staff

Curt and Kathaleen McFarland are honored to return to Yakima Grace (First Presbyterian).  Curt grew up in the San Francisco Bay area, Kathaleen lived in numerous places as the daughter of an Air Force officer before settling in Las Vegas in her middle school years (her dad’s final assignment was Nellis Air Force Base.  Curt attended Whitworth in Spokane, Kathaleen Westmont in Santa Barbara.  Several years after college Curt and Kathaleen met.  They got married in between Curt’s first and second year of Seminary in New Jersey...  More

Kara joined us as our Director of Student Ministries in the Summer of 2022.  God has set a deep passion in her to connect our youth with a LIVING God!  Eager to take youth deeper into conversation with their creator, understanding their unique design and purpose in the Kingdom and creating spaces for impacting encounters with a personal God; Kara is passionate and heartfelt in most every area of her life.
Kara also loves a good book, deep conversations, fireside cups of coffee and getting outdoors.  She and her husband Aaron are often found out in the hills hiking whenever they can get time off together. Hidden talents include:  Fluency in Spanish, a previous career in carpentry, amazing vocal talent and a pretty wicked flick on the ultimate frisbee field. 

Jahzeel Garcia-Figueroa is our Student Ministry Assistant. Jahzeel has heard the Lord call her in this direction and she has loved being a part of the youth program. As she grew up in this church, she was very active in youth. She attended youth group consistently from 7th -12th grade. During those years she was able to see the constant flux of both students attending and youth pastors come through. So, the Lord has set a fire of passion for youth. She can’t wait to make and have fun helping generate memories for the youth of our Church.

Aside from youth, Jahzeel also helps lead worship on Sunday mornings and assists with Spanish translation.

Jahzeel moved to Yakima in October of 2010 at the age of 9 and with her family began to attend Cristo Vive in November of that same year, while the church was still First Pres. She lives with her mom Edith Figueroa and her 4 younger siblings. She loves listening and playing music, swimming, reading, and hanging out with her family by either completing puzzles or watching movies.

Sarah was born and raised in Yakima, Washington and has called Grace home for over 15 years. She worked in pharmacy for 13 years before deciding to stay home with her growing family: Wyatt, River, Silas, and Ella. Sarah is passionate about helping people hear God’s voice and establish a personal connection with Father God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Sarah is the Family and Children’s Ministry Director.

When Sarah is not watching her children at sporting events or cooking dinner for a houseful of teenagers, you will find her at home, curled up with a good book—by the fire on cool days or relaxing by the pool in the summer. A lover of classical music, opera, and art, Sarah enjoys experiencing God’s beauty and peace in a variety of ways. Sarah loves to dream with God and help create opportunities to build community.
God has given her a special love for the people of Grace and the Yakima community. 

Nathan Gross was born and raised in the Yakima Valley, calling Selah home for most of his life. He started writing songs at a young age, and has been leading worship since he was 16 years old, with Psalms 96 and 150 being instrumental Biblical passages in his development as a leader.
Nathan married his high school sweetheart, Sara, and together, they attended Eastern Washington University, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in music. His ever-growing love and knowledge of music allows him to use his God-given talents to help lead others to times of heartfelt praise, intimate worship, and awe and wonder of our Creator.

In addition to leading worship at Grace, he works, with his wife, in the music program at the Selah school district, where their three amazing children are also students. Nathan’s family often accompanies him onstage to help with leading worship. He’s an avid local sports fan, which is especially evident in the football season, as you’ll probably see him wearing a shirt that reads, “God first, Family, then the Seahawks.” Nathan lives to worship, and would love to see you Belong, Believe, Become and Bless with us at Grace of Christ! 

Jason Wickson is our Traditional Worship Director at Grace - working primarily with our Temple Choir that leads worship for the 11:00 service, featuring a magnificent pipe organ with Dr. Jon Waite, organist.  Jason is a native of Detroit, Michigan. He holds degrees in vocal performance from Oakland University and the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.

While maintaining an active career in opera performance, he has a strong background in choral music. His formative years began as a member of the Detroit Concert Choir which earned the title, “Choir of the World” at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in Wales. Additionally he has served as a staff tenor chorister with several churches in Michigan, Florida, Ohio, Indiana, New Jersey, and New York, notably with the Kirk in the Hills Presbyterian Church in Bloomfield Hills, MI and Metropolitan United Methodist Church in Detroit, MI. His opera credits have taken him across the United States, Canada, Austria, Germany, France, Hong Kong, and the United Kingdom.

