First Lutheran Church

Our Staff

Pastor - Joseph Highley Joseph.Highley@flcspc.com

Pastor Joseph Highley took a roundabout route to the pastoral ministry, having worked at Expedia.com and also selling leather supplies at Tandy Leather, both in Springfield, MO, before finally going to Concordia Seminary, St. Louis for pastoral education in 2016. 

After graduating from Concordia Seminary in 2020 with his Master's of Divinity (MDiv), he then spent another year at the seminary making progress on his Master's of Sacred Theology (STM). In April of 2021 he received his first call to First Lutheran. He was ordained and installed at First Lutheran on June 26th, 2021. 

Joseph is married to Rachell Highley who has a degree in Spiritual Care and Deaconess Studies from Concordia Seminary. Rachell has also been called to serve at First Lutheran Church as Deaconess, beginning in the summer of 2024. Joseph and Rachell have been married since 2015 and are blessed to have four beautiful children; James, Elisa, Mia, and Annalie. 

A jack of all trades, master of none, Joseph has a variety of interests. He enjoys all things athletics, both playing them (poorly) or following as a fan. The Kansas City Royals and Chiefs, and Missouri State Bears make up his world of fandom. Joseph also enjoys all things Lord of the Rings and rarely meets a board game or card game that he doesn't enjoy. The outdoors, with a special nod to fishing are also up his alley. Joseph loves being a dad and spending time with his wife and kids. Above all this, even above his love of being a husband and dad, Joseph has a passion for the Word of God and sharing its truth with others, that Jesus died for you and saves you from your sin.

Pastor Joseph is always eager to meet you and get to know you. He is happy to discuss our Lutheran-Christian beliefs with anyone and is excited to be serving the people of First Lutheran in Ponca City.

Deaconess - Rachell Highley Rachell.Highley@flcspc.com 

Director of Celebration Ministries - Chris Schelp Chris.Schelp@flcspc.com

Chris knew in high school God was calling him to church work. He also knew he had a love for music, playing instruments as early as grade school. This love for music carried him through college at Concordia University in River Forest, IL, playing many instruments and singing in choirs. He realized during this time that the best outlet for both his passion to serve in the church and his passion for music would lead him to serving God through ministry in church music. 

Chris is married to Katie, who shares his love of church service and music. She has shared her talents at First Lutheran in various ways, be it through the school or the church. Chris enjoys all things musical, sports (golf and baseball in particular), and theater. You will occasionally catch him frequenting the stage of the Ponca Playhouse right here in Ponca City. 

Chris enjoys serving at First Lutheran Church & School. He is open to conversation and would love to get to know you. He is a wealth of knowledge on many different topics, and would love to share his knowledge with you!

Principal - Molly Carter Molly.Carter@flcspc.com

Next Generation Coordinator - Jennifer Heitman Jennifer.Heitman@flcspc.com

Jennifer began working at FLCS in 2019. Before that, she was a teacher at FLS and served as the Cheer Coach for First Lutheran School for a total of 7 years. She graduated from Midwest City High School in Midwest City, OK, and received her Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education from Northwestern Oklahoma State University. She is currently enrolled at Concordia Irvine University in their Director of Christian Education program. She is married to her husband Jason, and has three daughters who are all graduates of FLS. They joined the First Lutheran Church family in 2015 when her husbands job moved them to the area. She enjoys spending time with her family outdoors, organizing gatherings for FLY (First Lutheran Youth), taking part in local theater companies, and volunteering her time where she can. Her ministry at FLCS is to stimulate and direct ministry aimed at the next generation of Christians and leaders in our congregation, particularly aimed at junior high age youth and high school youth, as well as young adults (20-somethings, millennials) to about age 35. Her purpose is to seek out and train up the Next Generation (NexGen) of Followers of Jesus Christ.

Accountant and Human Resources - Toni Cloud Toni.Cloud@flcspc.com

Toni started working for FLCS in 2004.  However, she is no stranger to First Lutheran as she has been walking the halls of First Lutheran since 1975 as a student in our school.  She is a graduate of Ponca City High school and University of Central Oklahoma.  She spent more than twenty five years married to her husband, Shane, before losing him. Together they had three awesome boys and one precious daughter who are also graduates of FLS.  Her favorite pastime is encouraging women through moms groups, bible studies and websites she has created using social media to brighten the days of others.  She is a member of Ponca City Assembly of God but feels doubly blessed to also call First Lutheran her church family.   Her ministry at FLCS includes human resources, accounts payable and receivables, recording contributions, reconciling church and school bank accounts church offerings and processing various financial reports.

Church Secretary- Amanda Carrigan Amanda.Carrigan@flcspc.com 

Amanda began working at FLCS in May of 2024.