Leadership Team
Leadership Team
HARRIS HOLSAPPLE IV
Lead Pastor
Pastor Harris has been leading the church with fresh vision, excitement, passion, and creative ideas to win Cedar Rapids and surrounding areas for Christ. Pastor Harris has a heart to see lives transformed by the power of God and to see people experience new life!The lead pastor develops the church vision, provides organizational management oversight, serves as the primary preacher/teacher and partners with the Executive Board.
MARK CULHAM
Teaching Pastor
Pastor Mark joined the First Open Bible team in November 2020. He brings with him many years of pastoral ministry experience and, just prior to joining our team, served on the faculty of a Christian university in Bethany, Oklahoma for 9 years.As Connection Pastor, he oversees our Connect Groups, as well as assists the lead pastor in pastoral care and oversight of volunteer ministries. Pastor Mark is part of the Wednesday teaching rotation and fills the pulpit as needed.
Email: mculham@firstopenbible.com
kayla mehlert
Youth Lead and Digital Media Assistant
Kayla is responsible for leading, mentoring, and supporting the teens (grade 6-12) at First Open Bible. She has a heart for youth and will use that passion to help guide them during an integral time in their lives.Email: kmehlert@firstopenbible.com
Ariana Holland
KidsMin Director
Ariana supports, helps, assists and serves as a vital part of KidsMin by maintaining ministry information, preparing and distributing curriculum materials and offering administrative support.Email: aholland@firstopenbible.com
Hailey sedlacek
KidsMin Assistant
Hailey supports, helps, assists and co-leads First Open Bible KidsMin.
Email:
SARAH HOLSAPPLE
Creative Director and Spiritual Development Specialist
Supports and encourages teams by leading in ideations, solving problems and generating new ideas and concepts within the church. Works and collaborates with all ministries in strategic and creative planning.
Josh Mains
Sound & Tech Director
Josh oversee’s our sound and tech department.Email: jmains@firstopenbible.com
BRENT KELLEY
Lead Worship Minister
Oversees the worship/music ministry team of the church by developing, coordinating and administering Spirit-led worship.Email: bkelley@firstopenbible.com
KAROLYN WAGNER
Stewardship Director
Karolyn supports the management of financial processes and record keeping, including processing cash receipts, dispersing payments, preparing reports and providing support to all ministries.Email: kwagner@firstopenbible.com
Shelby HOLSAPPLE
Digital Media Assistant
Shelby is responsible for the Digital Media at First Open Bible. Digital Media refers to social media, church website, and church apps. The Digital Media Assistant will also be sending out email updates about all the different events happening at First Open Bible in order to keep everyone engaged and connected.
SHERRI PEIFFER
Officer Manager & Pastoral Admin
Supports, helps, assists and serves by completing administrative processes, providing receptionist coverage, supporting the lead pastor as assigned, supporting other ministry operation teams including organizational and financial administration.Email: speiffer@firstopenbible.com
CHARLES STEVENS
Pastor Emeritus
Pastor Stevens has served at First Open Bible for 50+ years. He serves as the lead pastor’s mentor and provides spiritual guidance to all leadership. Pastor Stevens has retired from active lead pastor, but continues to serve and has earned the honorable title of Pastor Emeritus.board of elders
Rick Enyart (Vice President)
Nate Anderson (Secretary)
Jim Erkel (Board Member)
What does the board of elders do?
The Board of Elders serves as ambassadors of Jesus Christ, as a representative of the congregation who have an interest in the ministry at First Open Bible.
The Board’s responsibilities have both routine and varied aspects.
Throughout each monthly meeting the Board of Elders tackles important issues for the church, including:
- Overseeing the overall vision and future direction of the church;
- Creating policies to clearly define church values and operating procedures;
- Ensuring the teachings and practices of the church reflect accurate biblical theology;
- Protecting the Church by providing direction on financial risk management issues; and
- Supervising the lead pastor for accountability;
- Ensuring the vision and values remain consistent.