Kara Foster

Kara began serving as Senior Minister in 2017. Before coming to Madisonville, she served as the Pastor of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Rockwood, TN for over ten years. She also served as the Minister in Residence at Central Christian Church in Lexington, KY. 

Kara has a Masters of Divinity from Vanderbilt University & a Bachelors Degree from Transylvania University. Prior to seminary she also attended the School of Social Work at the University of Louisville. 

The joys of her life are her husband Mark, and their children, Anne and Luke. Kara has a heart for preaching about the love of Jesus Christ. She seeks to build a church where all God’s people can grow in faith together.

Eric Nance Woehler 

Eirc is joining the First Christian Church team as the full-time Interim Minister of Children, Youth, & Young Adults. Eric has served as a youth and adult Sunday-school teacher, youth-group sponsor, camp counselor and Children’s Worship and Wonder storyteller, greeter and coordinator for more than 20 years. This position is a brand-new step for him, though, as it is his first on a church staff after working as a writer and editor since the late 1980s.

Eric is married to Rev. Rachel Nance Woehler, the West Area regional minister for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Kentucky and a lifelong member of First Christian. Their daughter, Virginia, is set to graduate from Western Kentucky University’s Gatton Academy and Madisonville-North Hopkins High School this month and enter Boston University in August.

Bill Thomas

Dr. Bill Thomas has been on staff since 2016. He proudly calls Ellijay, GA, home.  He discovered his love for music (especially that of the church) through piano lessons, children’s choir at First Baptist Church, and band.  Bill has music and education degrees from Reinhardt University, Kennesaw State University, & his Doctorate from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. 

Dr. Thomas served churches in his home town of Ellijay, LaGrange, GA, Louisville, Hodgenville, Bowling Green, and Madisonville, KY. Bill’s goal is to lead our church to show the love of Christ through the fine arts using education, inspiration, and spiritual development.

Candy Bone

Candy has been serving as our Director since 20o1. Candy has a heart for children & oversees a growing and virbrant Preschool Ministry for young children.  

In the fall of 2022 the Preschool expanded to add a Kindergarten Class to our emphasis in early education & a nurturing childcare environment.

The Preschool offers a preschool program & extended care. 

Donna Gipson has served as our Office Administrator since 1998. 

She works to manage the financial operations and the administrative needs of the Church.

She's happy to help be a resource for all the events happening in the life of the Church. 

Mike Jones

Mike has been serving as our facility custodian since November of 2022. He works hard to help keep our facility ready for all our many ministry events.

He works diligently to help support the ministry of the Church by maintaining our facility. 

Mike has two children & enjoys fishing.

Kellie Duggin 

Kellie serves as the Director of Friends Place Respite Care where she brings years of church leadership and administrative expereince as well as a background in respite care. 

Cara Gilger 

Rev. Cara Gilger serves at First Christian Church as the Director of Communications. Located in Dallas, Texas, Cara has a commitment to creating beautiful and clear communications to build and strengthen community. 

Alice Chaney

Born in Madisonville, Kentucky, Alice Chaney, graduated cum laude from the University of Kentucky School of Music, with a B. M. in piano performance.  While at UK, she began studying pipe organ with Arnold Blackburn.  She has been a service organist for over 40 years, and in 1998, she returned to the Church of her youth as a member of the music staff. 

Alice plays the organ & piano each week in worship. She also participates in the handbell choir and orchestra. She is a member of the Association of Disciple Musicians and is the accompanist for the Madisonville Community College Chorus.  She has sung soprano in area choruses and choirs, as well as, community theater.  

Alice hopes to not only to lead and to inspire worship with music, but to glorify and give thanks to God for her special gift.

Alice and her husband, Brent, enjoy world travel, great music, and theater.