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 of Divinity (MDiv), he spent another year at the seminary making progress toward his Master 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 five beautiful children; James, Elisa, Mia, Annalie, and Cameron.
A jack of all trades, master of none, Joseph has a variety of interests. He enjoys all things athletic, both playing them (poorly) and following them 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. He 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 Joe 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

Rachell Highley serves First Lutheran Church and School as Deaconess. She was called and installed into her position in July 2024 and is grateful for the opportunity to serve Christ and His people in the place God has given her. Rachell holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Missouri State University and a Master’s degree in Spiritual Care from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. As a deaconess in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, she serves as a professional church worker whose vocation centers on sharing the mercy of Christ through spiritual care, works of mercy, and teaching the Christian faith. The word deaconess comes from the Greek diakonos, meaning “servant,” and this spirit of humble service is at the heart of Rachell’s ministry. In her ministry at First Lutheran, Rachell assists with teaching religion at First Lutheran School and serves as superintendent of the church’s confirmation program. She leads the women’s ministry and women’s Bible studies, provides spiritual care and counseling to members in need, and visits members who are homebound or hospitalized. She also oversees the Care Ministries Board, which coordinates ministries of mercy including the First Lutheran Food Pantry and the congregation’s benevolence to individuals and families in need through the Aid to Needy Fund. Rachell especially enjoys teaching the Christian faith to people of all ages and walking alongside members of the congregation through the joys and sorrows of life. She considers it a privilege to serve not only in the significant moments of life, but also in the ordinary, everyday moments in which Christians are called to walk together as the body of Christ. Whether through a Bible study, a hospital visit, a conversation over coffee, a lesson with a child, or practical assistance to a family in need, she seeks to reflect the mercy of Christ and point others to the hope and comfort found in Him. Before receiving her call as a deaconess, Rachell worked in pro-life ministry, directing a pro-life advocacy nonprofit organization and pregnancy center in Missouri. This experience shaped her passion for caring for people in both tangible and spiritual ways and continues to inform her desire to serve Christ’s people and her community. Rachell married her husband, Joseph Highley, in 2015. Together they have five children: James, Elisa, Mia, Annalie, and Cameron. Her family is an important part of her life and ministry, and she is especially thankful for the opportunities God gives her to teach and live out the Christian faith in the midst of ordinary family life. Above all, Rachell is thankful for the privilege of serving God’s people. Her desire is to serve faithfully wherever she is needed, trusting that Christ has called His people to love and serve one another as He has first loved and served us.

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. Together they share four children. Katie 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, seeking her Master's in Theology with DCE certification.
Jennifer is married to Jason and has three daughters, all of whom are graduates of FLS. They joined the First Lutheran Church family in 2015 when her husband's 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 wherever she can.
Jennifer's ministry at FLCS is to stimulate and direct ministry for the next generation of Christians and leaders in our congregation, particularly junior high and high school youth, as well as young adults (20-somethings, millennials). Her purpose is to seek out and train up the Next Generation (NextGen) of Followers of Jesus Christ.

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

Amanda joined the staff at First Lutheran Church and School in 2024. She has two children, Cameron and Caitlynn, who are both serving in the United States Armed Forces. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Amanda later moved to Oklahoma, where she graduated from Northwest Classen High School in Oklahoma City. She earned her certification as a pharmacy technician through Odessa College before eventually settling in Blackwell, Oklahoma. While there, she became a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where she met her late husband, Don. Following Don's passing, Amanda moved to Ponca City and transferred her membership to First Lutheran Church. She is an active member of the LWML, serving both Trinity and First Lutheran.
Amanda enjoys getting to know everyone who comes into the church office and looks forward to serving the congregation in whatever way she can.