Meet Our Staff
The staff at First Presbyterian Church are reflections of God’s people at work in the Lord’s service and for the good of the church. If there is any way in which we can serve you, please let us know.
Rev. John Pruitt, Pastor
Rev John Pruitt became the Pastor at First Presbyterian in Kernersville, NC on April 1, 2017. John is originally from Inman, SC, and earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of South Carolina in 1986. He served as the Director of Bands at Westside High School in Anderson, SC for ten years.
After attending Princeton Theological Seminary, where he received a Master of Divinity in 1999, he has served churches in Gastonia, NC, Belmont, NC, and Rock Hill SC. In addition John spent four years doing Chaplaincy work.
John believes that the worship of God is the central and defining event in the life of a church. With his background in education, he also has a strong interest in teaching and spiritual growth. In addition, he highly values an outwardly focused church that places a strong emphasis on mission, service, and care giving.
Serving the Presbyterian Church USA at both the local and national levels through various committees and boards; he has also been active in the local community through a wide variety of groups such as Family Promise, Habitat for Humanity, and food and poverty organizations.
John has two children, Jacob, 20, and Mary Grace, 18. In his spare time he enjoys music, reading, history, and sports.
Ms Jane Johnson, Church Secretary
The Church Secretary is responsible for all of the administrative duties connected with the church office and serves as administrative assistant to the pastor. Jane relocated from Wisconsin over 20 years ago and settled in Kernersville. She has 40 plus years experience in administration, customer service, instructional classroom teaching, early childhood development and graphic arts. She has been our church secretary since 2005. Jane’s great-grandfather was a Presbyterian Minister who preached in both German and English. She is a descendant of George Ross, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and related to Betsy Ross, who made our country’s flag, through marriage.
Stan Stigall, Music Director
Stan was born and raised in Kernersville and is a life-long member of Pisgah United Methodist Church.
He has been a music student since the third grade and actively involved in church music since junior high school. Stan worked very actively with Mrs. Blackwell, Choral Director, and was involved with the band at East Forsyth High School.
After attending Elon College for his undergraduate in music education, Stan went on the road with Bill Pinkney and The Original Drifters and then with The Glen Miller Orchestra.
Upon returning home in 1978, he started The Sound Express Band and in 2010 he added four singers which became The Legacy Motown Revue. You may have seen or heard them play at Kernersville’s Spring Folly in May.