About Us

 Our History

In 1906, several members of the Corpus Christi community sought to start a church shaped by the Campbell-Stone Movement, and First Christian Church was born.

For over 100 years the congregation and its members have served the community. Today we have approximately 200 members, a 40-year-plus Day School and Child Care program that serves a hundred children, a building that is home to more than two dozen community organizations, and a desire to continue serving well into the future.

In 2013, we adopted the following statement to describe our ministry and hope:

“First Christian Church.
Serving the people of Corpus Christi that all may follow Jesus as Lord!”

Our history image

What We Believe

THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST) is a church with its beginning on American soil, as a “People of the Book,” with its deepest roots in the New Testament. The Christian Church believes that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world and God’s own Son, come to redeem the world.

THE LORD’S SUPPER was the distinctive way of worship in the New Testament church. The Church continues to observe this weekly, as a memorial to our Lord and because “Upon the first day of the week the disciples were gathered together to break bread.” (Acts 20:7 KJV) Recognizing all Christians as brothers and sisters, we practice “Open Communion” which means we invite ALL people who acknowledge Jesus as the Christ to share in the Lord’s Supper. Everyone is welcome at the Table of Grace. “Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup.” (1 Corinthians 11:28, NIV)

THE SPIRIT OF THE CHURCH seeks to bind all Christians in their love for Christ and for God’s Word. In searching for unity among Christians, all people are urged to interpret the Scriptures for their own lives, believing that all Christians can serve together when seeking:

“In Essentials …. UNITY!
In Non-Essentials …. LIBERTY!
In All Things …. CHARITY!”

Our Staff

Our Team & Leadership

Rev. Rusty Wright

Rev. Rusty Wright

I have a rather offbeat sense of humor. And, because many people believe that preachers don’t ever laugh or have fun, I often have to remind people that I wasn’t born a preacher. In fact, I didn’t answer the call to the ministry until I was in my late thirties. It was then when I realized that, throughout my life, God had been preparing me to serve.

So, after an over twenty year career in retail and outside sales, I set my sights on following God’s call. I quit my job as a store manager for La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries and enrolled at UT-San Antonio to finish work on my degree in Political Science. Then I was accepted to seminary, Brite Divinity School on the campus of TCU in Fort Worth, where I received my Master of Divinity in December 2005.

After seminary, I was called right back to my home church to be their pastor. That doesn’t happen very often. In fact, it’s extremely unusual, but God’s hand was definitely in that process, just as God’s hand brought me to First Christian Church- Corpus Christi in January 2014. I feel so blessed to serve this Spirit-filled congregation as pastor. If you are looking for a church home, please consider giving us a try.  There is always room for one more at our table.

Besides serving God, I have a great many other passions in my life. My wife, Amy, and my two beautiful children, Madeline and Julia, top that list. But, I am also a rabid Chicago Cubs fan. In addition, I love smooth jazz, talking politics (weird, huh?), the Cubs, American and World history, cooking, singing, and Chicago Cubs baseball.

Someone once asked me if I miss my old life in sales and I reminded him that I was still in sales, but now I have a better product and I can’t wait to get up each day and share my joy.
Contact Pastor Rusty at pastor@fcc-cc.org

Rev. TJ Bird (retired)

Rev. TJ Bird (retired)

Associate Pastor

Over the many years serving in different positions in the Church, God called me into the ministry in 2011. I am currently in my fourth year as a commission minister. I am looking forward to serving God and First Christian Church. My gifts are Pastoral Care and Evangelism and I love meeting new people and sharing the love of Christ with them.

I don’t have “a favorite” verse, but the two that top the list are Proverbs 17: 22 – “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” I enjoy having fun and laughing. Serving God should be fun. You should enjoy being with God’s people. Tell a joke or tell a story and keep a smile on your face, show the world you’re happy.

The other is from Matthew 28: 19-20 – “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always to the very end of age.” This was the last command given us so it must be very important. Tell others what God has done for you, nobody else can tell your story.

