Elders
First Pres of Aurora is led by a plurality of elders. Major decisions are made by a team of Teaching Elders and Ruling Elders (together known as the Session). Our Session consists of seven active elders who are responsible for overseeing the spiritual, administrative, and leadership ministry of the church. Our current elders:
Mike Baker
James Kinnard
Anne Miller
Kathy Russell
Mary Faye Vasen
John Wallbaum
John Young
CHURCH Staff
Pastor Scott Hesler - Transitional Pastor
In July 2025, we welcomed Scott as our Transitional Pastor. Scott will serve First Pres as we prepare to call our next long-term Senior Pastor.
J. Scott Hesler graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Christian education from Taylor University and from Dallas Theological Seminary. He was a youth pastor in California, a volunteer area director for Young Life, a leader in Surfing Expeditions and Adventures, a church growth consultant in Australia for Church Resource Ministries, English pastor the Chinese Christian Church of Greater Washington, D.C., founder of CrossTraining/Dangerous and Daring Adventure Club for Boys and Girls, an interim pastor in Washington, D.C. and West Virginia, and senior pastor of Potomac Baptist Church in Potomac Falls, Virginia. He is married with four children.
Rev. Nate Klinger - Interim Music Director
Nate serves as our Interim Music Director, providing leadership and coordination for the music ministry at First Presbyterian Church. He fosters corporate worship that is Godward, Scripture-saturated, and Christ-exalting—helping our church lift its voice in praise and respond to who God is and all he has done.
With more than 35 years of ministry experience, Nate has served across a variety of church traditions and brings an appreciation for everything from ancient hymns to modern worship. Trained as a classical pianist, he has also toured professionally in country music and loves exploring the full range of musical styles.
Nate holds a Master of Divinity from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary and is ordained in the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference (CCCC). He and his wife, Jen, have five children and three grandchildren.
Email: nate@firstpresaurora.org
Rev. Dr. Karen Roberts - Pastor of Congregational Care
Karen works closely with our elders and deacons to ensure we are caring for the needs of our congregation, with a special focus on serving those impacted by disability, grief, or physical and health challenges.
Karen and her husband Dale have three grown children, four grandchildren and have been part of First Pres. since the 70’s. She holds a Doctorate in Worship Studies from The Robert E. Webber Institute of Worship Studies, a MWS from Northern Theological Seminary and a MME (Music Education for Special Learners) from Wichita State University.
Music is an important part of Karen’s life. She loves being involved with the worship and music ministry of FPC. Her most recent musical interest is learning to play the cello.
Email: kroberts@firstpresaurora.org
“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Britta Wallbaum - Children and Family Ministries
Britta oversees our ministries to children (birth-5th grade) and their parents. She has degrees in Christian Formation & Ministry and Architecture, and is passionate about involving kids in the worshiping life of the church, helping them know God and his gospel story, and resourcing parents in family discipleship. Many of the resources she has created, including The Gospel Story Hymnal, are available on her website, wordandwonder.org.
Britta has been a part of the First Pres family since 2004, but only just joined the staff in 2023. She's married to Jim, and they have four kids: Linnea, William, Anders, and Alijah (who is their foster son, and on the autism spectrum.) She has no spare time, because she has four kids and is always planning or creating something new, but loves to read, watercolor, and spend time adventuring in the woods when she can.
Email: britta@firstpresaurora.org
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”
Brenda Bustamante - Ministry Assistant
Brenda is our neighborhood after-school program, and Summer Day Camp ministry staff. Brenda is also the bilingual Hispanic Liaison for our church. At a young age she surrendered her life to Jesus and discovered her call to ministry through organizing and supervising Vacation Bible School for her home church in Monterrey, Mexico. Brenda has a desire to help children build a spiritual foundation through which they can come to know Jesus Christ personally and grow in their relationship with Him. Today she is married to Bernardo and a proud mother of Bella.
Brenda's hobbies include photography and watching movies.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.
Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed,
for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go”
Melissa Beneke - Office Administration / Support
Melissa's many tasks as Administrative Assistant include: church contributions, Website design, Bulletin/ Newsletter editor and maintaining Church Records. She started working with First Pres in December of 2014. Melissa is passionate about working with others to communicate the mission and vision of First Pres. She has a BA in English and Communication from Aurora University. She was involved with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship during college.
Melissa’s hobbies include golfing, quilting, cooking, and traveling.
Email: mbeneke@firstpresaurora.org
“He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.”
James Kinnard - Interim Church Administrator
Currently serving on Session, James oversees our church operations to keep our ministries organized and our mission moving forward. He is the Founder & CEO of Useful Group, with a B.A. in Biblical Studies and Theology from Wheaton College and 4/5 of an MBA. James is married to Sarah, and they have four children.
Email: admin@firstpresaurora.org