Staff

Rev. Barrett C. Milner

• BA, University of Kentucky
• MDiv., Lexington Theological Seminary

Pastor Barrett C. Milner began his ministry with the First Presbyterian Church family in Oxford in June of 2020.  Before answering the call to serve as the congregation’s 26^th Pastor and Head of Staff, he most recently served churches in New Orleans, LA and Lexington, KY.  Rev. Milner received his undergraduate degree from the University of Kentucky and completed his Master of Divinity at the Lexington Theological Seminary.  Barrett is married to his life-long friend and fellow Lexington native, Carrie, and together they are the proud parents of three wonderful, charming, and incorrigible boys: Cole, Tucker, and Price.

Along with a heart for mission and justice and a devotion to his vocation, Barrett also brings to Oxford and the First Church family a love of books, of good conversation, and of music—both playing and listening.  He brings his passion for all things immersed in God’s creation: hiking, fishing, canoeing, and simply being.  And he brings with him, too, an open mind, an open heart, and an openness to the murmurings and nudging of the Spirit.

Creighton Holder

• BM, MM, University of Southern Mississippi

Creighton Holder currently serves as Director of Music (Organist/Choirmaster) at the First Presbyterian Church of Oxford, Mississippi where he programs all service music, coordinates the Music at First concert series, and teaches in the Music at First piano studio. Creighton is active in the Oxford community as Co-Director of the Oxford Civic Chorus, Subdean of the Oxford-University of Mississippi chapter of the American Guild of Organists, and as a collaborative pianist in the University of Mississippi music department. He also serves as the Music in Worship chair for the Mississippi American Choral Directors Association.

Creighton is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi where he earned degrees in piano performance and choral conducting; his primary instructors were Dr. Ellen Price Elder and Dr. Gregory Fuller. He recently completed the Certificate in Injury-Preventive Keyboard Technique at Salem College (Winston-Salem, North Carolina) under the instruction of Dr. Barbara Lister-Sink.

Frances Saralvarez

Kate Hill

Kaitlin Hill joined our church staff in early 2022 as our Communications Director and Administrative Assistant. She is in charge of weekly/monthly/yearly tasks of keeping our congregation in the loop of what is going on in our FPC community.

Kaitlin grew up in Olive Branch, MS. She attended Holmes Community College to play soccer, and then moved onto Belhaven University to play soccer there, while also receiving her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science. While she had all intentions of being a Physical Therapist once graduating, life decided other avenues for her. “I never would have imagined I would end up in a communications position, but I would not trade it for anything. I cherish he connections I have made with the people of the church and the staff I work alongside with. Life has a funny way of working out, it is all about trusting the process. I am very happy with where it has lead me thus far”.  Kaitlin currently resides in Oxford with her fiancé’ Austin, and their little girl Elsie Ruth.

Wendy Brady

Wade Simpson

Dave Garvey

Dave Garvey originally hails from the great state of Indiana. After graduating from Indiana University, he spent time working with young people in churches and parachurches in Indiana, Wisconsin, Tennessee and now Mississippi. Dave joined the staff at First Presbyterian Church in Oxford in March of 20222 to serve as the Director of Faith Formation for Children and Youth. His passion in ministry is found in helping young people realize the ways that God is working in their lives so that they can join in on God’s transforming work in their families, schools, churches, communities, and worlds.

When not at church, you will most likely find Dave deep in the misery of cheering for the Indiana Hoosiers and the Indianapolis Colts, ‘fixing’ something in the yard, or finding some adventure with his wife Christian, daughter Bowen and son Red.