MEET OUR STAFF
Michael Klaus - Senior Minister
Michael Klaus is the senior minister at First Christian Church. He has been married to his wife Melanie for 31 years and have two adult children, Katie and Jonathan. He and Melanie met in college at Florida State University, where he earned his degree in Psychology. He has also earned a degree from Point University in theology. He has been in fulltime ministry since 1991. He really enjoys preaching and helping people inside and outside of the church. “I enjoy just being in fellowship with people and spending time in God’s creation and taking photos of God’s nature. I know it’s a privilege to be in ministry. The apostle Paul said this about ministry and I feel the same..”
“To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,” Eph. 3:8
Carter McClendon - Children's Minister
Carter was born in Missouri however at the age of 4 moved to Johnson City. He grew up in a Christ-filled and loving home with his parents Kellie and Chris, along with his older sisters Courtney and Carly. Upon graduating from Science Hill High School, Carter attended Liberty University as he pursued his Bachelor's Degree in Biblical Studies. He has moved home to begin ministry, pursue his Master's Degree and be with his fiance, Kierra. Some of his interests are martial arts, bowling, and scuba diving however more than anything he loves God and wants to make an impact on all the kids who are a part of the Kingdom of God. Carter enjoys fun activities and finding ways to make learning about God fun and educational at the same time. Most of all he believes in living a faith-filled life through his favorite scripture. "For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7
Haley Noe - Office Administrator
I grew up and lived in Elizabethton my entire life and enjoy raising a family in a city that still feels like a small town. My husband, Joshua, and I have been married ten years and one of our greatest joys is raising our children, Wilson and Maggie. I enjoy singing, reading, playing games, and spending time with family and friends. I enjoy serving the Lord through helping with the youth group at East River Park Christian Church ,but love First Christian Church and enjoy sharing God’s love to the congregation through my work. I pray my work at First Christian follows Colossians 3:23-24 “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
Gene Estep - Organist/Choir Director
Gene is a lifelong native of Elizabethton, Tennessee and has been an active part of First Christian, Elizabethton his entire life and has been a part of the staff since the age of 13! He has been our organist since 1974. He successfully received his BA in Music Education in 1978. In 1973, Gene met his future bride, Carolyn Corbin who came from Indiana to work at East Tennessee Christian Home. His love of God, family, church family and music have been the guiding factors of his life. Let us always remember these words from Ephesians 5:19-20: “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Carolyn Estep - Pianist
I was born in Martinsville, Indiana to Dwight &Wilma Corbin. I have one sister, Marsha McDaniel who lives at Jacksonville Beach, Florida with husband Larry. I was raised in Greenwood, Indiana. My family was all very active with the Bluff Creek Christian Church. I graduated from Center Grove High School in 1969 and Lincoln Christian College in Lincoln, Illinois in 1973. Following graduation, I came to live and work at East Tennessee Christian Home as secretary/bookkeeper from 1973-1977. I then received a Medical Assistance degree from Marshall T. Nave Vocational School in 1978. I met and married Gene Estep in 1978. We have both been very active with the music program & choir, where I play for the choir and am the church pianist.We have one daughter Cara Leanne Hutton, one son-in-law David Hutton. One son, Craig Matthew. Grandchildren Sophia Brynn, Camden Mitchell Estep and Riley Hutton.
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Debbie Woods - Custodian
My husband David and I are so grateful to be apart of the First Christian Church Family, where I have worked and worshipped for the past 11 years. Before coming to Elizabethton, I lived in Omaha, Nebraska for 10 years. I was born in Laplata, Maryland, but my family is from Greenbay, Wisconsin. My husband and I and our 3 dogs love to go camping in our RV. We also like going to the beach. When I started working and worshipping here I knew this was the church for us, it has brought me closer to the Lord and it has also brought me closer to people. I love the way this church helps people not just here but all over the world, telling people about the Lord. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding in all your ways acknowledge him and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5