Our Board of Directors
Board Chair - Jared Leadbetter
Jared Leadbetter was born and raised in McAllen, has been a lifelong Disciple of Christ and was baptized at First Christian in 1982. He currently serves as an Elder of the church as well as Chairman of the Board, positions his late father once held. His great-great aunt, Grace McDaniel was one of the original founders of First Christian - McAllen from its inception in 1914. He has been in the fresh produce business for 30 years and is married to his lovely wife Chris.
Board Vice-Chair - Elaine Nelson
Elaine is new to the board. She retired from The University of Texas Medical School in Galveston. As a Musician/Singer/Songwriter, Elaine has spent the last several years traveling extensively and performing. She was inducted into the National Traditional Country Music Hall of Fame in 2009. In addition, Elaine serves as our Special Music Director.
Life's a Song.....Sing it! Elaine Clark Nelson
Treasurer-Sharon Chapman
Sharon is in her third year on our board. At FCC, she is active in planning worship, enjoys singing in ensembles & solos, and works as the office secretary. A retired elementary principal and teacher, she continues to tutor children after school. She loves crafting, and spending her time with friends, family and her 3 cats.
Parliamentarian - Chris Pederson
Chris is also the beloved chairman of our Elders. He has been an active member since he, and his wife Rexanne, were married in the FCC on Tenth and Nyssa in 1968. Chris was a professional underwater photographer with his Father and Uncle. One of the productions his dad and he collaborated on was a Time-Life television show called “The Admirable Octopus”. That show aired on the Time-Life series called “The Wild, Wild World of Animals”. It was the season opener for the 1974 Fall season, and was narrated by William Conrad. In the early days, early 50’s, his dad and brother, Verne, contracted with Walt Disney Productions to film fill-in undersea footage for the movie, “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea”. Chris' experiences as an underwwater photographer ended in 1974 when his Father retired. From 1971 to 1989, he had his own photography business, and in 1990, he began teaching high school Freshman Biology and Junior-Senior level Marine Science. Chris retired from teaching in 2,000. He received his degree in Biology with a double minor in English and History at what is now The University of Texas at Edinburg or The University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV).
Secretary - Kathy Stevens
Kathy is originally from Oregon but got to Texas as fast as she could. She grew up in the Disciples church but also attended services at many other mainstream and non mainstreamed churches with friends. She has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a minor in art from Eastern Oregon State College and a Master’s in Curriculum & Instruction with an emphasis in Learning Styles from Northeastern State University in Oklahoma. Kathy retired to the valley after 40 years in education with her last 17 years teaching and maintaining the technology at Ted Polk Middle School in Carrollton, Texas. Kathy has also been an elder at 1st Christian now United Disciples CC in Richardson, Texas since 2000.
Member at Large - Julio Beltran
Julio, his wife Linda, and two children live in the area. He is member of the hospitality Industry.