FPC Conversations

Last episode, # 67, we heard from Sarah Tacchino, who serves as an intern with the Coalition for Christian Outreach here at First Pres. This week is part two of learning more about the young people who are ministering to college students through the CCO. In this conversation, you’ll meet three young adults who all came to Fresno to be a part of the CCO Ministry Apprentice Program. Mkayy Bangura ,...

In 2017, FPC Fresno entered into a partnership with the Coalition for Christian Outreach, better known as the CCO. Since that time, First Pres has been blessed to watch numerous college-age students grow in their walk with Jesus through Programs, gatherings, outreach events, and the annual Jubilee Conference in Pittsburgh. In today’s conversation, you’ll hear from one of these young adults, Sarah...

In today’s conversation, you get to listen to the conversation Craig and Kathy Hartsell had with Dan Kimball. They share more about their faith backgrounds, how they met, their call to serve in the church, parenthood, and the lessons they are continuing to learn together as they grow in their faith. We hope you enjoy getting to know Craig and Kathy in this episode.

In today’s episode, you will meet Melanie Franz, who has been a part of FPC for most of her life. She has blessed many people of all ages and stages by serving in a variety of ministries throughout the years. Melanie and her husband Jim have faithfully followed their call to build deep relationships with people and share their love for Jesus in their daily lives. Melanie joined Dan Kimball for a c...

In this episode, we’re getting to know Brad Stevens, who has been a faithful behind-the-scenes servant in our community for several years.  Brad sat down with Dan Kimball for a conversation about his career as a police officer in Fresno; mentors who have influenced his faith, both as a cop and in life; and how he wanted to “stay in the game” post-retirement.  Brad talks about why he is excited abo...

In today’s episode, you get to meet Dave and Kim Peltola. They joined Jamie Franklin and Dan Kimball for a fun and uplifting conversation about how they met, sought the Lord as newlyweds, the connections that pointed them to FPC, and how they have obeyed the Lord’s call for them to serve behind the scenes. Dave and Kim also share honestly about the new season of life they are experiencing and list...

In today’s episode, you are going to get to know our Minister of Congregational Care, Jamie Mack, and her husband, Randy, two people who are partners in family, ministry, and life. They share about how they met, their commitment to the Lord’s call in their lives, and their passion for creating community and building relationships with people in the neighborhoods they have lived. The Macks have qui...

In November 2025, First Pres sent a team of 32 Men of different ages and stages from Fresno to Tijuana, where they partnered with Doxa, a house-building Ministry in Mexico. During this 4-day trip, the team was tasked to build three houses for families in need, as well as being exposed to what God is currently doing in this area through this ministry. In today's episode, Dan Kimball and Jamie F...

Joshua and Kim Salven sit down with Dan and Suzanne Kimball to talk about the unique way the Lord brought them together, some of their own challenges before they met, and their call to service and careers. The Salvens have a deep faith and share about their passions, kids, and following God's call in their relationship and careers. I am confident you’re going to enjoy getting to know Joshua an...

In this episode, you’ll get to know Koby Johns, who has been a part of the First Pres community for many years. Koby joined Dan Kimball for an engaging conversation about his call to ministry, how the lord led him to become a firefighter, and how he has navigated some faith challenges. Koby talks honestly about what brings him joy in this season of life. Enjoy today's conversation with Koby Jo...

In this conversation, you will meet Ethan Andrews, one of the First Pres young adults. Ethan joined Dan Kimball and Jamie Franklin for a conversation about moving to Fresno for work, how he found First Pres and made it his church home, his joy in meeting and interacting with people, how he has made a health diagnosis an opportunity, and his involvement in launching the young adult ministry at FPC....

In this episode, you will meet Dianne McKneely, a woman with a heart of service and a prayer warrior. Dianne and her husband, Jerry have been a part of First Pres for several years, and Dianne has faithfully followed her call to prayer ministry and obedience, sharing how the Lord speaks to her and through her to others. Dianne joins Dan Kimball & Jamie Franklin for a conversation about being a...