Jason currently serves on the music faculty at Yakima Valley College, teaches elementary music in the lower valley, and resides in Yakima with his children Evangeline and Teagan, and their dog, Fritz. 

Amber is our Preschool Teacher at Grace of Christ. I am so excited to watch your children learn and play this year! I have been a teacher at Romp and Rhythm for the past 3 years. I'm a mother of two girls.

"My favorite part of preschool is seeing how much children can grow from fall to spring!"

This is my third year at Grace of Christ. I have worked with PreK to 5th grade students at Adams Elementary since 2015. I am so excited to work with your children one on one and help them grow to their full potential! I can’t wait for this school year to begin! 

Tammy has been with the church for over 25 years in the role of Business/Finance Manager. She was born and raised in Nebraska although she loves living in the Pacific Northwest. When not “crunching numbers” at Grace of Christ she loves jumping on the back of the Harley Davidson with her husband and exploring the open road.  Tammy loves hanging out with her family, especially time with her grandkids. 

Ericka has been on staff at Grace since 2001. She spent the first 16 years in the main office and since 2019 has been the administrative assistant to the pastors. She also assists with Life Groups and Prayer Ministry. If you have a question or want to get plugged in, connect with Ericka, she'll find the answer! Ericka and her husband Scott live in Selah where they love to garden. When Ericka isn't at the church you can find her hiking, eating with a friend, or in the hammock with a good book. 

Aaron has been our office administrator since June of 2023. He grew up in Eastern Oregon, and has lived in the area since 2020. He is currently in the intern program here at Grace and going to school at Northwest University. He loves to serve and help others. His current motto to live by is "We are not here for ourselves, We are here to love and serve others."

Debbie Meyers loves worshiping the Lord and loves technology – so she has the perfect job as Worship & Technology Administrator! She joined the staff in 1991 following a stint as the volunteer newsletter editor, and her duties have since evolved to include network administration; worship planning; and sound, web & media administration.

Deb has two great kids (who literally "grew up" at Grace) - both Megan & Austin live and work in Boise, Idaho. Megan (and husband, Curt) have blessed Deb with grandbaby, Payton and Grandkids, Shelby, Adrian & Julian.

During John's youth in the Lower Valley during the 60's & 70's, he "attended" First Pres via KIT Radio. Then in the 80's he moved to Yakima and, on a Sunday morning invitation from a classmate, John found his in-person church home with Grace!

Since then, John has been privileged to serve in Children's and Youth Ministries, including Sunday School, VBS, Youth Group, and camps. As a past Deacon and member of the Sanctuary Guild, John continues serving today in many of those same areas including Tech, Safety, Hospitality, and as a non-serving Elder. Along the way, John raised 5 children through children's and youth programs, and now with 7 grandchildren, a 3rd generation of Yolo's have participated in many the kids and youth programs at Grace. After being on staff in the 90's as a part-time night custodian, John returned to a full-time staff building position in 2018. 

Serving now as Head Custodian, Dan Barela started at Grace of Christ in 1987 - yep, that's over 35 years ago! He likes serving with the staff and all the people of our church's ministries. He gets tears in eyes when he sees the little ones smile and call him by name; or seeing parents, who he remembers as children, now bringing their kiddos to Grace.

Happily married to Kathy for over 45 years, he has three great kids and two wonderful grandkids! 

Serving now as Head Custodian, Dan Barela started at Grace of Christ in 1987 - yep, that's over 35 years ago! He likes serving with the staff and all the people of our church's ministries. He gets tears in eyes when he sees the little ones smile and call him by name; or seeing parents, who he remembers as children, now bringing their kiddos to Grace.

Happily married to Kathy for over 45 years, he has three great kids and two wonderful grandkids! 

Dennis received his Certificate in Lay Ministry from Whitworth College in 2002.  He was ordained as a Lay Pastor and commissioned to serve as the Pastor for the Tieton Presbyterian Church where he and his wife Barbara served for three years. Dennis was commissioned by our Session in January 2014, to serve as a volunteer Lay Pastor for Grace of Christ Church.

Dennis currently serves as a Deacon, conducts worship services at retirement homes, performs memorial and funeral services, serves on the Pastoral Care Team and assists during Sunday worship. He enjoys quilting with his wife Barbara, target shooting, trap shooting, and golf.