First Presbyterian Church of Columbus, Indiana

MEET THE FPC STAFF!

Rob Craig , Church Pastor, serves as Pastor and Head of Staff.
Rob started as pastor at First Presbyterian Church in October 2007. He has served congregations in St. Louis, Albuquerque, and Washington, DC. During the Albuquerque years, Rob's media interest led him to host a weekly one-hour telephone talk program called "Religion on the Line" on ABC, which was broadcast in eighteen western states and parts of Canada and Mexico. During the Washington years, he served with President Clinton on a White House Commission the President appointed to make recommendations about the future of the District of Columbia.

Rob has also served two non-parish roles. He served as Associate Professor and Associate Dean of McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois, from 1985 to 1990. He is also serving his fifth term on the seminary Board of Trustees. He is co-author, with Robert Worley, of the book Dry Bones Live published by Westminster John Knox Press. A call came in January of 2000 for Rob to be Executive Director of Ghost Ranch Education and Retreat Center. The New Mexico center has two sites, one near Abiquiu and the other in Santa Fe, combined as one mission of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Rob is married to Sharon Hughes Craig, who has been a special education teacher. Sharon grew up in Indianapolis. Their daughter Caroline (Callie) and her husband Peter, are living in San Diego where she has recently completed a post-doctoral appointment in neuro-science at the University of California San Diego. She is about to give birth to their first child, a girl. Sharon and Rob's son William (Will) is an educator in New York City, where he lives with his educator wife Laurie and their two daughters. Rob's primary recreational outlet is golf.

Scott Dewese,is Director of Music Ministry at First Presbyterian Church in Columbus, Indiana. Scott was Assistant Professor of Voice and Director of Opera at Eastern Kentucky University before moving to Columbus, and was Instructor of Music at St. John’s University in Minnesota. He has been heard on WTIU’s “Weekly Special” and has also been featured on Minnesota Public Radio. Scott has degrees from University of North Texas and Southern Methodist University.

Barbara Newton, Preschool Director, has been with First Presbyterian Preschool since 1995. Originally from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Barb has been a Hoosier since attending Purdue. Barb received her B.A. and M.S. degrees in elementary education. After teaching first grade in Warsaw, Plainfield and Columbus she left the work force for the raising of her children- Meredith, Jordie and Cole. With three children all in high school, Barb and husband Rich, a local dentist, keep very busy.

Barb enjoys playing violin with the local symphony, and loves hiking on the Newton farm in Vevay, IN. Barb keeps busy with the Sr. High Nurture program at church and serves as a member of the Adult Nurture committee.