In today’s episode, you will meet two global workers who have blended their careers as doctors with their profound love for Jesus. Dan Kimball and Jamie Franklin were able to catch up with them during a visit in Fresno. You’ll hear about their faith background, call to the medical field, and their journey to move across the globe to share the love of God.

Randy joined Dan Kimball for a conversation about how he continues to live into God’s calling in this season of his life, navigating the sudden loss of a best friend, and about his new novel, Consummation.

In this week's episode, you will get to know Scott and Wendy Norvell. Scott and Wendi sat down with Dan Kimball and Jamie Franklin to discuss their faith backgrounds, how they met, their call to serve in the church, the things they are passionate about, and the lessons they are learning together about grief, loss, and how God is currently stirring in them. I think you are going to enjoy gettin...

In today’s episode, you are going to meet the 2025 Summer Staffers. This group of 6 young adults has made a huge impact on our ministries and families at First Pres. Dan Kimball sat down with the summer staff for a conversation about their own faith stories, how they were called to serving at FPC, things they learned through the program, and how they are each growing in their walk with the Lord. W...

In today’s episode, you will meet Forest and Lynnese Castle, who joined Jamie Franklin and Dan Kimball for an uplifting conversation about how they met, sought the Lord as a young couple, listened to God’s call in their professional and personal lives, as well as their commitment to sharing God’s love along the way. The Castles have a huge heart for sharing Jesus with others and loving their neigh...

This week, in our 51st episode, you get to hear from a true behind-the-scenes servant, Ataloa Woodin. For the past 11 years, Ataloa has been serving as the Administrator to the pastors at FPC, and recently she has moved into the position of the Business Director. Ataloa not only has some incredible insights on working behind the scenes at FPC, but she also has served in a pastor role for some loca...

In this episode, you get to hear from our Senior Pastor’s other half, Diane Vaccaro. She might be known to you, but have you heard her testimony? Diane sat down with Dan & Suzanne Kimball for a fun and insightful conversation about her faith background, impactful moments that shaped her faith, family, motherhood, and her partnership with Jeremy. Please enjoy today's conversation with Diane...

In this episode, you get to meet Olivia Mannix, one of the young adults at FPC who works in the medical field. She’s married to Connor, a Navy Pilot.  Olivia sat down with Jamie Franklin and Dan Kimball for an insightful conversation about her faith background, how she left Fresno and came back, her call to the medical field, and how she navigates life as a military spouse. Please enjoy today'...

Paul and Lori Meadors sat down with Dan Kimball and Jamie Franklin for a fun and insightful conversation on how they met, their faith, things they are passionate about, and lessons they are learning together about parenthood, careers, God, and each other. I'm confident you are going to enjoy today's conversation with the Meadors.

Jean Chaffee spent 28 years as a teacher and principal of a K-8 school and In 1987, following her marriage to Paul Chaffee, Jean Chaffee became involved in the Fresno Chaffee Zoo as a zoo docent. Following that, Jean spent over 30 years staying active in sharing her faith, serving others, traveling, and pursuing one of her biggest passions of wildlife and a deep appreciation of God's creatures...

In this episode, Sophia Steele, FPC’s high school minister joins Dan Kimball and Jamie Franklin, where she shares openly and honestly about the impact of growing up at First Pres, faith questions that have challenged her, and some of the people who influenced and helped her grow closer to God. As you will hear, Sophia has a huge heart for the Lord. She talks about her calling to the church staff a...

It’s not every day that you meet an Olympic athlete at church. In 1958, a Roosevelt High School junior girl hit the national headlines when she won the National Junior Women’s Three Meter Diving Championship in an AAU meet held in Fresno. Barbara McAllister, now Andrews, went on from this promising beginning to a notable world-class career in diving, spring board, and platform. Barb won a gold med...

In this week's episode, you are going to meet and get to know Terry Jaurena. Terry has held many titles in her 31 years on staff at First Presbyterian Church Fresno. Each title has had a mission focus, but currently, she is the Mission and Connections Minister. Her ministry focus is on missions, communication and how we welcome new people to our church family. Please enjoy this deeply personal con...