We are grateful for the following covenant partners who have answered the call to serve as leaders at First Pres for a three-year term starting in January 2025. Until then, they will be trained, and you can pray for them as they prepare to fill these roles.

Elders

Dennis Fitzgerald

Dennis Fitzgerald was born and raised in Maryland. He and his wife, Janice, and two of his younger children, moved to the Valley from Annapolis, Maryland, in 1990, just as their oldest son left home for the USAF. His love of renovating old houses led them to a circa 1790 house in Harrisonburg. In 1998, they totally renovated and converted this historic building as city’s first official bed & breakfast. Dennis sold the business to his daughter, Anna, and son-in-law in 2022. Now a retired innkeeper, he and Janice are free to worship & serve at First Pres. Being led to First Pres by invitation from covenant partner Cheryl Cassel has been a major blessing. “The opportunity to serve as an elder within our dynamic, firmly Bible-based church family is an unexpected honor,” he says. His favorite scripture is “I am the way, the Truth and the Light; no one comes to the Father, except by me” (John 14:6).

James Groff

James and his wife Brenda and three children have attended First Pres since 2021. They were drawn to the church because of its Gospel-centered community and Christ-centered worship. James has worked at Valley Roofing and Exteriors in sales and estimating for 16 years, and also works on house renovation projects when he’s not there. In his free time he enjoys a round of golf, cooking/grilling food and gardening. His passion for the church is for it to be a place of love and unity that invites people to come and see what Jesus has done for us.

Renee McCulloch

First Pres has been Renee’s church home for 40-some years. “I’m excited about how the Lord is working in and through our congregation, and I enjoy being involved in leadership,” she says. She is married to Terry, and they have two grown children and two grandchildren. Her favorite Bible verse is Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Gloria Price

Gloria has been a member of First Pres for almost 40 years. Her husband, Marshall, is a fourth-generation member of First Pres. Gloria and Marshall have three grown children and four grandchildren. Before retiring, she worked as a school counselor and also in property management. Her interests include gardening, travel, and spending time with family and friends. This will be Gloria’s third time serving as an elder. She has also helped with soup kitchen and participated in other activities at First Pres, including participating in a small group. In addition she is thh founder of the First Pres Prayer Warriors (2012) and has continued to oversee this ministry.

Deacons

Meredith Groff

Meredith is a sophomore in college, currently attending Blue Ridge Community College. She became a covenant partner at First Pres in 2022, along with her family. Meredith feels called to serve others and share the love of Christ by giving time and care to people. She has worked with soup kitchen and OpenDoors, the youth mission trip and preschool Sunday school, and she loves serving with the worship team. Meredith looks forward to continue doing the work of Christ as a deacon.

Rebecca Huffman
Rebecca and her husband, Dee, joined First Pres in 1989 when they moved to Harrisonburg. They tried other churches in town, asking God to lead in their search, but kept coming back to First Pres. “It felt like coming home,” she says.

After Dee’s death two and a half years ago (he also was a deacon), Rebecca moved to Bridgewater Retirement Community. “God, in his great mercy, has provided for my every need,” she says.” Rebecca works two days a week, leads a Bible Study Fellowship group during the school year and tutors elementary students from time to time. “Now I feel that God has called me and provided the time to serve the church I love so much,” she says. “I look forward to this opportunity.”

Emily Larson