I am married to the love of my life, Patsy and we have been married for 47 years. We have two sons, Troy and Travis. We have three grandsons, Tyler, Taylor and Kevin. And then, God gave us a granddaughter, Lauren.

Patsy and I are owners of Bird’s Rubber Stamps and we both work full time in the business. We are blessed to have our son Travis and grandson Tyler working with us making it possible for me to be available for my bio-vocational ministry.

Rev. Kellē Clark

Rev. Kellē Clark

Associate Pastor, Youth & Stewardship

First Christian Church Corpus Christi has been my family’s home church since 1998. My husband and I started by attending as a “ChrEasters” (Christmas and Easter only), but in 2001 we knew that we owed God a lot more than just a few days a year and in 2003 made the decision to become a member of this family of believers. Over the years, I’ve been able to share the talents God gave me in many areas including the Praise Team, Ministry Council, Elder, Stewardship Chair and as one of the adult leaders of our FCC Youth Group.

In 2007 I started ignoring the call from God to seek a path to commissioned ministry. It was a long battle (with myself), but finally started the serious steps in 2017 to move from laity to clergy. In May of 2019 I was commissioned by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Southwest as a minister. I serve God as the Associate Pastor of Youth and Stewardship.

I love the Body of Christ at First Christian Church and all of the folks who encourage and support each other as we walk side-by-side. If you are looking for a church family, and want to use the time and talents God gave you, please accept this as an invitation to come meet us at First Christian Church Corpus Christi. We welcome you just as you are.
Contact Pastor Kellē at youth@fcc-cc.org

Mike Conley

Mike Conley

Organist

I moved to Corpus Christi in 1997. I was born and raised in Kentucky where I earned Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, and Master of Arts degrees.

Having been involved in church music all my life, I was also a high school choir director, college professor, and full-time organist/director of music. I served on the Steering Committee for Organists in the National Pastoral Musicians and as Past Dean of the Corpus Christi Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.

After retiring from being a full-time church musician, I joined the staff at Seaside Funeral Home as a funeral attendant. Shortly afterward, I became the organist at First Christian Church.

Paul Villarreal

Paul Villarreal

Keyboardist

I was born and raised in Robstown, Texas. I began playing piano at age 11 and playing in my church at age 13. I won the Carl Duckwall Memorial Scholarship at Del Mar College in 1983 then went on to Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas where I received a Bachelor’s degree in music education. I’ve taught music in Texas, New York and New Jersey and have 24 years of teaching experience in public schools.

Before coming to First Christian Church, I was organist/music minister at Church of the Holy Spirit in Verona, NJ and then at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Corpus Christi. Praise and Worship music played a big role in my life as a teenager. Being praise band keyboardist brings back special memories of my walk with Christ.

Linda Butler

Linda Butler

Church Life Coordinator

I was born and raised in Corpus Christi, TX. I met my husband in high school. After attending Del Mar College for two years, I married my husband, who had joined the Navy. We lived in Italy for 12 years and 3 three years in Hawaii. We moved back to Corpus Christi to take care of my father before he died. I have two grown children. I began working for FCC in August 2004. A family friend, who was a member of First Christian Church, recommended me for the secretary position. My experience includes being administrative assistant for a non-profit agency for 15 years before taking some time off before coming to work for FCC.
Contact Linda at coordinator@fcc-cc-org

Vicki Pollard

Vicki Pollard

Financial Secretary

I recently retired from the public sector after 40+ years as a bookkeeper in Nueces County.  I knew that I wanted my time to now be directed to glorify the Lord.  When asked to join the staff of FCC I knew that I could accomplish this and serve this church at the same time.   I was raised in the small community of Banquete where I benefited from small town values and a great family.   I have two grown children, Karie and Jody and I have five grandsons who keep me busy.  I enjoy bible studies and worshiping the Lord in song. I am looking forward to this new chapter in my life and seeing where the Lord leads me.
Contact Vicki at: finance@fcc-cc.org

Priscilla Gonzales

Priscilla Gonzales

Head Custodian

Zita Dumas

Zita Dumas

Custodian