✦ Meet the Team ✦
Our Staff
The people who keep First Presbyterian Pendleton going week to week — in the pulpit, in the office, and everywhere in between.
Pastor
Rev. Jonathan Mitchell
Pastor Jonathan was called to service in Pendleton on June 2, 2019. He serves the congregation through preaching, home visits, and contributing to multiple boards in the church and community. He has a special interest in promoting fair housing and resources for the underserved, and especially enjoys making appearances for Preschool events and helping at Westminster Woods.
In Jonathan’s Own Words
I grew up in Walla Walla, WA. My family faithfully went to church every Sunday. When I graduated from high school, I wanted my independence and went to Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA. After two years, I decided on a career in secondary education. I desired to teach in Washington and began to look for a university closer to home. I went to Seattle Pacific University.
After graduating, I did many different types of teaching jobs, but none of them were satisfying. I returned home to Walla Walla and worked for six years at the housing authority assisting low-income families with stable housing and other services. I learned a great deal about poverty, humanity and myself.
During this time, I became deeply involved in the Presbyterian Church. The community of faith was in transition between pastors and in need of leadership. I was on the session and took up several leadership roles. I preached occasionally, led liturgy and was the youth director for a time. These experiences were deeply satisfying. I was happy with this way of life.
Close friends encouraged me to consider a career in ministry. A move of this magnitude was the furthest thing from my mind. After consultation, prayer, and deep soul searching I began to pursue an adventure at seminary.
The passion for becoming a minister caught fire when I visited Princeton for a student weekend. I was amazed at the professors’ passion for training people to do ministry in their part of the world. The weekend was transformative.
The family pulled up our roots and began an amazing, grace-filled adventure that began at Princeton. I initially served First Presbyterian Church in Idaho Falls, ID and Community Presbyterian Church in St. Anthony, Idaho. After three years, we moved to First Presbyterian in Maryville, Missouri. It was a wonderful decade of service in the rural mid-west.
It was wonderful to move back to the Pacific Northwest. Serving First Presbyterian Church in Pendleton is a deep blessing, and I appreciate the work and cooperation of those in the congregation.
Office Manager
Lisa Messemer
In Mei’s Own Words
My name is Lisa Messemer, and I serve as the Office Manager here at First Presbyterian Church. I was born and raised in Oregon and have lived in several different states over the years. For the past nine years, Pendleton has been home. After retiring from the Health Department, I realized how much I missed being around people and being part of a community — and that led me here.
I have two children — one son and one daughter — and five wonderful grandchildren who live in Central Oregon and Idaho. I enjoy spending as much time with them as possible.
Two years ago, I married my husband, Charles, although most people call him Charlie. He was born and raised in the Bronx, New York, so I often joke that I took a city boy and brought him to the country!
One of my favorite hobbies is riding my Harley-Davidson. I like to call it my mid-life crisis. I was once quoted in a newspaper saying, “You know what a dog feels like when you see their head out the window or riding in the back of a truck with the wind hitting their face. It’s amazing what it does for my mind and soul.”
I am truly enjoying my work and meeting so many new faces in my role here at First Presbyterian Church. I look forward to seeing what life brings in the future.
Get in Touch
Reach Out Anytime
Whether you have a pastoral concern, an office question, or just want to say hello — we’d love to hear from you.