Leadership

Leadership

Each Presbyterian Church is governed by its Session which includes the ruling elders and the Ministers of Word and Sacrament or teaching elders. The church staff helps to enable and equip the ministry of the congregation.

STAFF

John Davis

Pastor
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Painter, bartender, rock-n-roll musician, salesperson and minister. John Davis has experienced many things, including his role as pastor of Springdale Presbyterian Church. Born, raised and educated in Richmond, Va., John served as the Pastor of Kanawha United Presbyterian Church in Charleston, West Virginia immediately prior to joining Springdale in 2010. Through the years, John’s ministry has been centered on the twofold task of spreading the good news of God’s love while working for social justice. "One without the other," he says, "presents an incomplete picture of what our Lord’s earthly ministry was all about." One area of emphasis has been working with congregations to provide affordable housing to folks in need. John served on the Board of Directors for both Habitat for Humanity and West Virginia/Kanawha Valley Homes, and served in leadership roles with Kanawha Pastoral Counseling Center and Davis and Elkins College. He has actively taken roles to shape high school and college students, speaking to retreats and serving on a committee helping prepare those for ministry. John was graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Virginia Commonwealth University, and earned a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry from Union Theological Seminary. John has two children - one in elementary, one in middle school, and he enjoys cooking, backpacking, reading, strumming the guitar, and playing racquetball.

Jean Davidson

Associate Pastor
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The Rev. Jean Davidson is Associate Pastor at Springdale Presbyterian. Her particular areas of interest are the PYC (youth) and Spiritual Nurture. She also has other general pastoral responsibilities. She is a graduate of Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA. She is a Certified Christian Educator. She served as Associate at First Presbyterian Church in Talledega, AL, and Bellevue Presbyterian Church in Nashville, TN before coming to Springdale June 1, 2001. Jean grew up in Knoxville, Tenn. She has been a school teacher (7th grade life science), a paleoecologist, and a presbytery youth ministry director. She likes to read, take photographs, match visuals and texts, and look at vegetation and water.

June Dean

Office Manager
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June came to Springdale in August 1998. She and her husband, Brian, have six grown children and a granddaughter. June worked for the Assemblies of God and Methodist churches before coming to Springdale. She has sung with church choirs, taught children’s and adult Sunday School classes, and played with church softball and volleyball teams. June is also a Notary Public. She enjoys reading, taking walks and spending time with her granddaughter.

Karen McPherson

Administrative Assistant
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After spending 30 years in full-service restaurant management Karen moved into administrative work after meeting and marrying her husband, Bob. They both enjoy traveling, searching for antiques, and gardening. They share their home with adopted friends William, the dog, Bailey and Lucky, the cats and approximately 30 koi in their large pond.

Allan Podbelsek

Parish Visitor
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Allan has served on the Springdale staff team since early 2006 and has been a member of the church for over 33 years. He was born in Illinois and grew up on a farm near Lincoln, Illinois. He received all of his education in that state receiving a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois in 1972. He began teaching mathematics in 1960 and completed his active career as a mathematics educator in 1998. He has taught in Hawaii, Illinois, Wisconsin and Kentucky. He served for 24 years as the Mathematics Specialist for JCPS. He enjoys reading, singing in the choir, travel, sports (more watching recently!), music and going to movies. He and Jean have been married for 46 years and have 3 children and 9 grandchildren.

Anita Perez

Childcare Coordinator
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Anita has been Springdale’s Childcare Coordinator for five years. She grew up in northern Polland. She has a Master’s degree in Education. She came to the US eight years ago as a part of an au pair program. She met a man from Cuba, who she married and they decided to stay in Louisville. She has worked at area pre-schools. She and her husband, Nelie, have two daughters and two dogs. She enjoys gardening, reading, outdoor activities, and spending time with children.

Rachel Helgeson

Seminary Intern
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Seminary Intern at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Rachel ministers at SPC by providing pastoral care, worship leadership, and teaching. Rachel was a New York opera singer who was called into the ministry. She and her husband, Chris Roode, a music and percussion teacher, share their gifts weekly at Springdale.