Our Staff

The Rev. Dr. Clay Brown,
Pastor

clay@mooresvillefirstpres.org

A native of Texas, Clay began serving FPC as its Pastor in June 2006 after serving as Associate Pastor for Christian Formation and Discipleship at Grace Presbyterian Church, Houston, Texas (1999-2006) and 15+ years previous ministry in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Clay holds to the classic doctrines of “mere Christianity” in general and the Reformed tradition in particular. He describes himself as “a confessional evangelical called to serve in the PCUSA.” He is committed to Christ as Lord; to the Bible as trustworthy, true, and authoritative; to preaching expository sermons through Biblical books; to the Great Commandment and Great Commission’s significance for us; and to the importance of the local congregation in what God is doing in the world.

He is married to his best friend, Cathy, a public school teacher with a gift for humor and for nurturing middle school students. Together they have three children: a daughter, Taylor, a youth director in San Antonio, TX, and a Princeton Seminary graduate in youth ministry; a son, Blake, a student at UNC Wilmington with a career goal of working in sports administration; and a son, Collin, a student at Mooresville High and a student of the bass guitar.

A sports nut, Clay roots passionately for the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Longhorns, Houston Astros, and Houston Rockets, but he roots for teams in North Carolina too (he just won’t tell you which ones!). He also enjoys playing tennis and table tennis and watching almost anything on the ever-expanding ESPN family of networks.

In his service to the larger church, he is a member of Salem Presbytery’s Committee on Ministry. In other presbyteries, he has served as a member of committees on preparation for ministry, Christian education, and missions, and he has led presbytery workshops on Bible study and small group studies for congregations.

Clay has a Ph.D. in Philosophy and Apologetics from Trinity Theological Seminary and the University of Liverpool, writing his dissertation on his favorite author, C. S. Lewis (whom he quotes regularly in sermons and on whom he occasionally presents papers at conferences). He also has a M.Div. from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, a M.A. in Communication from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a B.A. in English from East Texas Baptist College.

The Rev. Dr. Fred Coates,
Associate Pastor
fred@mooresvillefirstpres.org
Originally from Canada, Fred has lived in the south long enough to pass as a native.  A graduate of the University of NC at Chapel Hill (1972, B.S. in Business Administration) and Union Theological Seminary (1979, D. Min.) in Richmond, Virginia, Fred has served as Associate Pastor since June of 1979.  He and his wife, Jean, enjoy their two adult children, Andrew, who resides with his wife, Kathryn, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and Ashley Schaen, who lives in Mooresville with her husband, Josh, and their three children, Jackson, Campbell and Carson.  Fred and Jean have been very involved in the work of our church at the Mwandi Mission Hospital in Mwandi, Zambia.

The Rev. Tyler Domske,
Associate Pastor for Youth
tyler@mooresvillefirstpres.org

Tyler has served as associate pastor for youth at FPC since June of 2008.  He is a graduate of Westminster College (1998, B.A. in History), and was a public high school teacher in Pennsylvania, Florida, and Illinois prior to entering into the ministry.  After graduating from the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary (2008, M. Div), he was ordained by Shenango Presbytery at his home church on June 8, 2008.

Tyler's wife Adrien spent several years as a marine mammal trainer, working with dolphins, walruses, seals, sea lions, and otters.  She now works part-time for Davidson College in the Biology lab "getting paid to be a five year old," spending much of her time tromping through the woods looking for frogs, snakes, and salamanders.

Adrien & Tyler are both originally from just north of Pittsburgh, PA, and know the bittersweet truth of concurrently being fans of historically the best team in one sport (the Steelers), and the worst team in another (the Pirates).  They have three cats, two snakes, and a dog (which depending on your perspective, makes them either cool or weird).

Ellen Auten,
Director of Christian Education
ellen@mooresvillefirstpres.org

Ellen Auten has served as Director of Christian Education at First Presbyterian since 1999.  Originally from Roanoke, VA, she is a graduate of Salem College in Winston-Salem, NC, with a B.A. in History and teacher certification in grades K-9.  A former elementary school teacher, she and her husband, Mark, have three daughters:  Mary Ellen, a high school math teacher; Laura, a pre-nursing student at UNC-Charlotte; and Rebecca, a ninth grader.  Ellen enjoys the opportunity to work with all ages in her responsibilities as DCE, and considers it a privilege and joy to work in the educational ministries at First Pres.  She is able to combine her love of teaching and learning with our instructions to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ" (II Peter 3:18), and encourages the congregation to participate fully in the educational opportunities available.   

Alan Sledge,
Director of Music and Interim Youth Director

alan@mooresvillefirstpres.org

A true “Carolinian” Alan was born in Spartanburg, SC and grew up in the country outside Charlotte, NC.  He earned his BS in Music Education at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC prior to teaching school in Charlotte.  During that time Alan served as Director of Music at Central Steele Creek Presbyterian Church before arriving at Mooresville First Presbyterian in September of 1997.  Here, he oversees all the music ensembles from 1^st grade through adults, including instrumental ensembles, handbells and choirs.  From August of 2006 to June of 2008, he added the role of Interim Youth Director to his music responsibilities.  Alan and his wife LuAnne have three children, sons Graham and Jordan attend Mooresville High and daughter Cameron is a third grader at Mooresville Intermediate School.

Nellie Goodman,
Administrative Secretary

nellie@mooresvillefirstpres.org

Nellie is a recent transplant from Annapolis, Maryland where she served as a church secretary.  She feels right at home here in Mooresville and is thankful that God has led her to First Pres.  She is the mother of four and grandmother of four; all who live within a day’s driving distance of her.  She enjoys serving the Lord as a church secretary and is an avid gardener in her spare time.  In addition, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends and exploring the beautiful Carolina countryside.  Her passion is to have a heart that praises God at all times.

Nancy Kortright,
Weekday Preschool Director

nancy@mooresvillefistpres.org

Married to Mark; 3 children, Brett, Keegan and Kevin

Resident of Mooresville since 1988; Director of the Preschool since 1993.  Member of First Pres. since 1993.  I love my work because of the tremendous joy that comes from being with children.  There is laughter everyday.

LuAnne Sledge,
Treasurer

luanne@mooresvillefirstpres.org

Jerilyn Fair,
Church Hostess

jerilyn@mooresvillefirstpres.org

Christy Floyd
Organist

christy@mooresvillefirstpres.org

Billy Black,
Custodian

Beth Mikels,
Part-time Receptionist