Doug Forsberg
Pastor
Jesus’ people find community in the church, and that is certainly true of our multigenerational community here at 1st Presbyterian Church. I’ve been the Senior Pastor of this congregation for over 9 years, shepherding the church through many seasons of life together and seeing the congregation bear witness to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ in the best and worst of times. As I serve this congregation, I seek to help all of us recognize the ways in which the story of our lives is a part of the larger story of redemption being written in history by our faithful and loving Heavenly Father.
Todd ackland
Pastor of Worship and Student Ministries
Started at 1st Pres in November of 2020. I have enjoyed getting to know the members of this congregation who have called 1st Pres home for a couple of years or for the past several decades!
It’s my joy to help shape our Sunday worship – I love seeing our people participate in our worship of our God who has called us to Himself.
It has been a joy to be on staff and to lead the music and worship at a handful of churches for the past 20+ years.
I grew up singing all the hymns, but some of my favorite worship musicians are Shane & Shane, Keith & Kristyn Getty, Bethel Music, and City Alight.
There are incredible youth here at 1st Pres! I have loved getting to know them & their quirks. My goal is to have a fun, growing and dynamic youth community formed out of meaningful relationships where we’re constantly encouraged to keep moving forward in our faith, and where we have recurring mountaintop impact events to look forward to, which help build & boost our faith. Highlights over the last year have been the ROCK Weekends, MIX Camp, and Timber-Lee Winter Extreme!
It’s my joy to help shape our Sunday worship – I love seeing our people participate in our worship of our God who has called us to Himself.
It has been a joy to be on staff and to lead the music and worship at a handful of churches for the past 20+ years.
I grew up singing all the hymns, but some of my favorite worship musicians are Shane & Shane, Keith & Kristyn Getty, Bethel Music, and City Alight.
There are incredible youth here at 1st Pres! I have loved getting to know them & their quirks. My goal is to have a fun, growing and dynamic youth community formed out of meaningful relationships where we’re constantly encouraged to keep moving forward in our faith, and where we have recurring mountaintop impact events to look forward to, which help build & boost our faith. Highlights over the last year have been the ROCK Weekends, MIX Camp, and Timber-Lee Winter Extreme!
Sara Slattengren
Office Coordinator & Director of Christian Education
I grew up attending church at First Pres, starting when I was 3 years old. In middle school youth group, I met the boy who would one day be my husband! We were married in 2002 and are now raising our 3 kiddos in Rochelle, attending First Pres.
I am excited to be leading the Children's Ministry programs and showing kids the love of Jesus on a weekly basis!
In May of 2019, I started in the position of office coordinator for the church and I love being a part of the "behind the scenes" on a daily basis!
I am excited to be leading the Children's Ministry programs and showing kids the love of Jesus on a weekly basis!
In May of 2019, I started in the position of office coordinator for the church and I love being a part of the "behind the scenes" on a daily basis!