was called to Fresno, and talks openly about his career in City Government as well as the challenges and lessons he has learned while trying to trust God in his various roles inside the city. Please enjoy today's conversation.

This past July, 12 students and 4 leaders from FPC spent a week of service and learning in San Francisco with the mission organization Youth With a Mission, also known as YWAM. The FPC team stayed and served in the Tenderloin District which has one of the highest density of unhoused people in the city and region. In today's conversation, you are going to meet some of the students and a volunte...

In today's conversation you are going to meet Andrew and Aubrey Love. The Loves share their journey of growing up in a small mountain community, both dealing with broken family relationships at a young age, and how God brought them together, restored their faith, and delivered healing and wholeness to their lives. Please enjoy today's conversation.

In today's conversation you are going to meet the Minister of Disciple Making at FPC, Jon Jo. Jon was called to FPC and joined the staff in early 2023. Jon joins Jamie Franklin and Dan Kimball to share his story of growing up in different countries, wresting with and understanding his Korean heritage, finding his faith, meeting his wife and discovering his call into full-time ministry. Jon als...

In today's conversation, you are going to meet Mitch and Nancy Maler. The Malers sit down with Dan Kimball and share their story of raising a child with disabilities and how they have felt God's hand in all of the details along the way. You will hear how they are currently finding encouragement at FPC, as well as some of the people who have been an encouragement to them along the way. Plea...