Leadership

Dr. Stagg earned his M.Div. from Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University, and his PhD from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. He was ordained as a minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 1995. A member of the Board of Trustees of Columbia College, a Disciples-affiliated college in Columbia, Brad and his wife Patricia have three children: Luke, Annie, and Noah.

Dr. Endress earned his M.Div from Vanderbilt Divinity School (Nashville, TN) in 2015 and his PhD from the University of Aberdeen (Scotland, UK) in 2021. Despite stints in TN, TX, and the UK, he considers himself solidly Midwestern, having grown up in Evansville IN. Topher currently helps run the Institute on Theology and Disability and is excited to explore the trails and wilderness of Missouri with his wife Sam and their son Wilson.

Rev. Sally Robinson was ordained in the Christian ministry in 1987.  She served congregations in Kentucky and Iowa.  In 1999 she returned to Missouri and began chaplain ministry in long-term care and retirement communities in Columbia, MO.  She has been the Director of Columbia Older Adult Ministry since 2005.

Topher Otake is currently pursuing his M.M. in Choral Conducting at the University of Missouri, where he also received his B.M. in Music Education. Originally from Chicago, Topher has been learning and teaching in Columbia since 2014. He began teaching vocal music at Moberly Middle School and West Middle School in 2018, before choosing to pursue his M.M. Topher is the music director of the Boonslick Chordbusters, and sings lead in the Boone County Hams, a barbershop quartet. He is also a conductor of Cambiare Young Men’s Chorus with Columbia Youth Choirs.

Rochelle previously served churches in Columbia, St. Louis, Chicago, Iowa, and California. She is professionally a medical doctor and serves as assistant professor/hospitalist with the University of Missouri General Medicine School/Clinic. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Jerry, and their two grown sons.

Travis brings a longtime passion for music and more than three decades of musical experience to First Christian Church's early service each week. He studied music and business at Graceland University, where he led and performed in several vocal and instrumental ensembles. In his spare time, Travis is active in the Columbia music scene and often plays in groups and studio sessions.

Hayley Batterson has supported children’s ministry at First Christian Church for the last seventeen years as a Sunday School teacher, a Children’s Worship leader, a VBS teacher & helper, our go-to Children’s Moment volunteer, and chair of the Christian Education (Children & Youth) Department. She is familiar with the program not only as a board member of the church, but also as a previous Mother’s Day Out parent. Hayley brings to this position nearly twenty years of professional sales and marketing experience that we believe will immensely benefit an ever-growing and evolving preschool program. We are so excited to have Hayley on our team!