Pastor Bob Davis
My name is Bob Davis. I am married to Jennifer. We have three daughers: Kaley, Brooke, and Abby. We now have three grandchildren: Ellie, Emma, and Carter.
I grew up in a Presbyterian family. My parents were actively involved in Westminster Presbyterian Church in West Chester, PA; my father served multiple terms as a ruling elder, my mother served multiple terms as a deacon. We attended worship every Sunday without exception.
Although those examples and patterns were significant, the most important factor in my relationship with Jesus was my parents’ service as 4th and 5th grade Sunday School teachers. They taught that class for more than twenty years. I was their guinea pig for many of their lesson plans. I was their utility player for skits. For example, at various times in my childhood skit-acting career, I was the victim of robbery, the robber, the priest, the Levite, the Good Samaritan, the donkey, or the innkeeper. I became familiar with Scripture through the constant work they did in preparation for teaching. I learned a lot about Jesus during those years.
The turning point for me was the completion of the confirmation class in 9th grade. I remember having a vivid conviction that I ought not make a profession of faith unless I actually meant it. It was not enough to know about Jesus, it was imperative to know Jesus. In preparation for the meeting with the session, I got on my knees in my bedroom and accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Then, joyfully, I was able to make a public profession of faith at my examination for membership.
When I moved to Indiana for law school, my membership was transferred to Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis. At Second Presbyterian, I was ordained as a Deacon. It was during my time at Second Presbyterian that I discerned a call to pursue ordination as a Minister of Word and Sacrament. The community there blessed me by providing opportunities to teach and serve in a variety of ministry settings. I loved it.
I attended Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. From 1997 through 2004, I served as the Executive Director of the Presbyterian Forum, which worked for reformation and renewal of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). I served as an associate pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Escondido, California (2001-2006) where I was ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament. From July, 2006, through February 2019, I was the pastor and head of staff at Chula Vista Presbyterian Church.
Beginning in April, 2019, I became the pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Carson City (A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians – ECO). It has been a great joy meeting the people of this congregation and becoming a part of this community. I am excited to see where God will be leading us in mission and ministry in the days ahead.
At each of the vocational stops, my faith has been challenged, tested, and strengthened. It has brought me to a place of desiring to equip the priesthood of all believers. I have discerned God’s call for me to teach, train, and send. I believe my job is to help people offer worship to God and to send them out to proclaim the good news to the community in which God has placed them.
Sherri Gurney
Sherri Gurney is our Family Ministry Coordinator. She has worked with children her whole life, from babysitting while growing up in Fallon to teaching swim lessons at the Navy base, then teaching elementary school for 27 years. While teaching, she developed a passion for working with families, so she is thrilled to be called into the Family Ministry Coordinator position. What a God-given gift! Sherri is so happy to be able to serve the church family she loves. When off the clock as Family Ministry Coordinator, she is spending time building her new family with her husband Joe, son Sam, and step-daughter Jessica. Sherri says, “I know you have wonderful experiences to share as well, and I’m looking forward to all the fun we can have together as I support you in sharing your talents and love for Jesus with us all.”
Margo Weaver
Margo Weaver is FPC's Office Manager and Communications Coordinator. Born and raised in Southern California and having also lived in Colorado and Arizona, Margo moved to Reno in 2004 from the San Diego area where she had worked as a grant writer for a school for homeless children; prior to that she wrote grants for a residential shelter for 18-21 year-olds in Phoenix, AZ. Other parts of her career life have been a wide variety of administrative / executive assistant work. Margo made the move to Carson City in 2019. Her interests include being a Deacon, music, and having fun with her family and dog.
Deana Ercanbrack
Deana Ercanbrack feels blessed to be working with the little children here at First Presbyterian Church. She received her Montessori certification from UC San Diego and has taught in various early childhood education settings for many years. Deana thanks God for the privilege of telling about Jesus' love through teaching Sunday school and helping with VBX, as well as, working with our preschool kids, toddlers and babies! She is happy to coordinate the child care needs of our church families and always looks forward to meeting and welcoming new little ones. Some of her hobbies are singing and playing her guitar or piano, creating art and riding her bike with her husband Tom.
Cynthia Mirabal Jones
Cynthia Mirabal Jones joined the FPC staff as our new Bookkeeper on February 1. She and Charlene are busily training on all things FPC with Charlene anticipating retiring around the end of March.
Born and raised in Layton, Utah, Cynthia moved to Carson City 2½ years ago with her husband, Stephen, after living in Las Vegas for over 25 years. She has two adult children who have also moved to the area. She and her husband love living in Northern Nevada, especially Carson City. Cynthia has been a bookkeeper for over 24 years, as well as performing as an administrative executive and human resource manager. She has also worked as an independent contractor for small business owners providing administrative/bookkeeping support. Cynthia is pleased to be working as a member of the office and to be a part of the FPC community. Her hobbies include reading, cooking, and spending time with her husband and dog, Rolo.